Savory Ham and Hearty Bean Soup
This savory ham and hearty bean soup is a perfect way to utilize leftover holiday ham, giving it new life in a comforting, flavorful dish. With a combination of creamy navy and cannellini beans, tender vegetables, and aromatic herbs, this soup is sure to warm your soul. Using a touch of olive oil for sautéing and the richness of the ham bone adds depth to the flavor, making every spoonful a delight. Ideal for chilly days, this soup serves up to 8 and can be made in under 4 hours, providing a hearty meal that satisfies and nurtures.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
cubed ham
2 cups (cubed)
pure olive oil
2 tablespoons (none)
large onion
1 (diced)
green onion
1 bunch (chopped)
large carrots
2 (diced)
celery ribs
2 (diced)
vegetable bouillon cube
1 (crumbled)
pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
navy beans
2 (15 ounce) cans (drained)
cannellini beans
2 (15 ounce) cans (drained)
black-eyed peas
1 (15 1/2 ounce) can (drained)
large potatoes
4 (peeled and diced (about 2 lb.))
Instructions
1
In a large Dutch oven, heat the pure olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the cubed ham, cooking and stirring frequently for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the ham is golden brown.
2
Once the ham is browned, add the diced onion, chopped green onions, diced carrots, and diced celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onions become translucent and tender.
3
Crumble the vegetable bouillon cube into the pot and sprinkle in the pepper, stirring to combine with the vegetable mixture.
4
Next, stir in the drained navy beans, cannellini beans, and black-eyed peas. If you have a ham bone, add it to the pot for enhanced flavor.
5
Pour in enough water to cover all the ingredients, then bring the mixture to a boil.
6
After boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and allow the soup to simmer for 45 minutes. Stir occasionally, ensuring nothing sticks to the bottom.
7
Before serving, remove and discard the ham bone. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with additional chopped green onions if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main flavor profile of this Savory Ham and Hearty Bean Soup?
The soup offers a savory and comforting flavor profile, combining salty ham with creamy beans, tender vegetables, and aromatic herbs.
How many servings does this ham and bean soup provide?
This recipe is designed to serve up to 8 people.
What is the total estimated time to prepare and cook this soup?
The soup can be prepared and cooked in under 4 hours.
Is this a good recipe for using leftover holiday ham?
Yes, it is a perfect way to utilize leftover holiday ham, giving it new life in a hearty dish.
Should I use a ham bone if I have one?
Absolutely, adding a ham bone to the pot during the simmering process will enhance the depth of flavor in the soup.
What types of beans are used in this recipe?
This recipe uses a combination of navy beans, cannellini beans, and black-eyed peas.
Should the beans be drained before adding them to the pot?
Yes, the navy beans, cannellini beans, and black-eyed peas should all be drained before being added to the soup.
What kind of oil should I use for sautéing the ingredients?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of pure olive oil.
How long should I cook the cubed ham at the beginning?
You should sauté the cubed ham for 6 to 8 minutes or until it becomes golden brown.
Which vegetables are included in the sauté mix?
The sauté mix includes a large onion, green onions, carrots, and celery ribs.
How do I know when the vegetables are finished sautéing?
Sauté them for about 5 minutes, or until the onions become translucent and tender.
What seasoning is added to the vegetable mixture?
A crumbled vegetable bouillon cube and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper are added for seasoning.
How much water is needed for the soup?
You should pour in enough water to completely cover all of the ingredients in the pot.
What is the recommended cooking method after adding the water?
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot to simmer.
How long should the soup simmer?
The soup should simmer covered for 45 minutes.
Should I stir the soup while it is simmering?
Yes, you should stir occasionally to ensure that nothing sticks to the bottom of the Dutch oven.
What should I do with the ham bone before serving?
Remove and discard the ham bone before you begin serving the soup.
Are potatoes included in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes 4 large potatoes (about 2 lb.), peeled and diced.
How should I garnish the soup?
You can garnish the hot soup with additional chopped green onions if desired.
What kind of pot is best for this recipe?
A large Dutch oven is recommended for cooking this soup.
How many ingredients are in this soup in total?
There are a total of 12 main ingredients in this recipe.
Is this recipe considered difficult to prepare?
No, it is tagged as an easy recipe, making it accessible for home cooks.
Does this recipe fall under a specific regional cuisine?
The recipe is associated with Southern cuisine.
Can I use different types of beans?
While navy, cannellini, and black-eyed peas are recommended, you could potentially substitute them with other white beans like Great Northern beans.
Is this soup suitable for cold weather?
Yes, it is specifically described as ideal for chilly days and warming for the soul.
Should I add salt to the soup?
The ham and bouillon provide salt, so it is best to taste the soup at the end and adjust seasoning only if needed.
How much ham is required?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of cubed ham.
What size cans are the beans?
The navy and cannellini beans use 15 ounce cans, and the black-eyed peas use a 15 1/2 ounce can.
What are the primary tags for this recipe?
The recipe is tagged with soup, holiday ham, beans, comfort food, easy recipe, hearty, and southern cuisine.
Does this soup contain any spice or heat?
The soup is savory rather than spicy, with only 1/2 teaspoon of pepper for mild seasoning.