Ham and Bean Soup

Course: Soups

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 12

Total Time: 12 15

Servings:

Calories: 159.6kcal

This is clearly not my mother’s ham and bean soup. This version is very flavorful and is a delicious way to use leftover ham or a ham hock. The ham bone adds plenty of flavor on its own, so there is no need for broth unless you prefer it.cks.

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Ingredients

16 oz dried Great Northern beans
1 smoked ham bone or ham hock
½ large onion diced (about 1 cup)
1 teaspoon sea salt or to taste
½ tablespoon sage
2 teaspoons celery seed
½ tablespoon Salad Supreme seasoning
1 tablespoon dried minced garlic
1½ tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon thyme
1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Cook the beans:

Place the dried Great Northern beans in a 5-quart or larger slow cooker with 8 cups of water. Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours, or until the beans are tender. Do not drain.

Add the ham and seasonings:

Add the ham bone or ham hock, diced onion, salt, sage, celery seed, Salad Supreme, dried garlic, Italian seasoning, thyme, and pepper to the cooked beans.

Slow cook:

Continue cooking on LOW for about 8 hours, or on HIGH for about 6 hours.

Remove the ham bone:

Once the soup is finished, remove the ham bone or ham hock. Strip off any edible ham and discard the bones, skin, and gristle.

Adjust the consistency:

For a creamier soup, use a potato masher to mash some of the beans directly in the pot. This will naturally thicken the broth. I prefer to leave the beans whole, but either way works.

Add the ham:

Shred or chop the reserved ham and return it to the soup. Stir well and serve hot.

Notes

Beans: Other varieties of beans work well too. Cannellini beans or small white beans are good alternatives.

Water vs. broth: Some recipes call for chicken broth, but I find that a ham bone with meat attached, or added ham, provides plenty of flavor. I use water, but you can substitute chicken broth, turkey stock, or another broth if you prefer.

Extra ham: Add extra ham to achieve the texture, flavor, and consistency you prefer.

Important: Avoid adding ingredients containing sugar while the beans are cooking. Sugar can interfere with the beans softening properly. If you want to add a sweet ingredient for flavor, wait until the beans are fully tender.

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