Hearty Ham and White Bean Soup Recipe: Cozy Comfort in a Bowl

Winter nights call for hearty ham and white bean soup that warms you from the inside out.

Crisp temperatures demand comfort in a bowl, beckoning with rich, smoky aromas.

Tender white beans mingle with savory ham chunks, creating a rustic melody of flavors.

Memories of grandma’s kitchen drift through this classic recipe, inviting nostalgia and warmth.

Nutritious ingredients blend seamlessly, promising a satisfying meal that nourishes both body and soul.

Each spoonful tells a story of tradition and simplicity.

You’ll want to ladle this comforting soup into deep bowls and savor every delicious moment.

Ham and Bean Soup FAQ

• What type of white beans work best in this soup?

Great northern beans or cannellini beans are perfect for this recipe. They have a creamy texture and absorb flavors wonderfully, making them ideal for ham and white bean soup.

• Can I use other meats instead of ham?

Absolutely! Diced smoked turkey, bacon, or leftover roasted chicken can be excellent substitutes that provide similar rich flavor profiles to the soup.

• Is this soup nutritious?

Yes, this soup is packed with protein from the beans and ham, and loaded with vitamins from the vegetables. It’s a balanced, hearty meal that provides essential nutrients and helps keep you full.

• How can I make the soup more filling?

Consider adding a handful of small pasta like ditalini or orzo during the last 10 minutes of cooking. These will add extra substance and make the soup more satisfying without changing the core recipe.

Ham and White Bean Soup That Feels Like a Hug

• Perfect for busy weeknight meals with minimal prep time and maximum satisfaction.
• Loaded with protein from white beans and ham, plus vitamins from fresh vegetables, creating a balanced one-pot meal.
• Excellent way to repurpose leftover holiday ham into a delicious, hearty soup that stretches your ingredients and budget.
• Simple technique requires just one pot, basic ingredients, and minimal culinary skills, making it accessible for home cooks of all levels.

What’s in the Bowl: Ham and White Bean Soup Ingredients

• Onion: Foundational flavor builder with a sweet and aromatic profile, adds depth to the soup.
• Carrots: Provides natural sweetness and vibrant orange color, contributes to overall nutritional value.
• Celery: Offers a subtle herbal note and crisp texture, enhances the soup's base flavor.
• Garlic: Intense, pungent flavor that creates a robust aromatic base for the soup.

• Ham: Smoky, salty meat that adds rich protein and depth to the soup's flavor profile, use diced or leftover ham.
• White Beans: Creamy, protein-packed legumes that provide hearty texture and mild flavor, choose canned or pre-cooked beans.

• Chicken Broth: Provides liquid base and additional savory depth, use low-sodium for better flavor control.
• Dried Thyme: Earthy, slightly minty herb that complements the ham and beans, use dried for concentrated flavor.
• Dried Rosemary: Woody, aromatic herb that adds complexity to the soup, helps enhance other ingredients.

• Fresh Parsley, Fresh Thyme: Bright, fresh herbs that add color and light herbal finish to the soup.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning to balance and enhance overall taste, adjust according to preference.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables, adds subtle fruity undertone to the soup's base.

How to Simmer the Perfect Ham and White Bean Soup

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Chopped onions
• Chopped carrots
• Chopped celery

Cook vegetables for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until they become soft and translucent.

Step 2: Infuse Herbal Essence

• Minced garlic
• Dried thyme
• Dried rosemary

Sauté for 1-2 minutes until garlic releases its fragrant aroma.

Step 3: Build Liquid Foundation

Pour chicken broth into the pot. Add drained and rinsed white beans. Stir ingredients and bring mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Enrich With Protein

Introduce diced ham into the pot. Stir thoroughly and allow soup to simmer on low heat for 20-25 minutes. This slow cooking process helps flavors develop and blend harmoniously. Season with salt and pepper according to preference.

Step 5: Present And Embellish

Ladle soup into serving bowls. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or thyme on top for a vibrant finishing touch and enhanced flavor profile.

Pro Tips for the Best Ham and White Bean Soup Texture

• Boost Vegetable Flavor: Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
• Control Salt Wisely: Use low-sodium broth and ham, then adjust seasoning gradually to prevent over-salting.
• Enhance Texture Variety: Choose firmer white beans like cannellini or great northern to maintain their shape during simmering.
• Make It Lighter: Swap ham with smoked turkey or lean chicken for a lower-fat protein alternative that still delivers rich taste.
• Extend Soup Life: Store leftovers in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, reheating gently to preserve bean and vegetable texture.

Store and Reheat Ham and White Bean Soup Gracefully

• Store leftover ham and white bean soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep the soup fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring maximum flavor retention.
• Transfer soup to a pot and warm over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent burning and ensure even heating. Add a splash of chicken broth if the soup seems too thick.
• Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals. Stir between intervals to distribute heat evenly, checking temperature until thoroughly warmed.

Great Pairings for Ham and White Bean Soup

• Slice thick, rustic sourdough bread and toast until golden brown. Its tangy flavor and crispy texture perfectly complement the hearty soup, helping soak up the delicious broth.
• Select a medium-bodied Chardonnay with subtle oak notes. The wine's buttery smoothness balances the saltiness of the ham and adds a sophisticated touch to the rustic soup.
• Create a light salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette. The fresh, crisp greens provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, warm soup, cutting through its hearty texture.
• Serve a warm apple crumble for dessert. The sweet, cinnamon-spiced dessert offers a delightful end to the meal, echoing the comforting flavors of the ham and white bean soup.

Variations to Try for Ham and White Bean Soup

• Vegetarian Bean Soup: Replace ham with smoked tofu or tempeh, using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a plant-based version that maintains rich flavor and protein content.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Ensure all ingredients like broth and ham are certified gluten-free, verifying no hidden wheat-based additives are present in the components.
• Low-Sodium Option: Use reduced-sodium chicken broth, lean Canadian bacon instead of traditional ham, and minimize added salt while boosting herb quantities for increased taste complexity.
• Mediterranean-Style Variation: Incorporate chopped fresh rosemary, add diced tomatoes, sprinkle feta cheese on top, and include a splash of white wine during simmering to create a Mediterranean-inspired profile.

Ham And White Bean Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 to 8 1x

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Description

Hearty ham and white bean soup celebrates rustic Italian comfort, blending smoky pork and creamy legumes into a soul-warming masterpiece. Nonna’s kitchen wisdom shines through each spoonful, inviting warmth and satisfaction to your winter table.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 2 cups (about 300 g) cooked ham, diced

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced

Liquids and Beans:

• 4 cups (1 liter) chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 cups (480 ml) water
• 3 cans (15 oz / 425 g each) white beans (such as cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Optional Garnish:

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Crusty bread or crackers for serving

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over medium temperature, then gently sauté the diced onions, carrots, and celery until they become tender and translucent, releasing their aromatic essence.
2. Introduce minced garlic, dried thyme, and rosemary to the vegetable medley, allowing the herbs to bloom and intensify their fragrance for approximately one to two minutes.
3. Cascade the chicken broth into the pot, followed by thoroughly rinsed white beans, creating a harmonious liquid base that will serve as the soup’s foundation.
4. Incorporate the diced ham into the bubbling mixture, allowing the protein to infuse its smoky richness throughout the liquid while simmering on low heat for 20-25 minutes.
5. Season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting the flavors to create a balanced and comforting profile.
6. Carefully portion the steaming soup into serving bowls, then elegantly garnish with freshly chopped parsley or delicate thyme leaves, adding a vibrant finishing touch to this hearty and warming dish.

Notes

• Boost vegetable flavor by caramelizing onions slightly longer for deeper, richer taste profile.
• Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth to create a vegetarian-friendly version of the soup.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium ham and choosing low-sodium chicken broth for health-conscious diners.
• Enhance protein content by adding extra beans or diced chicken as an alternative to ham for flexible meal options.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6 to 8
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 4 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg