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Hearty Leftover Ham and Bean Soup

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A cozy, comforting soup combining smoky leftover ham and tender beans simmered slowly with vegetables and herbs, perfect for chilly evenings or using up holiday leftovers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (300g) leftover cooked ham, diced (smoky or honey-glazed works great)
  • 1 cup dried navy beans or great northern beans (soaked overnight for best results)
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Optional: pinch of smoked paprika or a splash of apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 cup (190g) dried navy beans thoroughly and soak overnight in at least 4 cups (1 liter) of water. For a quick soak, boil beans for 2 minutes, then cover and let sit for 1 hour. Drain and rinse before cooking.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add diced onions, carrots, and celery (about 1 cup each). Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute without burning.
  3. Add soaked and drained beans, 6 cups (1.4 liters) chicken broth, bay leaves, and dried thyme. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and partially cover.
  4. Simmer gently for 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender but not mushy. Add water or more broth if liquid reduces too much. Adjust black pepper halfway through cooking.
  5. Stir in diced leftover ham and simmer for another 10-15 minutes to infuse flavor.
  6. Optional: Remove about 1.5 cups (350ml) of soup and blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Return blended portion to pot and stir well for creamier texture.
  7. Taste and add salt as needed. Optionally add a pinch of smoked paprika or a splash of apple cider vinegar to brighten flavors.
  8. Remove bay leaves before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Keep heat low and simmer gently to avoid tough beans. Soaking beans overnight improves texture and reduces cooking time. Add salt at the end to prevent toughening beans. Blending part of the soup creates a creamy texture without cream. Soup flavors deepen after resting overnight. Can use canned beans for quicker prep but reduce simmer time.

Nutrition

Keywords: ham and bean soup, leftover ham recipe, comfort food, easy soup, cozy meal, slow simmer soup, hearty soup

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/hearty-leftover-ham-and-bean-soup-recipe-easy-cozy-comfort-meal/