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Cozy Ham and Navy Bean Soup

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A quick and comforting stovetop soup featuring smoky ham and creamy navy beans, ready in just 15 minutes. Perfect for chilly evenings and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (450g) navy beans, canned or cooked
  • 1 to 1½ cups (150-225g) ham bone or leftover ham, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium carrot, diced
  • 1 celery stalk, diced
  • 4 cups (950ml) chicken broth, low-sodium recommended
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the ingredients: finely chop the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Chop leftover ham into bite-size pieces. If using a ham bone, keep it whole. Rinse the navy beans if using canned.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat in a large heavy-bottomed pot. Add the onion, carrot, and celery, stirring occasionally until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes.
  3. Stir in minced garlic, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Pour in 4 cups (950ml) of chicken broth. Add the navy beans, bay leaf, and ham bone or chopped ham pieces. Stir to combine.
  5. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes to meld flavors and infuse the broth.
  6. Remove the bay leaf and ham bone (if used). Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Add more broth or water if the soup is too thick.
  7. Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Use leftover ham or ham bone for smoky richness. Avoid burning garlic by adding it last in the sauté step. Adjust seasoning at the end as ham and broth can be salty. For a vegetarian version, omit ham and use vegetable broth with smoked paprika and liquid smoke. Simmer gently to keep beans tender and veggies soft but not mushy. Mash some beans for a creamier texture if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: ham and navy bean soup, quick soup, stovetop soup, comfort food, easy weeknight meal, smoky ham soup, bean soup

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/cozy-ham-and-navy-bean-soup-recipe-15-minute-easy-stovetop-meal/