Name: Ham and Bean Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 130 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound dried Great Northern beans.; 1 ham bone from cooked ham.; 2 cups leftover ham, diced.; 1 onion, chopped.; 2 carrots, peeled and diced.; 2 celery stalks, diced.; 4 cloves garlic, minced.; 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth.; 2 bay leaves.; 1 teaspoon dried thyme.; Salt and pepper to taste.; Fresh parsley for garnish.

A close-up of a bowl of hearty bean soup with chunks of ham, vegetables, and garnished with parsley. | recipesim.com

My ham and bean soup is pure comfort in a bowl. It's one of those recipes that just fills your kitchen with the coziest aromas while it simmers. I love how something so simple as beans ham and veggies can turn into such a satisfying meal.

The Perfect Way to Use Up Ham

After every holiday dinner I look forward to making this soup with the leftover ham. While sandwiches are nice there's something special about transforming those leftovers into a rich hearty soup that warms you from the inside out.

Everything You Need in Your Kitchen

Great Northern Beans: I soak these overnight they get so creamy and tender.
Ham Bone: This is what makes the broth absolutely amazing.
Diced Ham: Use your leftover holiday ham or grab some from the store.
Yellow Onion: Adds such a lovely sweetness to the base.
Carrots and Celery: These veggies add color and flavor.
Fresh Garlic: I love the flavor it brings.
Chicken Broth: Makes everything rich and delicious.
Bay Leaves and Thyme: My favorite herbs for this soup.
Salt, Pepper, and Parsley: Season to your taste and garnish.

Let's Make Some Soup

Start With Your Beans: Give your beans a good rinse and soak them overnight. If you're in a hurry you can do a quick soak just boil them then let them sit for an hour.
Cook Your Veggies: Get your pot nice and warm with some olive oil then toss in those onions carrots celery and garlic. Let them soften up and smell wonderful.
Put It All Together: Add your beans ham bone diced ham broth and herbs. Everything goes in the pot now.
Let It Simmer: This is where the magic happens. Let it bubble away gently for about 2 hours until those beans are perfectly tender.
Time to Serve: Fish out that ham bone get any extra meat off it then season your soup just right. A sprinkle of parsley makes it pretty.

A bowl of hearty bean and vegetable soup, garnished with fresh parsley, sits on a wooden surface. | recipesim.com

Making It Your Own

I love how flexible this recipe is. Sometimes I make a big batch for when the whole family visits or just a small pot for quiet weeknight dinners. Any white beans work beautifully here and you can always add extra ham if you don't have a bone.

My Secret to Amazing Flavor

That ham bone is pure gold when it comes to flavor. Let everything simmer low and slow that's how you get that rich delicious broth. If your soup gets too thick just splash in some extra broth when you warm it up.

What Goes Great With This Soup

Nothing beats a piece of warm cornbread or crusty roll with this soup. I usually serve it with a simple green salad too. The combination is just perfect especially on chilly evenings.

Saving Some for Later

This soup keeps beautifully. Pop it in an airtight container and it'll stay good in your fridge for about 3 days. If you want to freeze it portion it out first it'll keep for a couple months that way.

A flat lay of various fresh ingredients for cooking, including diced carrots, celery, chicken, herbs, spices, garlic, and oil arranged on a wooden table. | recipesim.com

Warming It Up Right

Skip the microwave when you're reheating this soup. A gentle warmup on the stove keeps everything tasting fresh and delicious. Add a splash of broth if needed.

Mix It Up

Feel free to play around with different beans or add extra herbs. Sometimes I toss in some rosemary or even some potatoes. Make it your own that's what cooking is all about.

Adding Extra Flavor

Try a pinch of smoked paprika or hot sauce if you like things spicy. Sometimes I crumble some bacon on top or add a dollop of sour cream it's absolutely delicious.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

The magic happens during that slow simmer when all the flavors come together. The ham bone makes the broth rich and savory while the beans soak up all that goodness.

A blue pot filled with ham, white beans, and herbs sits on a wooden table, alongside bowls of salt and pepper. | recipesim.com

Choosing Your Beans

Great Northern beans are my favorite for this soup they get so creamy. But navy or cannellini beans work beautifully too each one brings its own special touch to the pot.

Perfect After the Holidays

This soup has become my after holiday tradition. It's such a cozy way to enjoy those ham leftovers and everyone always looks forward to it.

Freezer Ready Meals

I always make extra to freeze. Just pop portions into containers label them and you've got a homemade meal ready whenever you need it.

Good for You Too

This isn't just comfort food it's packed with good things. The beans give you protein and fiber and all those veggies add lots of nutrients.

A person uses tongs to lift a piece of ham out of a pot of beans and vegetables, surrounded by bowls of spices. | recipesim.com

Pure Comfort

There's something about a pot of this soup simmering on the stove that just makes everything feel right. It's the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table.

Good Any Time of Year

While I make this most often in winter it's really wonderful year round. I switch up the vegetables based on what's fresh and in season.

The Kids Love It Too

Even my picky eaters enjoy this soup. I let them add their own toppings like cheese or crackers it makes it more fun for them.

A Recipe to Remember

This soup is more than just dinner it's one of those recipes that becomes part of your family story. I learned it from my mom and now my kids help me make it too.

A blue pot filled with hearty soup containing beans, diced vegetables, and pieces of meat is displayed on a wooden surface, surrounded by herbs and a decorative item. | recipesim.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why soak the beans overnight?: Soaking reduces cooking time and helps the beans cook more evenly. It also makes them easier to digest. You can use the quick-soak method if you're short on time.
→ What if I don't have a ham bone?: Smoked ham hocks make a good substitute, or you can simply use additional diced ham. The ham bone adds extra flavor but isn't essential.
→ How do I store leftovers?: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The soup will thicken as it sits, so add more broth when reheating.
→ Can I freeze this soup?: Yes, this soup freezes well. Cool completely before freezing in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months.
→ Why pick through the beans?: Dried beans may contain small stones or debris. Picking through them ensures no unwanted items end up in your soup.

Ham and Bean Soup