Smoky Ham & White Bean Collard Greens Soup
This Smoky Ham & White Bean Collard Greens Soup is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for busy weeknights. Utilizing a flavorful ham shank for depth and richness, this slow-cooked soup combines tender great northern beans, vibrant collard greens, and a blend of aromatic vegetables and spices. The result is a nourishing, one-pot meal that fills the house with mouthwatering aromas. Enjoy it as a complete meal or serve it with crusty bread or cornbread for the ultimate experience.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ham shank
1
Great northern beans
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can (rinsed)
Yellow onion
1 cup (chopped)
Carrot
3/4 cup (diced)
Celery
3/4 cup (diced)
Hot sauce
1 teaspoon (to taste)
Dried chipotle powder
1 teaspoon
Dried thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons
Smoked paprika
1 teaspoon
Dried basil
1/2 teaspoon
Dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon
Bay leaves
2
Garlic cloves
6 (minced)
Dry white wine
1/2 cup
Chicken stock
28 ounces (which is 2 cans worth)
Collard greens
8 ounces (roughly 3 to 4 loosely packed cups, pre-chopped if possible)
Salt and pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
Place the ham shank at the bottom of your crock pot.
2
Open the can of great northern beans, rinse them thoroughly under cold water, and set them aside in a large bowl.
3
In the bowl with the beans, add the chopped yellow onion, diced carrots, diced celery, hot sauce, chipotle powder, thyme, smoked paprika, basil, oregano, minced garlic, and dry white wine. Mix the ingredients together until well combined.
4
Pour the bean and vegetable mixture over the ham shank in the crock pot, followed by the chicken stock and bay leaves.
5
Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
6
Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the ham shank from the pot. Discard any skin, fat, and bone.
7
Chop the remaining ham into bite-sized pieces and return it to the soup.
8
Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, adjust other seasonings such as thyme, hot sauce, or smoked paprika for extra flavor.
9
For enhanced flavor blending, cover the soup and cook on high for an additional 30 minutes.
10
Finally, remove and discard the bay leaves. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot, optionally accompanied by crusty baguette slices smeared with goat cheese or cornbread.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Smoky Ham & White Bean Collard Greens Soup?
It is a comforting and hearty slow-cooker dish made with a ham shank, great northern beans, collard greens, and aromatic vegetables.
What type of ham should I use for this recipe?
The recipe calls for a ham shank, which provides depth and richness to the broth during the slow cooking process.
Can I use dried beans instead of canned?
The recipe specifies canned great northern beans, but you can use dried beans if they are properly soaked and cooked beforehand.
How do I prepare the great northern beans?
Open the 14.5-ounce can, rinse the beans thoroughly under cold water, and set them aside before mixing with other ingredients.
What vegetables are included in the soup?
The soup includes yellow onion, carrots, celery, and collard greens.
Is this soup spicy?
It has a smoky heat from 1 teaspoon of hot sauce and 1 teaspoon of dried chipotle powder, which can be adjusted to your preference.
What kind of wine is used in this recipe?
A half cup of dry white wine is used to enhance the flavor profile of the broth.
How long does the soup cook in the crock pot?
The soup should be cooked on low for 7 to 8 hours, followed by an optional 30 minutes on high.
Do I need to chop the ham before cooking?
No, place the whole ham shank in the crock pot and chop the meat only after it has finished cooking and the bone is removed.
What should I do with the ham shank bone and skin?
Once the cooking time is complete, remove the shank and discard any skin, fat, and the bone.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 6 minced garlic cloves for a robust flavor.
What seasonings are used in this soup?
It is seasoned with thyme, smoked paprika, dried basil, dried oregano, chipotle powder, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
When do I add the collard greens?
The collard greens are added along with the other vegetables and stock at the beginning of the slow-cooking process.
Can I substitute the collard greens?
While collard greens are traditional for this recipe, you could substitute them with kale or turnip greens if needed.
How much chicken stock is required?
You will need 28 ounces of chicken stock, which is roughly equivalent to two cans.
Do I need to remove the bay leaves?
Yes, ensure you find and discard the 2 bay leaves before serving the soup.
Is this soup a complete meal?
Yes, it is a nourishing one-pot meal containing protein, fiber, and vegetables.
What are the recommended sides for this soup?
It is delicious when served with crusty baguette slices with goat cheese or a side of cornbread.
Can I cook this soup on high heat?
The recipe recommends cooking on low for 7-8 hours for best results, but you can use high heat for the final 30 minutes to blend flavors.
How do I adjust the flavor at the end?
After returning the chopped ham to the pot, taste and add more salt, pepper, thyme, hot sauce, or smoked paprika as desired.
Is this recipe easy to make?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe because it mainly involves chopping and slow cooking in one pot.
What size should the carrots and celery be diced?
They should be diced into small, uniform pieces (about 3/4 cup each) to ensure they cook through properly.
Can I skip the white wine?
Yes, if you prefer not to use alcohol, you can substitute the wine with extra chicken stock or a splash of apple cider vinegar.
Is this soup healthy?
Yes, it is considered a healthy option as it is packed with lean protein from the beans and ham and nutrients from the greens.
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Absolutely; like many soups, the flavors often deepen and improve if made a day in advance.
How do I prepare the collard greens?
Use 8 ounces of collard greens, roughly 3 to 4 loosely packed cups, and chop them into bite-sized pieces if they aren't pre-chopped.
What type of onion works best?
A yellow onion is recommended for its balanced flavor when slow-cooked.
Does the recipe require salt?
Salt and pepper are added 'to taste' at the end, as the ham shank and stock already contain sodium.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Yes, this soup freezes well in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Is this a good recipe for busy weeknights?
Yes, because it uses a crock pot, you can set it in the morning and have a hot meal ready by dinner time.