Description
This Easy Ham and Bean Soup is the ultimate comfort dish, packed with smoky ham, creamy white beans, tender vegetables, and savory herbs. It’s budget-friendly, quick to make, and perfect for using up leftovers or feeding the whole family on a chilly night.
Ingredients
2 cups cooked ham, diced
2 cans (15 oz each) white beans (Cannellini or Great Northern), drained
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 bay leaf
3 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until vegetables are softened.
3. Stir in garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
4. Add the diced ham and sauté for 2-3 minutes to enhance the flavor.
5. Pour in the chicken broth, then stir in the drained beans, bay leaf, and thyme.
6. Bring to a simmer, cover partially, and cook for 20-25 minutes.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. For a thicker consistency, mash a few beans gently with the back of a spoon.
9. Remove bay leaf before serving.
10. Ladle into bowls and serve hot with crusty bread or cornbread.
Notes
For added flavor, deglaze the pot with a splash of white wine before adding the broth.
Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels, especially if your ham is salty.
Add greens like spinach or kale during the last 5 minutes for a nutrient boost.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: ham and bean soup, leftover ham soup, easy soup recipe