This hearty bean soup is packed with smoky ham, tender navy beans, and fresh vegetables. It’s warm, filling, and perfect for a cozy meal. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you can make a delicious homemade soup that’s full of flavor.
Ingredients Needed:
- 1 (16 ounces) package of dried navy beans
- 7 cups water
- 1 ham bone
- 2 cups diced ham
- ¼ cup minced onion
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ cup sliced carrots
- ½ cup sliced celery
How To Make Bean Soup Recipe?
- Prepare the Beans: Rinse the navy beans under cold water, then place them in a large pot. Add 7 cups of water, bring to a boil, and let simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 1 hour.
- Cook the Soup Base: Add the ham bone, diced ham, onion, salt, pepper, and bay leaf to the pot. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover, and let simmer for about 1 hour and 15 minutes until the beans are soft.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the sliced carrots and celery. Cook for another 10 to 15 minutes until tender.
- Remove and Chop Ham: Take the ham bone out of the pot and let it cool slightly. Remove any leftover meat, cut it into small pieces, and return it to the soup.
- Serve: Stir everything together, taste for seasoning, and serve warm. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips:
- Use Fresh Beans if Possible: Old dried beans take longer to cook and may not soften properly. Try to use beans that are not older than a year for the best texture.
- Don’t Skip the Soaking Step: Soaking helps the beans cook evenly and reduces cooking time. If you skip this step, your soup may take much longer to cook.
- Simmer Gently for Best Texture: Cooking on low heat allows the flavors to blend while keeping the beans tender but not mushy. A rolling boil can make the beans split and break apart.
- Taste and Adjust Seasoning at the End: The ham and bone add salt to the soup as it cooks, so wait until the end before adding more salt. This prevents the soup from becoming too salty.
- Remove the Bay Leaf Before Serving: Bay leaves add great flavor but are not meant to be eaten. Always take them out before serving to avoid any unpleasant bites.
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?
- Refrigerate: Let the bean soup cool down first. Then, put it in a sealed container and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Once cooled, pour the soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space at the top. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Pour the soup into a pot and heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. If it’s too thick, add a little water or broth.
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 800mg
- Potassium: 900mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 35g
- Dietary Fiber: 10g
- Sugars: 2g
- Protein: 24g
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