Spicy Southern Ham & Bean Delight
Dive into a bowl of Spicy Southern Ham & Bean Delight, a hearty and flavorful soup that packs a punch with every spoonful! This recipe brings together a medley of savory ham, an assortment of tender beans, and a kick of heat from jalapenos and spicy tomatoes. Perfect for cold nights or family gatherings, this soup is not only delicious but also a fantastic way to use up leftover ham and pantry staples. Best enjoyed the next day after the flavors meld, it can easily be paired with cornbread or served alongside crispy fried potatoes for a complete meal. Just a caution for the little palates, this soup can get quite spicy, so adjust the heat level according to your preference!
8-10
Servings
350
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
meaty ham bone
1 (none)
cubed ham
1-2 cups (cut into bite-sized pieces)
onion
1 large (chopped)
carrots
2-3 (sliced)
celery ribs
2-3 (sliced)
ham soup base
2-3 tablespoons (none)
water
8-10 cups (none)
great northern beans
1 (15 ounce) can (drained)
navy beans
1 (15 ounce) can (drained)
black-eyed peas
1 (15 ounce) can (drained)
pinto beans
1 (15 ounce) can (drained)
jalapeno beans
1 (15 ounce) can (undrained)
Rotel extra hot tomatoes and green chilies
1 (10 ounce) can (none)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
garlic
1 teaspoon (minced)
Instructions
1
In a large stock pot, combine the meaty ham bone, chopped onion, sliced celery, sliced carrots, and 8-10 cups of water.
2
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and allow it to simmer. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface periodically.
3
Cook the soup until the meat begins to separate from the bone, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. Carefully remove the ham bone from the pot and set it aside to cool.
4
Once cooled, discard the excess fat from the ham bone and remove the ham. Chop the ham into bite-sized pieces.
5
Return the soup to a gentle simmer and stir in the ham soup base, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
6
Next, add the drained varieties of beans: great northern beans, navy beans, black-eyed peas, and pinto beans, along with the undrained jalapeno beans and the can of extra hot Rotel tomatoes.
7
Stir well and allow the soup to simmer for another 30 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld together.
8
After simmering, add the chopped ham back to the soup, and taste test for seasoning adjustments. Remember, caution is advised with the spice!
9
Serve your soup steaming hot, with a side of cornbread and fried potatoes for a well-rounded, satisfying meal. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
12g
Fat
38g
Carbs
18g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Southern Ham & Bean Delight?
It is a hearty and flavorful Southern-style soup that combines savory ham, a variety of tender beans, and a kick of heat from jalapenos and spicy tomatoes.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 8 to 10 servings, making it perfect for family gatherings or meal prep.
How spicy is this soup?
This soup is quite spicy as it contains jalapeno beans and extra hot Rotel tomatoes. You can adjust the heat level by choosing milder versions of these ingredients.
What types of beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for a medley of beans including great northern beans, navy beans, black-eyed peas, pinto beans, and jalapeno beans.
Can I use leftover ham for this soup?
Yes, this soup is a fantastic way to use up a meaty leftover ham bone and extra cubed ham.
How long should I simmer the ham bone?
You should simmer the ham bone with the vegetables and water for approximately 1 to 1.5 hours until the meat begins to separate from the bone.
Should I drain all the beans before adding them?
No. You should drain the great northern, navy, black-eyed peas, and pinto beans, but keep the jalapeno beans undrained to maintain the flavor and heat.
What are the primary vegetables in this soup?
The soup uses one large chopped onion, 2-3 sliced carrots, and 2-3 sliced celery ribs.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 350 calories.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are about 18 grams of protein in each serving of the soup.
What sides go best with this bean soup?
It is best enjoyed with a side of cornbread or served alongside crispy fried potatoes for a complete meal.
When should I add the chopped ham back into the pot?
Add the chopped ham back into the soup after the beans and tomatoes have simmered for about 30 minutes.
How much water is needed for the base?
The recipe requires between 8 to 10 cups of water to start the stock with the ham bone.
Is it better to eat this soup the day it's made?
While delicious immediately, the flavor is often better the next day after the ingredients have had more time to meld.
What kind of tomatoes should I use?
The recipe specifically uses one 10-ounce can of Rotel extra hot tomatoes and green chilies.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 12 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 38 grams of carbohydrates.
Do I need to add extra salt?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of salt, but you should taste test at the end and adjust based on your preference and the saltiness of your ham.
What is 'ham soup base'?
Ham soup base is a concentrated paste or bouillon that enhances the smoky, savory flavor of the broth.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of minced garlic.
Should I remove the foam while boiling the bone?
Yes, you should periodically skim off any foam that rises to the surface for a cleaner broth.
Can I substitute any of the beans?
Yes, you can substitute different bean varieties based on your pantry staples, though the current mix provides a traditional Southern profile.
How should the carrots and celery be prepared?
The carrots and celery should be sliced before being added to the stock pot.
What is the preparation for the onion?
One large onion should be chopped and added to the stock pot at the beginning of the process.
How much cubed ham is needed in addition to the bone?
The recipe suggests adding 1-2 cups of cubed ham cut into bite-sized pieces.
Is this a good recipe for beginners?
Yes, it is classified as an easy recipe that mostly involves simmering and stirring.
What tags describe this dish?
Tags include soup, ham, beans, spicy, hearty, comfort food, southern, and easy recipe.
How long is the final simmer after adding beans?
After adding the beans and tomatoes, the soup should simmer for another 30 minutes.
Can I make this soup less spicy?
Yes, use regular pinto beans instead of jalapeno beans and mild Rotel tomatoes instead of the extra hot version.
How much pepper should be used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.