The Best Homemade Recipe Ham & Bean Soup

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What You’ll Love About This Recipe

This homemade ham and bean soup is a comforting classic that’s perfect for chilly days. With simple ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll have a hearty meal that feels like a warm hug.

It’s incredibly filling, packed with tender beans, savory ham, and flavorful broth.
You can customize it with your favorite veggies or spices to make it your own.
Leftovers taste even better the next day, making it a great meal-prep option.

Recipe

This hearty homemade ham and bean soup is a comforting classic, perfect for chilly days or using leftover ham. It’s easy to make, flavorful, and packed with wholesome ingredients.

Ingredients:

1 lb dried navy beans (or great northern beans)

8 cups water

1 meaty ham bone or 2 cups diced ham

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup chopped carrots

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 bay leaves

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)

2 cups chicken broth

Instructions:

Rinse and sort the dried beans. Place them in a large pot and cover with water. Let soak overnight, then drain and rinse.
In the same pot, add the soaked beans, water, ham bone (or diced ham), onion, celery, carrots, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, pepper, and salt.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender.
Remove the ham bone (if using), shred any meat, and return it to the pot.
Add the chicken broth and simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes:

If you don’t have time to soak the beans, use the quick soak method: boil the beans in water for 2 minutes, then let them sit off the heat for 1 hour before draining and rinsing.
For added depth of flavor, sprinkle with parsley or a dash of smoked paprika before serving.

Equipment:

Large pot or Dutch oven

Time:

Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus soaking time)

Cook Time: 2 hours

Cuisine:

American

Serving:

6-8 servings

Nutrition

This homemade ham & bean soup is packed with nutrients. Here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving:

Nutrient | Amount

— | —

Calories | 250 kcal

Protein | 16 g

Carbohydrates | 30 g

Fat | 6 g

Fiber | 10 g

Sodium | 800 mg

What To Serve With It

I always love serving homemade ham and bean soup with warm, crusty bread to soak up all that delicious broth. A fresh, crisp salad on the side adds a nice balance to the hearty soup, making the meal feel complete. It’s a simple combo, but it’s one I keep coming back to because it’s just so satisfying.

Crusty Bread Options

Because there’s nothing better than dipping warm, crusty bread into a hearty bowl of ham and bean soup, I always make sure to have a great bread option on hand. My go-to is a rustic baguette, with its crisp exterior and soft, chewy interior—it’s perfect for soaking up all that flavorful broth. Sometimes I’ll bake fresh garlic bread, loaded with butter and herbs, for an extra punch of flavor. If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll grab a sourdough loaf; its tangy notes pair beautifully with the soup’s richness. Warm ciabatta or a simple country loaf also works wonders. Honestly, any crusty bread elevates this meal.

Fresh Salad Pairings

Want to add something fresh and crisp to balance out that hearty ham and bean soup? I love pairing mine with a simple green salad. Toss together mixed greens, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes, then drizzle with a tangy vinaigrette. It’s light, invigorating, and cuts through the soup’s richness perfectly. Sometimes I’ll add shredded carrots or radishes for extra crunch. If I’m feeling fancy, I throw in some avocado or crumbled feta for creaminess. It’s quick to make, and the bright flavors complement the savory soup so well. Honestly, this combo has become my go-to comfort meal on chillier days!