Hearty Ham and Bean Soup

Name: Hearty Ham and Bean Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 Tbsp unsalted butter; 1 Tbsp olive oil; 1 ham bone; 2 carrots; 2 talks celery; 1 medium yellow onion; 3 cloves garlic; 3 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans; 2 cups diced cooked ham; 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp dried thyme; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp dried rosemary; 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes; 4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth; 2 cups water; 2 dried bay leaves; salt

User Reviews

5.0

39 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings
6 servings
Calories
204 kcal
Course
Main Course, Soup
Cuisine
American

Hearty Ham and Bean Soup

Dominic Jacobs

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This ultra hearty Ham and Bean Soup is perfect for using up that leftover holiday ham! After all the holiday cooking, you could use something soul-warming and comforting.

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Ingredients

Servings

1 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 ham bone check below for substitutions
2 carrots chopped
2 talks celery chopped
1 medium yellow onion diced
3 cloves garlic minced
3 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans rinsed and drained well
2 cups diced cooked ham from leftover spiral ham, or store-bought ham steaks
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
2 cups water
2 dried bay leaves (optional)
salt to taste

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Instructions

Heat butter and olive oil in a large dutch oven or stockpot over MED HIGH. Once hot, add the ham bone and brown on all sides, about 2 minutes per side. Set ham bone aside on a plate.
Reduce heat to MED, and add carrots, celery, and onion. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring often, until softened.
Add garlic and cook another minute.
Add beans, diced ham, Italian seasoning, cumin, thyme, black pepper, rosemary, and red pepper flakes (if using). Pour in chicken broth, water, and add bay leaves (if using), then give everything a gentle stir.
Return ham bone to the pot, nestling it in, along with any juices that have accumulated on the plate (those are full of flavor).
Increase heat to MED HIGH and cover. Once soup has come to a high simmer or gentle boil, reduce heat to MED LOW and simmer for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally, as the beans and ham can settle to the bottom and you don't want them to scorch.
Remove ham bone and bay leaves (if used), and give the soup a taste. If needed, add a pinch of salt. Ham bones contain a lot of sodium, so I prefer to add the salt afterwards, if needed. Serve hot.

Notes

If you want to make this soup, but don't have a ham bone, don't worry... you can still make a delicious meal.
However did you know you can usually get a ham bone from a butcher for a pretty inexpensive price? So if you can, I would try to pick one up. If not, read on:
Add beans, diced ham, Italian seasoning, cumin, thyme, black pepper, rosemary, and red pepper flakes (if using). Pour in chicken broth and water and give everything a gentle stir. Nestle in ham bone.
Ham shank. These are pretty meaty, and are the best substitute for a ham bone.
Ham hock. These have the bone, but don't usually have very much meat on them, so you won't get as much meaty flavor.
Additional diced ham. If you can't find any of those two options, I would just add a little extra diced ham, up to an extra cup. I'd also use all chicken broth, instead of the broth/water combo.
Keep all ingredient amounts the same.
Sear ham bone in butter and oil in a skillet.
Add all other ingredients to a 6 quart or larger slow cooker and nestle in the ham bone.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
Remove ham bone and bay leaves (if used), and serve.
Keep all ingredients the same.
Add butter and oil to Instant Pot insert and select "saute". Once hot, add ham bone and brown on all sides, about 2 minutes per side. Remove to a plate.
Add carrots, celery and onion and cook about 4-5 minutes, until softened.
Add garlic and cook about 30 seconds.
Add beans, diced ham, Italian seasoning, cumin, thyme, black pepper, rosemary, and red pepper flakes (if using). Pour in chicken broth and water and give everything a gentle stir. Nestle in ham bone.
Cancel "saute". Secure lid, moving the valve to "sealing". Select "pressure cook" or "manual" and cook on high pressure for 7 minutes.
Once the cooking time has elapsed, move the valve to "venting" to perform a quick release. When the pin has dropped, remove the lid.
Remove ham bone and bay leaves (if used), and serve.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Calories 204kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 7g (2%) Protein 19g (38%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 63mg (21%) Sodium 991mg (41%) Potassium 505mg (14%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 3558IU (71%) Vitamin C 22mg (24%) Calcium 46mg (5%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 204 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories	204kcal	10%
Carbohydrates	7g	2%
Protein	19g	38%
Fat	11g	17%
Saturated Fat	3g	15%
Polyunsaturated Fat	1g	6%
Monounsaturated Fat	5g	25%
Trans Fat	1g	50%
Cholesterol	63mg	21%
Sodium	991mg	41%
Potassium	505mg	11%
Fiber	1g	4%
Sugar	2g	4%
Vitamin A	3558IU	71%
Vitamin C	22mg	24%
Calcium	46mg	5%
Iron	2mg	11%