Savory Ham Hock & Lentil Soup
Warm up with this hearty Ham Hock and Lentil Soup, packed with robust flavors and comforting ingredients. This recipe transforms simple staples into a delightful dish, perfect for cold weather dining. The smokiness of the ham hock melds beautifully with the earthy lentils, while aromatic vegetables and herbs elevate the soup to a comforting classic. Serve it with a slice of crusty bread for a complete meal that’s both satisfying and soul-warming. A true crowd-pleaser, this recipe is also a wonderful way to utilize leftover ham hocks and is sure to become a favorite in your home.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (none)
Onions
2 cups (diced small)
Celery
1 cup (diced small)
Carrot
1 cup (diced small)
Salt
to taste (none)
Fresh ground black pepper
to taste (none)
Garlic
2 tablespoons (chopped)
Bay leaves
2 (none)
Fresh thyme
6 sprigs (none)
Chicken stock
2 quarts (none)
Ham hocks
3-4 (none)
Orange lentils
1 lb (none)
Parsley
2 tablespoons (chopped)
Instructions
1
In a large saucepan over medium heat, warm the olive oil until shimmering.
2
Add the diced onions, celery, and carrots to the pot, seasoning generously with salt and fresh ground black pepper. Sauté to soften the vegetables, about 4 minutes.
3
Stir in the chopped garlic, bay leaves, and fresh thyme, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
4
Add the ham hocks and pour in the chicken stock. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil.
5
Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the ham hocks are tender.
6
Remove the ham hocks, set aside to cool slightly, and add the lentils to the pot. Continue cooking for 25 to 30 minutes, until the lentils are tender.
7
Once the ham hocks are cool enough to handle, carefully remove the meat from the bones and shred it into bite-sized pieces.
8
Return the shredded ham to the soup, and stir in the chopped parsley. Taste and reseason with salt and pepper as needed.
9
Serve hot, accompanied by a hearty slice of crusty bread.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main dish in this recipe?
The main dish is Savory Ham Hock & Lentil Soup, a hearty and comforting meal.
What type of lentils are used?
This recipe specifically calls for 1 lb of orange lentils.
How many ham hocks do I need?
You will need between 3 to 4 ham hocks for this soup.
How long do the ham hocks need to simmer?
The ham hocks should simmer in the chicken stock for about 1 hour until they are tender.
What vegetables are included in the base?
The base includes 2 cups of onions, 1 cup of celery, and 1 cup of carrots, all diced small.
What liquid is used for the soup base?
The recipe uses 2 quarts of chicken stock as the primary liquid.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of chopped garlic.
What herbs provide the aromatic flavor?
The aromatic flavors come from 2 bay leaves, 6 sprigs of fresh thyme, and 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley.
How long should the lentils cook?
Once added to the pot, the lentils should cook for 25 to 30 minutes until tender.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
How long do you sauté the onions, celery, and carrots?
Sauté the vegetables for about 4 minutes until they begin to soften.
When do you add the garlic and herbs?
Stir in the garlic, bay leaves, and thyme after the initial vegetables have softened, cooking for one additional minute.
Should the pot be covered while simmering the ham hocks?
Yes, you should cover the pot and simmer on medium-low heat.
What do you do with the ham hocks after they are tender?
Remove them from the pot, let them cool, then shred the meat from the bones into bite-sized pieces.
When is the shredded ham returned to the soup?
The shredded ham is returned to the soup at the same time you stir in the chopped parsley, after the lentils are cooked.
How should the soup be seasoned?
Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper during the vegetable sauté and again at the end after tasting.
What is the recommended serving suggestion?
Serve the soup hot, accompanied by a hearty slice of crusty bread.
Is this soup suitable for cold weather?
Yes, it is described as a soul-warming dish perfect for cold weather dining.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 total ingredients listed in this recipe.
Can this recipe be used for meal prep?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as being great for meal prep.
What color are the lentils?
The lentils are orange.
What is the preparation for the onions?
The onions should be diced small.
How much olive oil is used?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Does the recipe use fresh or dried thyme?
The recipe specifically calls for 6 sprigs of fresh thyme.
Is the ham hock meat left on the bone?
No, the meat is removed from the bones and shredded before being returned to the soup.
What heat setting is used for sautéing?
Medium heat is used for the initial sautéing of vegetables.
How much parsley is needed?
You need 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley.
What type of pepper is recommended?
Fresh ground black pepper is recommended for the best flavor.
Is this soup considered high in protein?
Yes, it is tagged as a protein-rich meal due to the ham and lentils.
What is the texture of the soup?
The soup is described as hearty and robust.