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Cozy Ham Bone and White Bean Soup

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A comforting and hearty soup that transforms leftover ham bones and white beans into a rich, smoky broth perfect for chilly evenings and family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large smoked ham bone with some meat attached
  • 1 ½ cups dry great northern beans or cannellini beans, soaked overnight
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2–3 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Optional: pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 ½ cups of dry beans and soak them overnight in a large bowl with enough water to cover by 2 inches. For a quick soak, boil for 2 minutes then let sit covered for 1 hour.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add diced onion, chopped carrots, and chopped celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring carefully to avoid burning.
  4. Place the smoked ham bone into the pot with the vegetables. Add bay leaves and thyme. Pour in 6 cups of chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.
  5. Drain the soaked beans and add them to the pot. Simmer gently, uncovered or partially covered, for about 1 hour until beans are tender and broth is flavorful. Stir occasionally and skim off any foam or fat.
  6. Remove the ham bone carefully and set aside to cool. Strip any remaining meat from the bone and chop into bite-sized pieces.
  7. Return chopped ham meat to the pot. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add crushed red pepper flakes if desired. Simmer for another 10 minutes to meld flavors.
  8. Ladle soup into bowls and serve hot. Optionally garnish with fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve with crusty bread or a simple green salad.

Notes

Soak beans overnight for best texture and reduced cooking time. Simmer gently to avoid mushy beans. Skim foam and fat during cooking for a clear broth. Season gradually to avoid over-salting. Soup tastes better the next day and can be frozen without ham meat for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: ham bone soup, white bean soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, hearty soup, leftover ham recipe, slow simmer soup

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/cozy-ham-bone-and-white-bean-soup-easy-recipe-for-comforting-meals/