Best Ham and Bean Soup
Classic ham and bean soup made with dried beans, vegetables, and smoky ham.
Ingredients
- 1 lb dried great northern beans or navy beans
- 8 cups water or chicken broth
- 1½ –2 cups cooked ham diced (or 1 ham bone)
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 carrots sliced
- 2 celery stalks sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Soak and rinse beans.
- Sauté vegetables.
- Add beans, liquid, ham, and seasonings.
- Simmer until beans are tender.
- Adjust seasoning and serve.
Notes
- Salt at the end
- Simmer gently
- Thickens as it cools
- Excellent leftovers