Old Fashioned Ham And Bean Soup Recipe

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Hello there! I can bet you will thank me after trying this Old Fashioned Ham And Bean Soup recipe because it is pure comfort at its finest. It’s one of my favorite homemade soup recipes, which I love to prepare whenever I wish to have a cozy and filling sip.

So, basically tender navy beans are simmered to perfection with ham hocks that add a smokey undertone to create a rich soup. Plus, it comes loaded with veggies and seasonings, making this recipe more flavourful.

Oh! I just love to soak up all that brothy goodness with a side of cornbread or sourdough.

Therefore, my whole family requests that I prepare this soup all the time because it’s absolutely divine. I personally find it to be the best winter dish, as it makes for a hearty bowl of warm soup.

So, if you’re someone looking to dip your crusty bread into a meaty bowl of goodness, I’m sure this soup will become your go-to. Let’s not waste any more time and get straight to the details of this recipe.

What's In The Post

Equipment Required

Large Pot: You will need a large pot or Dutch oven to cook the ham, bone, broth, and all the veggies. I usually look for the one that can hold at least 8 quarts so that everything simmers well.
Knife And Cutting Board: I keep a sturdy knife and a cutting board handy to chop all the ingredients properly.
Ladle: I use a ladle to scoop out all those little chunks from the flavourful broth.
Soup Bowls: I keep deep, large bowls handy to serve my soup.

Old Fashioned Ham And Bean Soup Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: The ingredients that I have listed below will help you serve 3 people. You can, however, adjust the quantities of the ingredients according to the number of people you wish to serve.

1 Pound Dried Navy Beans: I use white beans or cannellini beans as substitutes whenever I’m left with no navy beans.
1 Tablespoon Canola Oil: Olive, avocado, or coconut oil will also do.
2 Medium Onions, Chopped: You can use yellow or white onions or shallots as alternatives.
2 Celery Ribs, Chopped: No celery left? Fennel stalks, leeks, or green bell peppers come to the rescue.
8 Cups Water
1 Medium Carrot, Chopped: Parsnips can also provide that sweet crunch to your dish.
2 Bay Leaves
1 Teaspoon Dried Thyme: Fresh thyme, dried rosemary, or marjoram will also work just fine.
½ Teaspoon Pepper
2 Smoked Ham Hocks: I recommend using smoked turkey legs or smoked sausage as alternatives.
2 Cups Cubed Fully Cooked Ham
½ Teaspoon Salt

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
15 Minutes	1 Hour 30 Minutes	1 Hour 45 Minutes

How To Make Old Fashioned Ham And Bean Soup At Home

Step 1

Preheat some oil in a Dutch oven. Once the oil is heated, add chopped onions, followed by chopped carrots and celery ribs. Let the veggies cook, and add a bay leaf to the mixture.

Step 2

Once the veggies turn translucent, add ham hock to the mixture, followed by thyme, navy beans, water, and season with salt and pepper.

Step 3

Finally, reduce the heat and let the soup simmer covered for at least 1 to 2 hours until the beans become tender. Your comforting bowl of old-fashioned ham and bean soup is ready to be served.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

I always soak the dried beans overnight in cold water to create a creamy texture.
By any chance, if I forget to soak the beans overnight in cold water, I just boil them in a pot, turn off the heat, and let it sit for at least one hour in that boiling water.
Before adding the vegetables to the soup, I saute them in the oil to soften them. This step also enriches the vegetables’ natural sweetness, deepening the broth’s flavor.
I also incorporate 3 to 4 cloves of garlic during the sauteing of the vegetables. This provides an extra layer of warmth and complexity to my soup.
I recommend letting the soup simmer, as this allows the flavors to meld together, making it more flavorful.

FAQs About Old Fashioned Ham And Bean Soup

Why are the beans hard even after hours of cooking?

If you do not soak the beans in water overnight or use old beans, they will be hard even after hours of cooking. So make sure to use good quality and nicely soaked beans. You can also add a pinch of baking soda while soaking the beans.

How can you make the broth thicker?

You can make the broth thicker by mashing some beans or adding some cornstarch slurry.

Why is the soup greasy?

The soup may appear greasy due to the fat released from the ham hocks or ham cubes. You can fix this greasy soup by scooping off the fat while the soup is still simmering.

Why are the beans falling apart?

If you overcook the beans or stir them too much during the cooking process, they will break easily. Hence, make sure to simmer the beans at a very low temperature and avoid stirring them constantly. Moreover, keep an eye on the texture of the beans, especially if you are using canned beans because they cook very fast.

How do I know when the beans are fully cooked or not?

To know whether the beans are fully cooked or not, you can check their texture, which should be tender and not mushy. You can press one bean between your fingers, and if it squishes easily, it is done.

Why is the soup appearing to be cloudy?

If you boil the soup at a very high temperature, then the broth can become cloudy. So ensure that you simmer your soup at a gentle or low heat and avoid covering the simmering pot because the steam buildup can increase the cloudiness.

Why does the soup have a bitter aftertaste?

If you use dried herbs like thyme or burn the vegetables while sauteing, the soup may have a bitter aftertaste. To prevent this, make sure to saute the vegetables over low heat and avoid adding too much thyme. You can also add a pinch of sugar or vinegar to balance the bitterness.

Why is the soup taking longer to cook?

If you don’t soak the beans overnight, the soup’s cooking time can be extended. To prevent this, make sure to soak the beans overnight and use a pressure cooker to cook them.
To know whether the beans are fully cooked or not, we can check their texture, which should be tender and not mushy. You can press one bean, and if it squishes very easily, then it is done.

Can I use canned beans to save time?

Yes, you can use canned beans to save time. You must rinse and drain them properly before adding them to the soup mixture. Make sure to add them in the last 15 to 20 minutes, as they are already cooked. It will prevent them from getting mushy.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

This Old Fashioned Ham And Bean Soup is certainly healthy. It is packed with beans and lean ham, making it rich in protein and fiber. It also includes vegetables like carrots and celery, which contribute vitamins and minerals. Therefore, overall, it makes for a balanced and comforting dish.

Have a look at the breakdown of nutritional information in the table below.

Calories	230 kcal
Fat	4 g
Saturated fat	1 g
Cholesterol	25 mg
Sodium	521 mg
Carbohydrates	31 g
Sugar	3 g
Fibre	8 g
Protein	20 g

This soup suits people who follow a high-protein, high-fibre, gluten-free diet.

How-To-Make-Old-Fashioned-Ham-&-Bean-Soup-Recipe

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Keto-Friendly: Making a keto-friendly version of this soup is also pretty simple. I use diced zucchini or cauliflower instead of dried beans, green onions instead of normal onions, and chopped bell peppers instead of carrots.
Paleo: To make a paleo version, I just swap navy beans for cauliflower, canola oil for olive oil, and fully cooked, cubed hams for unprocessed meats like chicken or turkey.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Refrigerator: As soon as the soup cools to room temperature, I transfer it to an airtight container. This way, it can stay fresh in the refrigerator for five days.
Freezer: If I wish to store the soup for longer, I freeze it in the freezer by transferring it to heavy-duty freezer bags or freezer-safe containers. I also leave a little gap at the top of the container because the soup will expand. It keeps my soup fresh for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Stovetop: Whenever I want to consume the soup, I simply transfer it to a pot and reheat it while stirring occasionally. If the soup gets too thick, I pour some water to bring it to the desired consistency. I let it simmer for 10-15 minutes until it is thoroughly heated.
Microwave: Heating the soup in a microwave is also a good option. Transfer your soup to a microwave-safe container and cover it with a lid or a paper towel to avoid spilling. Then, heat it for 2-3 minutes, stirring in between, to ensure that the heat is evenly distributed.

What To Serve With This Recipe

If you are a health freak, try this soup with Grilled Chicken Breasts or Thighs. To add some extra elegance to the soup, I sometimes have it with Shrimp Scampi. Trust me, this pair tastes amazing.

I also love to have this soup with Simple Meatballs and Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus. However, if you want vegetarian sides, you can enjoy this soup with Bruschetta, Garlic Bread, and Parmesan Crisps. They add a crunchy element to your meal.

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More Soup Recipes That You Can Try

Gordon Ramsay Style Broccoli Soup — Outback Steakhouse French Onion Soup

Conclusion

Making this Ham and Bean Soup is a fulfilling experience because it involves a variety of ingredients and simple cooking techniques. This soup is not only delicious but also nutritious, as the nutritional information mentioned above demonstrates.

However, it may not be suitable for some kinds of diets. But the good news is that it can be easily adapted to fit a few kinds of diets by using simple ingredient substitutions.

With the tips and tricks mentioned, you can also customize your soup to your liking. Do share your thoughts about this soup in the comment section below.

Old Fashioned Ham And Bean Soup Recipe

Equipment Required

Old Fashioned Ham And Bean Soup Ingredients & Substitutions

Preparation And Cooking Time