Description
Hearty Ham and Bean Soup Delight is a comforting, protein-packed soup featuring tender Great Northern beans simmered with smoky ham hock and diced ham. Enhanced with carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and subtle spices, this classic soup delivers deep, savory flavors perfect for warming your soul on chilly days.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Ingredients
- 8 cups Water
- 1 cup Dry Great Northern Beans
- 1 piece Ham Hock
- 2 cups Chopped Cooked Ham
- 2 medium Carrots, chopped
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- 2 stalks Celery, chopped
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Mustard Powder
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground White Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Salt (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Prep the Beans: Rinse the dry Great Northern beans and soak them overnight. For a quicker soak, boil the beans for 2 minutes, cover, and let them sit for 1 hour to soften.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large soup pot, add the soaked beans along with 8 cups water, ham hock, chopped cooked ham, chopped carrots, onion, celery, minced garlic, mustard powder, bay leaves, and ground white pepper. Stir gently to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Simmer the Soup: Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking until the beans are tender and the soup has thickened.
- Shred Ham Hock Meat: Remove the ham hock from the pot carefully. Shred the meat off the bone and discard bones and excess fat. Return the shredded meat to the pot and stir well to incorporate the smoky flavor back into the soup.
- Adjust Seasoning & Texture: Taste the soup and add salt as needed to enhance the flavors. If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can purée a portion of the soup using an immersion blender or stir in a cornstarch slurry for desired thickness.
- Serve Warm: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Serve immediately, ideally accompanied by crusty bread or grilled cheese sandwiches for a complete, hearty meal.
Notes
- Soaking beans overnight helps reduce cooking time and improves texture.
- Substitute smoked turkey for ham hock for a lighter flavor.
- You can replace carrots with parsnips and celery with fennel for different flavor profiles.
- Remove bay leaves before serving to avoid bitterness.
- For extra creaminess, partially blend the soup before adding shredded ham back in.
