Description
Hearty ham and bean soup delivers comfort on chilly days with rich, smoky flavors. Home cooks can quickly prepare this satisfying meal using simple ingredients and minimal kitchen effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups diced smoked ham
- 1 smoked ham hock
- 4 14.5 oz (411 g) cans white beans
- 3 cups (710 ml) chicken stock
- 3 carrots (small dice)
- 1 small onion (small dice)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1/4 cup minced parsley
- kosher salt (to taste)
- black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a 5-quart soup pot over medium-high heat, creating an even cooking surface.
- Add carrots and onions to the hot oil, sautéing for 5 minutes until onions turn translucent and vegetables soften.
- Stir in minced garlic and fresh thyme leaves, allowing their aromatic flavors to release into the vegetables.
- Pour white beans with their liquid, chicken stock, diced ham, ham hock, and bay leaves into the pot, mixing thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Reduce heat and simmer the soup for 12-15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and the liquid to slightly thicken.
- Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Remove bay leaves and ham hock from the soup.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top, gently stirring to distribute evenly.
- Serve the soup hot, ensuring each bowl captures the rich, hearty essence of the dish.
Notes
- Enhance bean texture by soaking dried beans overnight, reducing cooking time and improving digestibility.
- Swap ham with smoked turkey or vegetarian bacon for a lighter, diet-friendly alternative that maintains rich flavor profiles.
- Add a splash of white wine during vegetable sautéing to deepen the soup’s complexity and introduce subtle aromatic undertones.
- For a gluten-free version, verify chicken stock ingredients and ensure all components meet dietary restrictions without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simming
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 270 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg