Cajun Red Bean and Ham Soup
This hearty Cajun Red Bean and Ham Soup is a comforting dish that brings together the rich flavors of smoked ham and tender red kidney beans, simmered to perfection in a savory broth. Inspired by a traditional Cajun cookbook, this recipe is perfect for a family gathering or a cozy night in. While the beans require an overnight soak, the rest of the prep is quick, making it a great choice for a warming meal. Serve it with crusty bread or over rice for an even heartier meal.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried red kidney beans
2 cups (soaked overnight and drained)
Butter
2 tablespoons (melted)
Onion
1 large (peeled and chopped)
Garlic
1 clove (peeled and minced)
Celery
1 stalk (chopped (with leaves))
Carrot
1 large (peeled and chopped)
Smoked ham
1/2 lb (cut into large chunks)
Ham bone
1 large (optional) (if available)
Water
2 quarts (for simmering)
Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon
Fresh parsley
2 tablespoons (chopped)
Dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon
Bay leaves
2
Lemon juice
2 tablespoons
Dried hot red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon
Salt
to taste
Pepper
to taste
Fresh parsley
for garnish (chopped)
Instructions
1
Rinse the soaked red kidney beans and place them in a large saucepan. Cover the beans with fresh water and bring to a rapid boil. Boil for 10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
2
In a Dutch oven or very large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped celery, and chopped carrot. Cook, covered, for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened.
3
Stir in the reserved beans, chunks of smoked ham, ham bone (if using), 2 quarts of water, Worcestershire sauce, fresh parsley, dried thyme, bay leaves, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
4
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 2 hours, or until the beans are very soft and the flavors have melded together.
5
After simmering, remove and discard the ham bone. Scoop out the chunks of ham, shred or chop them into bite-sized pieces, and set aside.
6
Press the soup through a fine sieve into another pot to create a smoother texture, discarding any solids in the sieve. Stir the diced ham back into the soup.
7
Reheat the soup gently, tasting and adjusting the seasoning as needed.
8
Ladle the hot soup into bowls, garnishing with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot, ideally with crusty bread or over rice.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cajun Red Bean and Ham Soup?
It is a hearty and comforting Cajun-inspired dish featuring smoked ham and red kidney beans simmered in a savory broth.
What type of beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of dried red kidney beans.
Do the beans need to be soaked?
Yes, the dried red kidney beans should be soaked overnight and drained before cooking.
What is the purpose of boiling the beans for 10 minutes?
Boiling the soaked beans for 10 minutes helps soften them and is a necessary safety step for certain types of dried beans.
Is a ham bone required for this soup?
A ham bone is optional but recommended if available to add deeper flavor to the broth.
What type of ham should I use?
The recipe specifies 1/2 lb of smoked ham cut into large chunks.
What vegetables are included in the base?
The soup base includes chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped celery (with leaves), and chopped carrot.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
The mixture should simmer uncovered for approximately 2 hours.
What herbs and spices provide the Cajun flavor?
The flavor comes from fresh parsley, dried thyme, bay leaves, and dried hot red pepper flakes.
Is the soup spicy?
The recipe includes 1/8 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, providing a mild heat that can be adjusted to taste.
What role does lemon juice play in the recipe?
Two tablespoons of lemon juice are added to brighten the flavors of the rich broth.
How do I achieve a smoother texture for the soup?
After simmering, you can press the soup through a fine sieve into another pot to remove solids and create a smoother base.
What do I do with the ham after simmering?
Scoop out the ham chunks, shred or chop them into bite-sized pieces, and stir them back into the soup after sieving.
Should I discard the bay leaves?
Yes, the bay leaves should be removed and discarded along with the ham bone before serving.
How should I serve Cajun Red Bean and Ham Soup?
It is best served hot, garnished with fresh parsley, and ideally accompanied by crusty bread or served over rice.
Can I use butter to sauté the vegetables?
Yes, the recipe uses 2 tablespoons of melted butter to soften the onions, garlic, celery, and carrots.
How much water is needed for the broth?
The recipe requires 2 quarts of water for the simmering process.
What is the first step in preparing the vegetables?
Melt the butter in a Dutch oven and cook the chopped vegetables covered for 8-10 minutes until softened.
Can I adjust the seasoning?
Yes, you should taste and adjust the salt and pepper levels during the final reheating stage.
Does the recipe use Worcestershire sauce?
Yes, one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce is included for added savory depth.
What size onion is recommended?
The recipe calls for one large onion, peeled and chopped.
Are the celery leaves used?
Yes, the recipe suggests using a stalk of celery chopped with its leaves.
Is this recipe suitable for a family gathering?
Yes, it is described as a perfect dish for family gatherings or cozy nights in.
How many garlic cloves are in the recipe?
The recipe uses one clove of peeled and minced garlic.
What kind of pot is best for this soup?
A Dutch oven or a very large saucepan is recommended for cooking.
Should the soup be covered while simmering?
No, the recipe specifies to let it simmer uncovered for the 2-hour duration.
Is the ham bone removed before serving?
Yes, remove and discard the ham bone after the simmering process is complete.
What is used for the garnish?
The soup is garnished with an extra sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley.
Can I use chicken stock instead of water?
While the recipe calls for water, you could use stock for even more flavor, though the ham and bone provide significant savory notes.
How do I prepare the ham chunks?
The smoked ham should be cut into large chunks before being added to the pot.