Whenever I make a ham dinner I always make sure to save the ham bone because it can be used in soups or stocks to which it adds a ton of flavour. (The ham bone keeps well in the freezer so even if I don’t plan on making a soup right away I freeze it for later.) One of my favourite soups to use a ham bone in is the ever so simple and yet wonderful ham and bean soup! Ham and bean soup lends itself beautifully for a ham bone because the longer you simmer the ham bone, the more flavour you get from it and you need to simmer the beans for an hour or two in this soup anyways. Really this soup is as simple as it gets, you have your basic vegetables, the onions, celery and carrots in addition to the ham and beans and the ham bone provides all of the flavour. You do need a bit of time to let it simmer but it is really worth it! Despite being so simple this has to be one of the best soups around and it is pure comfort food that is bound to satisfy!
If you have the cravings for ham and bean soup but do not have a ham bone on hand, don’t worry, you can get a soup that is almost as flavourful using ham hocks.
Of course bacon makes everything better and you can’t go wrong with even more pork-y goodness!
Grainy mustard and sour cream are a perfect garnish for ham and bean soup along with some bread to mop up every last drop!
I like to have a green vegetable in my meal and the addition of green beans is a great way to get one into this soup!
Ham and Bean Soup
Ham and beans are perfect companions and they truly shine in this soup which is pure comfort food!
ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 teaspoon thyme, chopped
- 6 cups ham broth or chicken broth or chicken stock
- 1 pound dried white beans such as navy, great northern, cannellini, picked over and soaked over night in water
- 1 ham bone (or 2 ham hocks)
- salt, pepper and cayenne to taste
- 2 cups cooked ham, diced (omit if you are using ham hocks)
directions
- Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat, add the onion, carrots and celery and cook until tender, about 7-10 minutes.
- Add the garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about a minute.
- Add the broth, white beans and ham bone, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and let simmer, covered, until the beans are tender, about 1-2 hours.
- Remove the bone or ham hocks and if you are using the ham hocks, strip the meat from them and dice or shred it.
- Optionally puree some or all of the soup with a blender, add the ham and season with salt, pepper and cayenne to taste.
Option: Green beans are an amazing addition; add them near the end and let them cook until just tender.
Steph says
February 22, 2009 at 3:49 amHam and beans sound like a wonderful combination!
from my motorhome to yours says
February 22, 2009 at 4:16 amoh my this looks great, I have to try it, pam
Julie says
February 22, 2009 at 4:54 amOh man, that looks so awesome. I love that you’re using canned beans, makes it extra quick and easy. The green beans in there look great too.
Not Another Omnivore says
February 22, 2009 at 5:08 amI think with some modifications I could make this quite enjoyable for the veggie crowd! Your pics are great as always, and way to have a nutritional winner as well 🙂
NAOmni
Cayleigh says
February 22, 2009 at 5:29 amMmmm … love ham and beans! I’ve never had it with the green variety of bean before. I like the idea of getting a green veggie in. 🙂
Paula says
February 22, 2009 at 5:30 amOops … sorry, I posted the above comment in my daughter’s Cayleigh’s account. I’m just not used to my kids having “accounts” on the computer! 😮
Red Freckles says
February 22, 2009 at 5:46 amThis was my favorite kind of soup as a kid. Only it was from Campbell’s. I always needed to drink 2 glasses of water after a bowl because of all the salt. Now I can make my own with less salt!
tamilyn says
February 22, 2009 at 5:50 amMy brother in law makes a dish like this. He said it is his specialty. My sister says it is one of three things he knows how to cook! I will forward the recipe to him.
★adair★ says
February 22, 2009 at 6:17 amLooks very beautiful and so yummy!!!
Jescel says
February 22, 2009 at 6:29 amlooks like a good, comforting meal! yum! And i love that it doesn’t take long to make it. I don’t use an immersion blender. I mash half of the beans and add them a bit later to make the soup thicker. Whenever I make this, I add parmesan rind to the soup for more flavor. I keep parm rinds in my freezer for soups like these.
PG says
February 22, 2009 at 7:43 amthis one sounds delicious. Though I don’t eat ham, hubby would love it.
pepsakoy says
February 22, 2009 at 9:28 amLooks absolutely delicious..Nothing could stop me from giving it a try !!
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
February 22, 2009 at 10:04 amThis soup looks fantastic! Really comforting and practical!
Cheers,
Rosa
lisaiscooking says
February 22, 2009 at 2:27 pmThe green beans look great in your soup! Nice combination.
Dawn says
February 22, 2009 at 2:35 pmyes, I bet that leftover ham does really well in this. I’m sure the ginger flavor was carried over, or I hope.
Maggie says
February 22, 2009 at 3:29 pmI love that you kept the green beans so bright and not overcooked. This sounds like a great soup.
dishesdone says
February 22, 2009 at 3:46 pmGreat looking soup! Delicious combination!, ham and beans! Looks perfect for the weather we’re getting today, cold and rainy!
catherine @ www.unconfidentialcook.com says
February 22, 2009 at 4:31 pmPerfect for a comfort dinner. I wish Mr. I-Hate-Vegetables didn’t hate beans….
Anonymous says
February 22, 2009 at 5:37 pmBrand new to the blog! Found it while researching sweet potato wedges, and found a great recipe I’m wanting to try. I’m a vegetarian, but there’s plenty I cn adapt here. It all sounds marvelous, and kudos on your photo skills, it makes it SO much better when you can see a fabulous example.
Looking forward to trying some of these!
Kalyn says
February 22, 2009 at 6:01 pmLove the addition of the green beans, very creative!
aforkfulofspaghetti says
February 22, 2009 at 6:08 pmMmmm, what a fab chunky soup for the colder weather. Yum.
cindy* says
February 22, 2009 at 6:33 pmthis soup looks so tasty and comforting! i love the addition of green beans. yum!
Jan says
February 22, 2009 at 6:36 pmHam and bean soup looks great!
Foodess says
February 22, 2009 at 7:16 pmLooks nourishing and delicious. And I’m impressed at how many ways you reincarnated that ham!
Pam says
February 22, 2009 at 7:47 pmMy very favorite soup! I’ve never tried it with green beans. I hate to mess with perfection.
Peter M says
February 22, 2009 at 10:16 pmNow that’s a soup that eats like a meal!
Sara says
February 22, 2009 at 11:22 pmThis looks like the perfect way to use up leftover ham!
Anonymous says
February 22, 2009 at 11:36 pmI am lucky that my nephews girlfriend works at a Heavenly Ham and she saves me her ham hocks!
looks good as always Kevin!
Nina Timm says
February 23, 2009 at 3:28 amI like the fact that you used canned beans….easier for me!!!
MaryBeth says
February 23, 2009 at 4:41 amThis is a very heart warming soup, or as my daughter would say its good for the heart and good for the soul.
Beachlover says
February 23, 2009 at 4:56 amyour soup really look attractive! must taste rich and yummy!
Pam says
February 23, 2009 at 6:44 amI love ham and bean soup – this looks hearty and delicious.
OhioMom says
February 23, 2009 at 12:59 pmThe food critic loves ham and beans … with hot water cornbread.
Comfort food in this house 🙂
Koruklu says
February 23, 2009 at 1:08 pmWaiting for fresh green beans!!! Yummy!!!
Grace says
February 23, 2009 at 1:17 pmi used to have a big ol’ bread bowl full of something similar to this every wednesday when i was in grad school. good memories. 🙂
Christelle says
February 23, 2009 at 1:47 pmHummm, this dish looks very appetizing!!!!
Culinary Cory says
February 23, 2009 at 1:58 pmYour soup looks really hearty. Love all the veggies in it.
elly says
February 23, 2009 at 1:58 pmThis looks really delicious and hearty. I’ve been trying to use up some things in my freezer over the last week or so too!
pigpigscorner says
February 23, 2009 at 2:49 pmLooks so delicious! A very heartwarming and comforting soup.
Debbie says
February 23, 2009 at 5:32 pmHams and beans are such a good, hearty combo!!! Looks delicious!
Maria says
February 23, 2009 at 5:43 pmThe green beans really stand out in this one! Beautiful soup!
Sandie says
February 23, 2009 at 5:54 pmHam and bean soup is one of the greatest comfort foods of all time. Your combination looks stunning!
Anonymous says
February 23, 2009 at 6:25 pmThe fact that you had the gingersnap ham in this is what makes it so great. A little bit of that sweet flavor seeps in.
Astra Libris says
February 23, 2009 at 7:31 pmMmmm, what a gorgeous, comforting soup!! I happen to have some leftover ham in the freezer, too… Thank you for the great solution! 🙂
Amy says
February 23, 2009 at 8:22 pmThat’s one good looking bowl of soup. I like the color the green beans give the soup.
Michelle says
February 23, 2009 at 10:31 pmthis looks so delicious! I love ham and beans too?!?!?! that would be so good in my belly!
Jan says
February 24, 2009 at 12:31 amYum! Great looking soup, Kevin.
Dragon says
February 24, 2009 at 12:50 amI just can’t get enough of soup these days. Yours looks so hearty and warm.
Mrs Ergül says
February 24, 2009 at 1:54 amThat’s a lot of beans! Healthy!
Kevin says
February 24, 2009 at 3:46 amJescel: Good call! I like to use the parmesan rinds in soups and pasta sauces. I did not think to use them in this soup though. Next time.
Anonymous says
February 24, 2009 at 4:01 amthis soup is so soothing. Your version looks like a great one.
Mama Chicken says
February 24, 2009 at 11:52 pmThis looks like something I’m going to throw into our “soup-circuit”. Thanks!
meeso says
February 25, 2009 at 10:24 pmThis is some good looking ham and bean soup! I grew up on soup like this… this is serious comfort food!
Rachel says
October 21, 2009 at 8:13 amThis looks so yummy… brings back memories of my mom's ham and bean soup… i love the green beans in it.. ham and beans is an excellent combination. Its also good with some chunks of potato if you want to make it more hearty… and some grated romano cheese.
Yivinns says
March 6, 2011 at 5:06 amJust made this soup. It was so delicious! I think next time I'll make it without the oregano, though. Thanks!!!
Joanna says
January 10, 2012 at 5:22 pmI made this last night! It's a keeper. Leftover ham from the freezer. We skipped the ham bone and didn't cook it as long as called for – too much in a hurry, but it was still perfect. Both kids raved about it. I loved the green bean addition. Thanks!
Jan says
October 6, 2012 at 1:26 amdo you use 2 cans of white beans? it is listed on the recipe use 1 can, then it says add 1 can again. Is this a typo? looks delicious!
Kevin says
October 6, 2012 at 12:16 pmJan: Yes that is 2 cans of beans. I was adding them in two different locations, but I have streamlined the recipe to add them at the same time.
Anonymous says
January 5, 2014 at 1:49 amI've been making this kind of soup for years. I also add one large potato diced small , and serve it with fresh diced onion added on top and fresh home made cornbread muffins, I crumble them up in my soup to absorb the liquid. I always make a very large pot full then can the rest in quart jars for later use. Good job.
kevin says
January 8, 2014 at 2:14 pmAnonymous: Great way to serve the ham and bean soup!
Debbie says
March 2, 2014 at 10:14 pmExcellent! Thanks for sharing.
Anonymous says
December 26, 2014 at 5:46 pmIt says 8 hours soaking time… I am ASSUMING that you have to soak the beans for 8 hours? NO WHERE in the recipe it says what the 8 hrs soaking is for :/
Claudia Weller says
February 7, 2015 at 12:32 pmLooks yummy, just the right thing with cold weather and snow outside.
Unknown says
April 22, 2016 at 1:14 pmi have made this lots of times and it is delicious. I only have canned beans this time will it still work? do I need to adjust the liquid some?
kevin says
April 28, 2016 at 1:23 pmUnknown: Canned beans will work as well and you could cut the broth down to 4 cups.
Claudia Weller says
March 7, 2017 at 10:07 amLove this – will make this this night, comfort food for this ugly rainy and cold weather here in Germany
Don Andrews says
February 24, 2018 at 9:42 amI shall be making this using a Jamon serrano bone and a leaving the soup in a slow cooker on "low" setting all day.
Don Andrews says
February 24, 2018 at 9:45 amI shall be making this soup with a bone from a jamon serrano, and leaving it to cook in a slow cooker on low setting all day. Delicious to come home to! And I shall add shredded spinach for the last 1/2 hour in place of the beans.