Ham and Navy Bean Soup Recipe
This hearty Ham and Bean Soup combines tender navy beans with savory ham and a medley of sautéed vegetables in a flavorful chicken broth. Perfect for a comforting meal, this soup is simmered slowly to bring out rich flavors and topped with fresh parsley for a bright finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (excluding soaking time)
- Cook Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Beans and Broth
- 1 lb dried navy beans
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp black pepper
Ham and Garnish
- 1 lb ham, diced or cut into thick slices
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Soak Beans: Rinse the dried navy beans under cold water thoroughly to remove any dirt. Place them in a large bowl and cover with plenty of water to soak overnight. This softens the beans and reduces cooking time.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery. Sauté them for about 5 to 7 minutes until they soften and become fragrant. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to enhance the flavor.
- Add Beans and Seasonings: Drain the soaked navy beans and rinse them with fresh water. Add the beans to the pot along with the bay leaf, black pepper, and diced ham. Pour in the chicken broth ensuring it just covers the beans and ingredients.
- Simmer Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid and let the soup simmer gently for 1 to 1½ hours, or until the beans are tender. Check occasionally and add more broth or water if the soup becomes too thick.
- Season and Finish: Remove the bay leaf from the soup. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning by adding salt and pepper as needed. Serve the soup hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley for a fresh herbal touch.
Notes
- Soaking beans overnight is recommended for even cooking and better digestion, but if short on time, quick soak by boiling beans for 1 minute and letting them sit, covered, off heat for 1 hour.
- Use leftover ham or smoked ham hocks for deeper smoky flavor.
- For a thicker soup, mash some beans against the side of the pot during cooking.
- Adding a splash of vinegar or lemon juice before serving can brighten the flavors.
Keywords: Ham and Bean Soup, navy beans, ham soup, comfort food, hearty soup, homemade soup
Find it online: https://lucabites.com/ham-and-navy-bean-soup-recipe/
