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Hearty Ham and Bean Soup with Leftover Ham Bone

Close-up of a steaming white bowl filled with hearty Ham and Bean Soup, featuring shredded ham, white beans, and carrots.
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Make a soul-satisfying, homestyle soup using your leftover holiday ham bone. This navy bean stew is simple, comforting, and perfect for a cold day.

Ingredients

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  • 1 large smoked ham bone (with meat attached)
  • 1 pound navy beans, rinsed (or Great Northern beans)
  • 8 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (adjust after removing ham bone)

Instructions

  1. If you did not soak the beans overnight, pick through the rinsed beans and remove any debris. Place the ham bone, beans, water or broth, onion, carrots, celery, bay leaves, thyme, and pepper into a large stockpot.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat immediately to low, cover the pot, and simmer.
  3. Simmer the soup for 2 to 3 hours, or until the beans are completely tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  4. Remove the ham bone from the pot. Let it cool slightly, then shred all the meat from the bone. Discard the bone and any large pieces of fat or gristle.
  5. Return the shredded ham meat to the soup. Taste the broth and add salt as needed, keeping in mind the ham bone adds saltiness.
  6. Continue to simmer uncovered for another 15 minutes to allow the flavors to blend and the soup to thicken slightly. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
  7. Serve your ham and bean soup hot, perhaps with a side of cornbread.

Notes

  • Soaking the navy beans overnight significantly reduces the cooking time. If you soak them, drain the soaking water before adding them to the pot.
  • For a thicker soup, remove about 1 cup of cooked beans and mash them, then stir the mash back into the pot.
  • This recipe freezes well for later meals.

Nutrition

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