Cajun Comfort White Bean and Ham Soup
Indulge in a bowl of our Cajun Comfort White Bean and Ham Soup, where rich Southern flavors come alive in a hearty blend of great northern beans, tender ham, and an array of vibrant vegetables. This recipe weaves together the warmth of Cajun spices and the comforting essence of a homemade soup. Perfect for chilly evenings, this dish not only nourishes the body but also warms the soul with its delightful medley of flavors. Easy to prepare and great for gatherings, it's an all-time favorite that will have everyone asking for seconds!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Great Northern Beans
8 ounces (Rinsed and soaked)
Water
to cover beans and an additional 5 cups (N/A)
Canned Tomatoes
16 ounces (Cut up, undrained)
Ham Bone or Smoked Pork Hock
1 cup (Meaty bone)
Onion
1 large (Chopped)
Green Pepper
1/2 cup (Chopped)
Celery
1/2 cup (Chopped)
Garlic Cloves
2 (Minced)
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (N/A)
Bottled Hot Pepper Sauce
1/4 teaspoon (N/A)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (N/A)
Instructions
1
Begin by rinsing the great northern beans under cold water. In a 4-quart Dutch oven, combine the rinsed beans with enough water to cover them completely. Bring the water to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 2 minutes.
2
Remove the pot from heat, cover it, and let the beans sit for 1 to 2 hours to soften. After soaking, drain the beans and rinse them again under cold water.
3
Return the soaked beans to the Dutch oven and add 5 cups of water, the undrained canned tomatoes, the meaty ham bone or smoked pork hock, chopped onion, green pepper, celery, minced garlic, black pepper, hot pepper sauce, and salt.
4
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 3 hours, or until the beans are tender and the flavors meld beautifully.
5
Once the beans are tender, carefully remove the ham bone from the soup. Allow it to cool slightly, then cut the meat off the bone, discarding any fat and cartilage. Return the diced ham to the soup and warm it through.
6
Taste the soup, adjusting seasoning with additional hot pepper sauce or salt as desired. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if you like!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cajun Comfort White Bean and Ham Soup?
It is a hearty Southern-style soup featuring great northern beans, tender ham, and a blend of vibrant vegetables with Cajun spices.
What kind of beans are used in this recipe?
This recipe uses 8 ounces of Great Northern beans.
How long do the beans need to soak?
The beans should soak for 1 to 2 hours after an initial 2-minute boil.
Can I use a substitute for the ham bone?
Yes, you can use a smoked pork hock instead of a meaty ham bone.
How much water is needed for the main cooking stage?
You should add 5 cups of water to the Dutch oven after the beans have been soaked and drained.
Should I drain the canned tomatoes?
No, the 16 ounces of canned tomatoes should be used undrained and cut up.
What vegetables are included in this soup?
The soup includes onion, green pepper, celery, and garlic cloves.
How much onion is required?
The recipe calls for 1 large chopped onion.
How much green pepper is used?
You will need 1/2 cup of chopped green pepper.
How much celery is added?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of chopped celery.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
Two minced garlic cloves are used in this soup.
How long does the soup simmer?
The mixture should simmer for 3 hours until the beans are tender.
What type of pot is best for this recipe?
A 4-quart Dutch oven is recommended for preparing this soup.
How is the ham prepared for the final soup?
After simmering, the meat is cut off the bone, diced, and returned to the soup while fat and cartilage are discarded.
Does this soup contain hot sauce?
Yes, it uses 1/4 teaspoon of bottled hot pepper sauce for flavor.
Can I adjust the spiciness of the soup?
Yes, you can adjust the seasoning with additional hot pepper sauce or salt as desired before serving.
Is this recipe considered easy?
Yes, the recipe is described as easy to prepare and an all-time favorite for gatherings.
What is the first step in preparing the beans?
The first step is to rinse the great northern beans under cold water.
How much salt is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
What kind of pepper is recommended?
The recipe specifies 1/4 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper.
Should the beans be boiled before soaking?
Yes, bring them to a rolling boil and simmer uncovered for 2 minutes before removing from heat to soak.
Do I need to rinse the beans after soaking?
Yes, you should drain and rinse the beans again under cold water after the soaking period.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients total, including water and seasonings.
Is this soup good for cold weather?
Yes, it is described as perfect for chilly evenings to nourish the body and warm the soul.
What is the primary flavor profile?
It features rich Southern flavors with a medley of Cajun spices and savory ham.
Can I garnish the soup?
Yes, you can garnish the soup with fresh herbs if you like.
What is the total simmering time?
The total simmering time is approximately 3 hours and 2 minutes, excluding the soaking time.
Should the pot be covered during the 3-hour simmer?
Yes, the pot should be covered while the soup simmers on low heat.
What happens to the flavors during the long simmer?
The long simmer allows the beans to become tender and the flavors to meld beautifully.
Is this recipe suitable for large groups?
Yes, it is noted as being great for gatherings.