Ham and Bean Soup

🍲 Ham and Bean Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked ham (diced or shredded, smoked ham works best)
• 1 meaty ham bone (optional, adds depth)
• 2 cups dry beans (Navy beans, Great Northern beans, or a mix with red beans – soak overnight)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 carrots (diced)
• 2 celery stalks (diced)
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp thyme (or rosemary)
• 6 cups chicken broth (or water with bouillon)
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the beans
   
   • If using dry beans: soak overnight, then drain. (Or quick soak by boiling for 2 min, then resting 1 hr).
3. Cook the base
   
   • In a large pot, sauté onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until fragrant.
5. Add ham & beans
   
   • Stir in beans, diced ham, ham bone (if using), bay leaf, thyme, and broth.
7. Simmer
   
   • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer uncovered for 1.5–2 hours until beans are tender and soup thickens.
   • Stir occasionally and add more broth/water if too thick.
9. Finish
   
   • Remove ham bone, shred extra meat into soup.
   • Season with salt & pepper (taste first – ham is salty).
11. Serve
    
    • Ladle into bowls, sprinkle parsley, and enjoy with cornbread or crusty bread.