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Hearty Ham and Bean Soup with Leftover Ham Bone

Close-up of a rich, creamy Ham and bean soup topped with shredded ham, served in a white mug.
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Make a soul-satisfying, homestyle ham and bean soup using your leftover holiday ham bone. This recipe creates a rich, smoky broth perfect for a cold day.

Ingredients

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  • 1 large ham bone (with meat attached)
  • 1 pound dried navy beans or Great Northern beans, rinsed
  • 8 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded leftover ham, cut into bite-sized pieces (optional, for later)

Instructions

  1. If you have time, soak the dried beans overnight in water. Drain them before starting the soup. If you skip soaking, you will need to increase the simmer time.
  2. Place the ham bone, rinsed beans, water or broth, onion, carrots, celery, bay leaves, thyme, and pepper into a large stockpot or Dutch oven.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat immediately to low, cover the pot partially, and let it simmer.
  4. Simmer for 2 to 3 hours, or until the beans are completely tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Remove the ham bone from the pot. Discard the bone and bay leaves.
  6. Shred any remaining meat from the bone and return the meat to the soup. If you have extra leftover ham, add the shredded pieces now.
  7. Continue to simmer for another 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. If you prefer a thicker soup, mash some of the beans against the side of the pot.
  8. Taste and add salt only if needed, as the ham bone usually provides enough saltiness. Serve hot, perhaps with cornbread for dipping.

Notes

  • Soaking beans overnight reduces cooking time significantly.
  • For a quick weeknight meal, consider using a slow cooker after bringing the soup to a boil on the stove first.
  • This soup freezes well for future meals, making it great for simple meal planning.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://carlacooking.com/ham-and-bean-soup/