Hearty 15 Bean and Ham Soup
Warm up your soul with this Hearty 15 Bean and Ham Soup, a delightful mix of flavors and textures that perfectly embodies comfort food. Packed with protein-rich beans and savory ham, this soup is not only budget-friendly but also incredibly easy to prepare. With a variety of beans combined with fresh vegetables, garlic, and aromatic spices, this dish is perfect for any chilly evening or game day gathering. Whether you serve it as a hearty meal on its own or alongside some crusty bread, this soup will satisfy any appetite. It's also a great way to use up any leftover ham, making it an excellent choice for post-holiday meals. Enjoy the wonderful aromas that linger in your kitchen and the hearty goodness in every spoonful!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried 15 bean mix
1 (16-20 ounce bag, with seasoning pack)
Tomato sauce
1 (8 ounce can)
Ham hocks
3 (or 1 meaty ham bone)
Diced tomatoes
1 (16 ounce can)
Garlic
1/2 (head, minced)
Onion
1 (chopped)
Celery
3 (stalks, chopped)
Carrots
3 (chopped)
Chicken bouillon cubes
2
Water
6 (cups)
Bay leaves
2
Seasoning salt
to taste
Pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
Begin by presoak the dried 15 bean mix overnight in water. Alternatively, you can boil them for 2 minutes and then let them sit for 1 hour if you're short on time.
2
In a large crockpot, combine the soaked beans (drained), tomato sauce, ham hocks (or meaty ham bone), diced tomatoes, minced garlic, chopped onion, chopped celery, chopped carrots, chicken bouillon cubes, water, and bay leaves.
3
Add seasoning salt and pepper to taste, adjusting according to your preference.
4
Cook on high for 6 to 8 hours, or until the beans are tender and the flavors meld beautifully. Alternatively, if you prefer stove top cooking, simmer on low for 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
5
Once cooked, carefully remove the ham hocks or bone and strip the meat off. Return the shredded meat to the pot for added flavor and texture.
6
Remove the bay leaves before serving.
7
Serve hot and ENJOY your delicious Hearty 15 Bean and Ham Soup!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty 15 Bean and Ham Soup?
It is a comforting and protein-rich meal featuring a variety of beans, savory ham, and fresh vegetables.
How many beans are in the mix used for this recipe?
The recipe uses a 16-20 ounce bag of a dried 15 bean mix.
How should I prepare the dried beans before cooking?
You should presoak the dried beans overnight in water to ensure they cook properly.
Is there a faster way to soak the beans?
Yes, you can boil them for 2 minutes and then let them sit for 1 hour if you are short on time.
What type of ham is best for this soup?
You can use 3 ham hocks or one meaty ham bone for the best flavor.
Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes, combine all ingredients in a crockpot and cook on high for 6 to 8 hours.
Can I cook this recipe on the stove?
Yes, simmer on low for 3 to 4 hours on the stove top, stirring occasionally.
What vegetables are needed for this soup?
The recipe requires chopped onion, celery, carrots, and minced garlic.
How much garlic should I use?
The recipe calls for half a head of garlic, minced.
What tomato products are included in the recipe?
You will need one 8-ounce can of tomato sauce and one 16-ounce can of diced tomatoes.
How much liquid is required?
The recipe calls for 6 cups of water along with 2 chicken bouillon cubes.
Do I need to remove the bay leaves?
Yes, you should remove the two bay leaves before serving the soup.
What do I do with the ham hocks once the soup is done?
Carefully remove them, strip the meat off the bone, and return the shredded meat to the pot.
Is this a budget-friendly meal?
Yes, it is specifically noted as a budget-friendly and easy-to-prepare dish.
Can I use leftover holiday ham?
Yes, this recipe is an excellent way to use up leftover ham from holiday meals.
Is this soup suitable for cold weather?
Yes, it is described as a perfect meal for chilly evenings and cold weather.
Can I serve this at a party?
Yes, it is a great dish for game day gatherings and other group events.
Should I use the seasoning pack that comes with the beans?
Yes, the instructions suggest using the 16-20 ounce bag with its seasoning pack.
How many carrots are needed?
The recipe calls for 3 chopped carrots.
How many stalks of celery are used?
The recipe uses 3 chopped stalks of celery.
What are some recommended side dishes?
This soup is great served alongside some crusty bread.
Is this soup healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy meal options because it is packed with beans and fresh vegetables.
Can this be made vegetarian?
While the recipe uses ham, it is tagged with a vegetarian option, which would involve omitting the meat and bouillon.
How do I season the soup?
Season with seasoning salt and pepper to taste, adjusting according to your preference.
What is the texture of the soup like?
It is a hearty soup with a delightful mix of textures from the various beans and shredded ham.
How long should the beans be tender?
The beans should be tender after 6-8 hours on high in a crockpot or 3-4 hours on the stove.
Does the recipe require specific chicken bouillon?
It requires 2 chicken bouillon cubes to be added to the water.
Is the onion cooked before adding to the pot?
No, the chopped onion is added raw to the crockpot or stove pot with the other ingredients.
What is the main protein source?
The primary protein sources are the 15 bean mix and the ham.
Can I adjust the salt levels?
Yes, the seasoning salt and pepper should be added to taste at your discretion.