Easy Ham and Bean Soup: Discover This Savory Recipe!

Name: Easy Ham and Bean Soup: Discover This Savory Recipe!
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup dried navy beans (or 2 cans, drained and rinsed); 8 ounces diced ham; 1 medium onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 carrots, diced; 2 celery stalks, diced; 4 cups chicken broth; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1 bay leaf; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 tablespoons olive oil; Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Chef Hicham2 minutes ago

0 0 20 minutes read

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How to Make Easy Ham and Bean Soup

Now that you’re all set with the ingredients, let’s dive into the heart of the matter: making this Easy Ham and Bean Soup. I promise, it’s as simple as pie—well, maybe easier! With just a few steps, you’ll have a pot of warm, comforting soup that’ll make your kitchen smell like a cozy diner on a chilly day.

Step 1 – Prep Ingredients

First things first, let’s get those beans ready. If you’re using dried navy beans, rinse them under cold water and soak them in a large bowl overnight. This helps them soften up and cook evenly. If you’re short on time (and who isn’t?), you can skip the soaking and use canned beans instead. Just drain and rinse them, and you’re good to go!

Step 2 – Begin Cooking

Once your beans are prepped, it’s time to get cooking! In a large pot, warm up 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. I love the sound of oil sizzling in the pan; it’s like music to my ears! Add in the chopped onion, diced carrots, and celery. Sauté these veggies for about 5 minutes until they soften up. You want them to be tender but not mushy—think of them as the supporting cast in this delicious soup!

Next, toss in 2 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for another minute. Oh, the aroma of garlic wafting through the kitchen is simply divine! It’s like a warm hug for your senses.

Step 3 – Combine Ingredients

Now, let’s bring it all together! Add the diced ham to the pot, along with your soaked (or canned) beans. Pour in 4 cups of chicken broth, and sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of dried thyme and a bay leaf. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper to taste. Give everything a good stir, and let the mixture come to a vigorous boil. This is where the magic starts to happen!

Step 4 – Finish and Serve

Once your soup is boiling, reduce the heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer. If you’re using dried beans, let it simmer for about 1 to 1.5 hours. If you opted for canned beans, 30 minutes should do the trick. You want those beans to be tender and flavorful, soaking up all the deliciousness from the broth and ham.

Before serving, don’t forget to fish out that bay leaf—it’s not meant to be eaten! Taste your soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve it hot, and if you’re feeling fancy, garnish with some fresh parsley. It adds a lovely pop of color and freshness!

And there you have it! A hearty bowl of Easy Ham and Bean Soup that’s perfect for a busy weeknight or a cozy weekend meal. I can already picture you and your family gathered around the table, enjoying every last spoonful. Trust me, this soup is bound to become a favorite in your household!

Introduction to Easy Ham and Bean Soup

Welcome to the world of Easy Ham and Bean Soup! If you’re like me, juggling a busy life while trying to whip up meals that are both delicious and comforting can feel like a high-wire act. But fear not! This soup is here to save the day. It’s not just a recipe; it’s a warm hug in a bowl, perfect for those chilly evenings when you want something hearty without spending hours in the kitchen.

Picture this: you’ve had a long day, and the last thing you want to do is slave over a hot stove. Enter this easy ham and bean soup, which is as simple to make as it is satisfying. With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, you can create a dish that not only fills bellies but also warms hearts. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel like a culinary rock star, even if you’re just trying to get dinner on the table before the kids start asking for snacks!

This soup is especially appealing to busy American women aged 40–70, who often find themselves balancing work, family, and everything in between. I get it—time is precious, and cooking fatigue is real. That’s why I love this recipe! It’s designed to be straightforward and forgiving, allowing you to enjoy the process without the stress. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to use up leftover ham, making it not only economical but also a great way to reduce food waste.

So, whether you’re cooking for a family gathering or just looking to treat yourself to a cozy night in, this Easy Ham and Bean Soup is your go-to solution. Let’s dive into the details and get you started on this delightful journey of flavors!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Ham and Bean Soup

Let me tell you, there are so many reasons to fall head over heels for this Easy Ham and Bean Soup. First off, let’s talk about the prep time. With just 10 minutes of hands-on work, you can have this delicious soup simmering away on your stovetop. That’s right—10 minutes! It’s like a magic trick, but instead of pulling a rabbit out of a hat, you’re conjuring up a hearty meal that’ll make your family think you’ve been slaving away in the kitchen for hours.

And the cleanup? Oh, it’s a breeze! You’ll only need one pot to make this soup, which means fewer dishes to wash. I don’t know about you, but after a long day, the last thing I want to do is tackle a mountain of dirty dishes. With this recipe, you can enjoy your meal and then kick back with a good book or your favorite show without feeling like you need to spend the rest of the evening scrubbing pots and pans.

Now, let’s get to the flavors. This soup is a crowd-pleaser, and I can guarantee it’ll win over even the pickiest eaters in your family. The combination of savory ham, tender beans, and aromatic vegetables creates a symphony of flavors that dance on your taste buds. It’s like a warm embrace on a cold day, and who doesn’t love that? Plus, the subtle hints of thyme and garlic add just the right amount of depth, making it a dish that feels both comforting and sophisticated.

Kids love it, too! The soft texture of the beans and the mild flavor of the ham make it easy for little ones to enjoy. You can even get them involved in the cooking process—let them help rinse the beans or stir the pot. It’s a great way to bond and teach them some kitchen skills while you’re at it. And let’s be honest, when kids help in the kitchen, they’re often more excited to eat what they’ve made!

So, whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy meal to share with loved ones, this Easy Ham and Bean Soup checks all the boxes. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s downright delicious. What more could you ask for? Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be adding it to your regular rotation. Your family will thank you, and you’ll feel like a culinary superstar!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before we dive into the cooking process, let’s gather our ingredients for this Easy Ham and Bean Soup. Having everything prepped and ready to go makes the cooking experience so much smoother—trust me, it’s a game changer! Here’s what you’ll need:

1 cup dried navy beans (or 2 cans, drained and rinsed): These little beans are the stars of the show! They’re creamy and tender, perfect for soaking up all the delicious flavors. If you’re short on time, canned beans are a fantastic shortcut.
8 ounces diced ham: This adds a savory depth to the soup. You can use leftover ham from a holiday meal or pick up some deli ham. If you’re looking for a healthier option, lean ham or turkey ham works well too!
1 medium onion, chopped: Onions are the foundation of flavor in many dishes. They add sweetness and depth, making your soup taste like it’s been simmering all day.
2 cloves garlic, minced: Garlic is like the secret ingredient that elevates everything! It brings a wonderful aroma and flavor that makes your kitchen smell divine.
2 carrots, diced: Carrots add a touch of sweetness and color to the soup. Plus, they’re packed with vitamins! Feel free to swap them out for parsnips or sweet potatoes if you’re in the mood for something different.
2 celery stalks, diced: Celery adds a nice crunch and a fresh flavor. If you’re not a fan, you can leave it out or replace it with bell peppers for a different twist.
4 cups chicken broth: This is the liquid gold that brings everything together. You can use low-sodium broth for a healthier option or even vegetable broth if you want to keep it vegetarian.
1 teaspoon dried thyme: Thyme adds a lovely herbal note that complements the ham beautifully. If you don’t have thyme, feel free to use Italian seasoning or even a pinch of rosemary.
1 bay leaf: This leaf adds a subtle depth of flavor. Just remember to remove it before serving—it’s not meant to be eaten!
Salt and pepper to taste: These are essential for bringing out the flavors in your soup. Don’t be shy—season to your liking!
2 tablespoons olive oil: This is what we’ll use to sauté our veggies. Olive oil is a healthy fat, but you can also use butter or avocado oil if you prefer.
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional): A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness to your soup. It’s optional, but I highly recommend it for that extra touch!

And there you have it! A simple yet flavorful lineup of ingredients that come together to create a comforting bowl of Easy Ham and Bean Soup. If you’re looking for printable measurements, don’t worry! You’ll find them at the end of this article, making it easy to whip up this delicious dish whenever the craving strikes.