HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (2024)

By Nicole Harris 19 Comments

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How do you use that leftover ham from your holiday feast? Make thisHam and Bean Soup Recipe to use your ham leftovers in an entirely new dinner. This easy, healthy meal is perfect for a cold Winter day.

How Do You Make A Good Ham And Bean Soup

It’s all about adding textures and flavors. This Ham and Bean Soup has beans, carrots, celery, tomatoes, cabbage and ham. The savory broth will warm you up on the coldest days. Fresh ingredients prepared from scratch make this soup the best!

This soup recipe is a great way to use up that leftover ham from your holiday feast. Here are a couple recipes for those holiday hams to get you started: Pineapple Honey Glazed HamOrange Honey Baked Ham

Can you use canned beans in this soup?

Yes, you can. I’m not against using canned beans when that is what you have on hand. Just make sure you rinse the canned beans thoroughly before adding to the soup. You also will not need to cook the beans so that decreases the cooking time. If using canned beans, cook the broth and veggies until carrots are fork tender then add the beans and ham.

However, I highly recommend using dried beans. It takes some planning because you need to soak the beans. But it is worth that extra effort.

What Bean Do You Use For Ham And Beans

Navy beans or great northern beans are the best for Ham and Bean Soup, in my opinion. While you can use canned beans, dried beans make the best soup.

What goes in Ham and Bean Soup?

  • Dried Navy Beans
  • White Onion
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Garlic
  • Chicken Stock
  • Canned Diced Tomatoes
  • Bay Leaf
  • Garlic Powder
  • Dried Italian Herbs
  • Green Cabbage
  • Ham

Leftover Ham Recipes:

Ham and Cheese Pastry Bake
Deviled Ham
Ham Fettuccine Bake
Ham and Potato Corn Chowder
Sweet Potato Ham and Cheese Skillet

HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (5)

Ham and Bean Soup Recipe

Yield: 8

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Additional Time: 6 hours

Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes

How do you use that leftover ham from your holiday feast? Make thisHam and Bean Soup Recipe to use your ham leftovers in an entirely new dinner. This easy, healthy meal is perfect for a cold Winter day.

Ingredients

  • 1 Lb Dried Navy Beans
  • 3 Tablespoons Oil
  • 1 White Onion, (chopped)
  • 4 Carrots, (chopped)
  • 2 Celery Stalks, (sliced)
  • 5 Garlic Cloves, (finely chopped)
  • 64 ounces Chicken Stock
  • 14.5 ounce Can Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Italian Herbs
  • Fresh Cracked Pepper
  • 2 Cups Shredded Green Cabbage
  • 2-3 Cups Chopped Ham
  • Salt - to taste (if needed)

Instructions

  1. Rinse dried beans then cover with several inches of water. Soak beans over night then rinse again.
  2. Heat oil in large dutch oven pot over high heat. Saute onion, carrots and celery 4-5 minutes while stirring. Add garlic and saute 30-60 seconds.
  3. Add beans, chicken stock, tomatoes, bay leaf, garlic powder, Italian herbs and pepper. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer. Cover, leaving lid slightly ajar. Cook for 90 minutes. Check consistency of beans. If the beans are still quite firm, cook for 30 minutes longer.
  4. Remove lid and add ham and cabbage. Cook for 15-20 more minutes. Salt to taste (This will vary depending on the saltiness of the ham. The soup may not even need salt.) Discard bay leaf and serve.

Notes

*Cook ham bone in broth and beans to add extra flavor*

Nutrition Information

Yield 8Serving Size 1
Amount Per ServingCalories 413Total Fat 17gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 12gCholesterol 64mgSodium 1650mgCarbohydrates 36gFiber 10gSugar 8gProtein 29g

Nutritional information on WonkyWonderful is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.

HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (9)

This post contains affiliate links. Basically, I get a little kick back for sending you over to purchase. . . at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!Nutrition information on this recipe is approximate.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (10)Bryan Martinez says

    This looks really good! It’ll definitely go well with the cold season right now, I think I’ll just add some jalapenos to this soup for an extra kick, thank you!

    Reply

    • HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (11)Nicole Harris says

      Oh, I like that addition 🙂

      Reply

    • HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (13)Nicole Harris says

      Yes, I’m sure this will work in a crockpot. The cooking time will be increased though.

      Reply

  2. HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (14)Kelly says

    What is the bright green on top? Only see dry herbs in recipe.

    Reply

    • HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (15)Nicole Harris says

      That is fresh parsley. I usually add it to make the photos pop. You can add it or not, your preference.

      Reply

      • HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (16)Kelly says

        Thanks for the answer…I haven’t made your recipe yet, but my Easter ham bone is waiting in the fridge! This weekend I’m trying.

        Reply

  3. HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (17)Kelly says

    Just made this. Used a ham bone in bean cooking step and half the broth in recipe (mostly because my Dutch oven was not big enough with the ham bone included) This was so delicious! Love the tomato and cabbage addition. Thanks for great recipe!

    Reply

    • HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (18)Nicole Harris says

      Awesome! Glad you enjoyed this soup…one of my favorites!

      Reply

  4. HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (19)Gail says

    Do you think I could freeze this soup in small amounts for lunches?

    Reply

    • HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (20)Nicole Harris says

      I haven’t tried freezing. I personally don’t like the consistency of beans when they have been frozen then thawed. Other than that I would think it would be fine.

      Reply

  5. HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (21)Murray P says

    I don’t eat tomatoes ,but, I like tomatoe sauce and paste, can I substitute the tomatoes for a small can of paste or half can of sauce?

    Reply

    • HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (22)Nicole Harris says

      Yes, just be careful of too much tomato paste as it can be on the salty side.

      Reply

  6. HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (23)Sue says

    I made this and it was delicious!

    Reply

  7. HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (24)Carrie says

    Great recipe! Healthy and delicious
    Everyone loves it! I have done this recipe as directed and also with a left over ham bone from Easter!
    Both great but… I thought using ham bone gave it a richer flavor!
    My 8 grand kids love this soup ages from 1 to 8.
    That says a lot on a recipe!
    Thank you for sharing!
    I’ve made it 3 times already and I’m sure it will be made many more!

    Reply

  8. HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (25)Ada Chinery says

    Working on the soup as I type…… couldn’t see where it said to put in the ham bone. We have combined everything and will check the bone in a half hour. Smells really good!

    Reply

  9. HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (26)Leslee Pettitt-Myers says

    This recipe looks delicious!I love the addition of the cabbage and tomatoes. I’m wondering if you have any experience with Cottage Ham. I was unable to find any ham hocks/shanks, but came across this pork product. It is pork butt that is brined. I think it would work beautifully, but would appreciate any advice or your experience. Thank you!

    Reply

  10. HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (27)Summer Yule says

    Delicious and easy recipe to use up leftover bits of Christmas ham! This soup will be my lunches for the coming week 🙂 Thank you so much for the meal inspiration!

    Reply

  11. HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (28)Kevin Ireland says

    I make a LOT of soups – and this was one of the best ever. I had leftover honey-cured ham that I needed to use up, and combined it with two chopped Tofurkey-brand plant-based Italian sausages. I followed the recipe, using 2 well-rinsed cans of Great Northern Beans and 1 can Garbanzo Beans. In the last 30 minutes, I added one chopped zucchini and about 4oz (1/2 package) chopped portabella mushrooms. I served with a dollop of low-fat sour cream. SO good!

    Reply

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HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (2024)

FAQs

What makes ham and bean soup thicken? ›

You can use flour, cornstarch, arrowroot or potato starch as a thickening agent; whisk up to 4 tablespoons with a cup of hot broth and add it to the pot. You can use a slurry in conjunction with a roux but in that case, choose a starch for the slurry other than flour.

How do you thicken ham and bean soup without cornstarch? ›

One effective way to thicken ham and bean soup without changing its flavor is by using a roux. Start by melting equal parts butter and flour in a separate saucepan. Whisk the mixture until it turns into a paste-like consistency.

How do you thicken ham hock and beans? ›

If you find yours is too runny, you have several options for making it thicker. Try adding breadcrumbs, cream or pureed vegetables to make a heartier ham and beans. If you don't have any extra ingredients, you can add a vegetable-based starch. Cornstarch will thicken your meal without changing its flavor.

Why are my ham and beans watery? ›

Excessive cooking or stirring may damage cornstarch integrity and cause your ham and beans to thin out.

Can you use instant mashed potatoes to thicken bean soup? ›

Honestly, if you just stir in a little instant mash, like Smash, your soup will thicken up in no time at all. Now, you may end up needing more than a spoonful, but it's best to add a little at a time, because remember, you can always add more of it, but you can't take it away.

What does cornstarch do to soup? ›

Cornstarch, or corn flour, can be used to thicken soup through its high starch content. Cornstarch is a great thickener for soup because only a little bit is needed to significantly thicken a soup, and it will not affect the flavor profile of the soup.

What is the best soup thickener? ›

Whisking beurre manié (butter-flour paste) into simmering soup is the best way to thicken an otherwise too-watery soup. Add bits of the paste gradually and simmer to cook out any raw flour taste. The broth will be velvety smooth, rich, and thick.

How do you make soup thicker without flour or cornstarch? ›

A handful of uncooked rice. That's all folks, just a handful of white rice. Any kind will do: jasmine, basmati, short grain, long grain. When added to a brothy (or watery, even) soup, and left to simmer for 20-30 minutes, the rice breaks down, releasing its starch and thickening the liquid that it's cooking in.

Why is my bean soup not thick? ›

In a separate pan, melt some butter and add an equal amount of flour. Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat until it turns golden brown. Then, gradually whisk the roux into your bean soup, making sure to incorporate it well. The roux will not only thicken the soup but also add a rich and savory flavor.

Does bean soup thicken on its own? ›

Rice, lentils, and beans release a lot of starch and naturally thicken soups simply from simmering, but you can also mash half the cooked rice/lentils/beans before adding to the soup for a simple way to thicken your dish. Alternatively, blend half or all of the soup for a smoother texture.

How much cornstarch to thicken beans? ›

Use starches to thicken beans

Simply add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to 1 cup of water or to the liquid from the baked beans (scoop it out into a separate bowl and let it cool first) and mix. Once the starch is thoroughly incorporated, pour the slurry into the baked beans dish and stir.

What juice keeps ham moist? ›

How to Prepare the Most Tender, Juicy Ham With Apple Juice or Pineapple | Livestrong.com. If you want to prepare pre-cooked ham so it's tender, juicy and flavor, the key is in the glaze. Here's how to bake the best ham with apple juice or pineapple.

How do you make ham and bean soup less gassy? ›

To cut down on the gassy properties, you can add a little baking soda to your recipe. The baking soda helps break down some of the beans' natural gas-making sugars. I tested this while fixing one of my favorite slow cooker recipes: red beans and sausage.

How do I get my beans creamy? ›

Pour one can of pinto beans, including the liquid in the can, into a high-speed blender then blend until smooth and creamy and set aside. Drain then rinse the second can of pinto beans and set aside. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a small pan over medium heat.

How do you thicken soup bean soup? ›

Remove a quarter of the beans from the soup and purée them in a blender or food processor. Add the puréed beans back into the soup to thicken it. You can also use an immersion blender or potato masher to purée a portion of the bean soup.

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