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Cozy Hearty Ham and Bean Soup

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A comforting and hearty soup featuring smoky ham and creamy navy beans, perfect for chilly evenings and easy to prepare with pantry staples.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups dried navy beans
  • 1 ½ to 2 cups diced ham or ham bone
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 teaspoons fresh thyme
  • 6 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 cups water
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 ½ cups dried navy beans under cold water. Place them in a large bowl, cover with at least 3 inches of cold water, and soak for 6-8 hours or overnight.
  2. Drain and rinse the soaked beans.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion, diced carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic during the last minute to avoid burning.
  4. Stir in diced ham or ham bone and warm through for 2-3 minutes to release smoky aroma.
  5. Add soaked beans, 6 cups chicken broth, 2 cups water, 2 bay leaves, and thyme. Stir to combine.
  6. Bring soup to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low. Partially cover the pot and simmer gently for 1 to 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally until beans are tender but not falling apart.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, considering the saltiness of the ham. For thicker texture, mash some beans against the pot side with a spoon.
  8. Remove bay leaves and ham bone if used. Ladle soup into bowls and serve warm.

Notes

Soaking beans overnight reduces cooking time and improves texture. Use canned beans as a shortcut by adding them 15 minutes before the end of cooking to avoid mushiness. Adjust salt at the end to prevent over-salting due to ham and broth. Soup thickens when cooled; add broth or water when reheating. Flavors deepen if soup rests overnight in the fridge.

Nutrition

Keywords: ham and bean soup, hearty soup, comfort food, easy dinner, navy beans, leftover ham, cozy soup

Find it online: https://evabake.com/cozy-hearty-ham-and-bean-soup-recipe-easy-comforting-dinner-ideas/