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4.9 from 270 votes

Easy Ham and Bean Soup

This ham and white bean soup recipe is hearty, uses pantry staples, and is as simple and quick as it gets to make on the stovetop! It's the best way to use up leftover ham.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 280 kcal
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 medium onion chopped finely
  • 1 large carrot peeled & chopped small
  • 3 sticks celery chopped small
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups cooked ham chopped (or more to taste)
  • 2 (14 ounce) cans White beans drained
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large soup pot. Sauté the onions, carrot, and celery for 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally (a little browning is good).
  2. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
  3. Add the Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, chicken broth, water, ham, and white beans to the pot. Increase the heat to high and bring it to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to medium (or medium low if it's bubbling too much), cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar, and let the soup simmer for 20-25 minutes (the flavor will intensify the longer you cook it so feel free to cook it for a bit longer). 
  4. Season with salt & pepper to taste. Ham can be quite salty, so be sure to add salt after it's cooked if you think it needs it. Optional: Take a potato masher and mash some of the beans right in the pot to create a slightly thicker texture or pulse an immersion blender a few times.

Notes

  • Use low-sodium chicken broth if sensitive to salt.
  • Crockpot method: try 8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. 
  • Instant Pot method: try 10 minutes on high pressure with a natural release.

Nutrition Information

Calories 280kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 37g (12%) Protein 21g (42%) Fat 6g (9%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Cholesterol 27mg (9%) Sodium 1030mg (43%) Potassium 1037mg (30%) Fiber 9g (36%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 1794IU (36%) Vitamin C 22mg (24%) Calcium 145mg (15%) Iron 6mg (33%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 280

% Daily Value*

Calories 280kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 37g 12%
Protein 21g 42%
Fat 6g 9%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 27mg 9%
Sodium 1030mg 43%
Potassium 1037mg 22%
Fiber 9g 36%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 1794IU 36%
Vitamin C 22mg 24%
Calcium 145mg 15%
Iron 6mg 33%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.