Hearty Navy Bean and Ham Soup

Indulge in the heartwarming embrace of a classic Navy Bean Soup with Ham. This incredibly satisfying dish is more than just a meal; it’s a culinary journey back to comforting, homemade goodness. Perfect for chasing away the chill on a brisk evening, this hearty soup embodies simplicity, flavor, and nourishing appeal. With its rich, savory broth, tender navy beans, and succulent pieces of ham, it’s a time-honored recipe that transforms basic ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience. Whether you’re seeking a nostalgic taste from your childhood or simply a robust and easy-to-prepare dinner, this ham and bean soup promises to be a staple in your recipe collection, delivering warmth and contentment with every spoonful.

This particular Ham and Bean Soup recipe holds a special place in my heart, reminiscent of my dad’s favorite cold-weather dish. Growing up in the Midwest, where winter winds can bite, his old-fashioned recipe wasn’t about gourmet flair, but about genuine comfort and deep, satisfying flavor. It was the kind of meal that felt like a warm hug from the inside out, a culinary anchor during chilly spells. We’ve taken that beloved foundation and infused it with a few expert tricks to elevate the flavor profile, ensuring each bowl is not just filling, but truly unforgettable.

Why This Navy Bean Soup Recipe Is a Must-Try

There are countless reasons to add this comforting Navy Bean Soup to your regular cooking rotation. It’s not just a recipe; it’s an experience that delivers on taste, nutrition, and ease. Here’s why you absolutely need to make this soup:

• Ultimate Comfort in a Bowl: This soup is the epitome of comfort food. It’s incredibly filling, provides a toasty warmth from within, and boasts a deeply savory flavor that satisfies the soul. Imagine coming home on a cold day to a steaming bowl of this wholesome goodness – it’s pure bliss.
• The Magic of a Ham Bone: If you’re anything like me, you likely have a leftover ham bone lurking in the depths of your freezer from a holiday meal like Easter or Christmas. This recipe provides the perfect opportunity to utilize that culinary treasure! A ham bone isn’t just about the scraps of meat; it infuses the entire soup with an unparalleled depth of smoky, rich flavor and a wonderful body that simply cannot be replicated by just using diced ham alone. If you don’t have a bone, don’t fret; readily available ham hocks from your butcher will work wonders, contributing magnificent flavor and a lovely gelatinous texture to your broth.
• Built on Layers of Flavor: What truly sets this soup apart is the intentional layering of flavors. We don’t just throw ingredients into a pot; each step contributes to a complex and delicious profile. From sautéing aromatic vegetables to deglazing the pan and incorporating fresh herbs, every component plays a vital role in creating a soup that is anything but bland. This meticulous approach ensures a rich, harmonious taste that will have everyone asking for seconds.
• Economical and Wholesome: Made primarily with dried beans and common vegetables, this soup is incredibly budget-friendly while still packing a powerful nutritional punch. Navy beans are a fantastic source of plant-based protein, fiber, and essential minerals, making this a meal that’s good for your wallet and your body. It’s a smart choice for feeding a family without compromising on taste or health.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld and deepen. It’s an ideal candidate for meal prepping, allowing you to enjoy delicious, homemade lunches or dinners throughout the week with minimal effort. It also freezes beautifully, making it convenient to have a comforting meal ready whenever cravings strike.

Mastering the Art of Navy Bean Soup: Step-by-Step Guide

Crafting a truly delicious and deeply flavorful Navy Bean Soup with Ham is an art form, focusing on the strategic layering of ingredients and the concentration of flavors. The secret lies in treating each component with care, particularly by sautéing your vegetables before introducing any liquid. Follow these detailed steps to create a soup that will impress:

1. Prepare the Beans for Optimal Cooking: Begin by thoroughly rinsing your dried navy beans under cold running water to remove any dust or debris. It’s also a good practice to quickly sort through them to check for any small stones or imperfect beans. After rinsing, cover the beans with cold water (ensuring there’s at least an inch or two of water above the bean level) and bring them to a rolling boil. Let them simmer for about 5 minutes, then remove from heat, cover the pot, and allow them to soak for at least an hour, or ideally, overnight. This crucial presoaking step rehydrates the beans, significantly shortening their cooking time and ensuring they cook more evenly, resulting in a perfectly tender texture. Once soaked, drain the beans and set them aside.
2. Craft Your Flavorful Bouquet Garni: Elevate your soup with a homemade bouquet garni. This traditional French technique involves bundling fresh herbs together, typically parsley, thyme, and one or two bay leaves. Use kitchen twine to securely tie them into a neat packet. This allows the aromatic flavors to infuse the soup gradually during simmering, and then be easily removed before serving, leaving no stray herb bits behind.
3. Build the Flavor Foundation with Aromatics: In a large, heavy-bottomed stockpot or Dutch oven, heat your olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions, carrots, celery, and red bell pepper. Sauté these vegetables, stirring occasionally, until they become soft, translucent, and slightly caramelized, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes. This step is vital as it sweetens the vegetables and develops a deep, foundational flavor for your soup.
4. Infuse Garlic and Deglaze for Depth (Optional but Recommended): Once the vegetables are tender, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. At this point, if desired, pour in about ½ cup of white wine (such as a dry white like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio), sherry, or vermouth. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the pan. This process, known as deglazing, adds another layer of complex flavor to the soup. Allow the alcohol to cook off and evaporate for 2-3 minutes.
5. Combine and Season for Simmering: Add the drained, presoaked beans, your prepared bouquet garni, the ham hocks or ham bone, and the chicken stock or broth to the pot. Stir everything together. Season with an initial amount of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remember, beans absorb a lot of seasoning, so don’t be shy, but also taste and adjust later.
6. Slow Simmer to Perfection: Bring the soup to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let it cook slowly until the beans are tender. This typically takes about 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on how well the beans were soaked and their freshness. Periodically check the beans for tenderness and taste the broth, adjusting the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld beautifully.
7. Finish and Shred the Ham: Once the beans are perfectly tender, carefully remove the ham bone or ham hocks from the pot. Allow them to cool slightly. Shred or dice any usable meat from the bone or hocks and return it to the soup. Discard the bone and the bouquet garni.
8. Serve Hot and Enjoy: Give the soup a final taste and adjust any seasonings one last time. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a dash of black pepper for an extra touch of freshness and visual appeal.

Chef’s Secrets for the Best Navy Bean Soup

• The Power of Presoaking Beans: While some recipes claim you can skip presoaking, it’s a game-changer for bean soups. Presoaking dried beans not only significantly shortens their cooking time, making your meal preparation more efficient, but it also helps them cook more evenly. This results in a consistently creamy, tender texture throughout the batch, preventing some beans from being mushy while others remain firm. It can also aid in digestibility for some people.
• Don’t Be Shy with Seasoning: Navy beans, by nature, are quite mild and can be inherently bland. Even when using a flavorful boxed chicken broth, your soup will likely need a generous boost from seasonings. Start with the recommended amounts of Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, but always taste and adjust throughout the cooking process. Beans are like little sponges, absorbing flavor, so don’t be afraid to add more salt or a pinch of your favorite spices to bring out their best.
• Deglazing for Deep Flavor: Elevate the complexity of your soup by deglazing the pan after sautéing the vegetables. A splash of white wine, sherry, or even a dry vermouth adds an incredible layer of depth. As the alcohol evaporates, it lifts all those flavorful browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the pot, incorporating them directly into your broth. The alcohol acts as a flavor enhancer, much like salt, extracting and intensifying the savory notes.
  • Note on Alcohol: The vast majority of alcohol will cook off and evaporate during this process, making the soup perfectly safe for children and those who prefer to avoid alcohol. However, if you have a strict preference or dietary restriction, you can certainly omit the alcohol and use extra chicken broth or water for deglazing; your soup will still be wonderfully flavorful thanks to the other layering techniques.
• The Unrivaled Flavor of Ham Bone/Hocks: While diced ham adds flavor, a meaty ham bone or a couple of ham hocks are truly superior. They slowly release collagen and gelatin during the long simmer, contributing not only deep, smoky, salty flavor but also a luxurious body and mouthfeel to the broth that diced ham alone cannot provide. Don’t hesitate to ask your butcher for ham hocks; they’re an affordable secret ingredient for incredible soups.
• Achieving a Thicker Consistency: If you prefer a heartier, thicker soup, there’s an easy trick. Once the beans are fully cooked and tender, carefully remove about one to two cups of the cooked beans from the pot. Transfer them to a blender or use an immersion blender directly in a separate bowl to puree them until smooth. Then, stir this creamy bean puree back into the pot. The natural starches from the pureed beans will thicken the soup, giving it a wonderfully rich texture without needing any flour or cornstarch.
• Fresh Herbs Make a Difference: Don’t underestimate the impact of fresh herbs, especially in the bouquet garni. Fresh parsley and thyme offer brighter, more vibrant flavors than their dried counterparts. Their gentle infusion throughout the simmering process creates a more nuanced and aromatic soup.
• Serving Suggestions: This soup is fantastic on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with crusty bread for dipping, a side of cornbread, or a simple green salad to cut through the richness.

Demystifying Culinary Terms:

Understanding a few key culinary terms can elevate your cooking prowess and appreciation for recipes like this Navy Bean Soup.

Deglaze

To deglaze is a fundamental cooking technique that involves adding a small amount of liquid – typically wine, broth, or water – to a hot pan where meat or vegetables have just been cooked. As the liquid heats, you use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up all the flavorful browned bits, or “fond,” that have stuck to the bottom of the pan. These caramelized fragments are packed with intense flavor, and by dissolving them into the liquid, you create a rich, concentrated base that can form the foundation for exquisite sauces, gravies, and, in this case, a deeply flavorful soup broth. It’s a simple step that adds immense depth.

Bouquet Garni

A bouquet garni (pronounced “boo-KAY gahr-NEE”) is a classic French term referring to a bundle of fresh herbs, traditionally tied together with butcher’s twine or enclosed in a small cheesecloth bag. The most common components include parsley stems, sprigs of thyme, and one or two bay leaves. This aromatic bundle is added to soups, stews, stocks, and sauces during cooking to gently infuse them with a fresh herbal essence. The beauty of a bouquet garni is that it can be easily removed before serving, leaving behind only the pure flavor of the herbs, without any loose leaves or stems in the finished dish. It’s a simple yet effective way to add clean, vibrant flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions About Navy Bean Soup

Explore More Comforting Soup Recipes:

If you loved this hearty Navy Bean Soup, you’re in for a treat! Discover more delightful and warming soup creations that are perfect for any occasion:

• White Chicken Lasagna Soup from The Cookie Rookie: A creamy, cheesy take on a pasta classic in soup form.
• Italian Sausage and Pasta Soup: A robust and savory soup packed with flavorful sausage and tender pasta.
• Baked Potato Soup Recipe: Indulge in the creamy, comforting flavors of a fully loaded baked potato.
• Italian Wedding Soup: A classic with tiny meatballs, pasta, and greens in a savory broth.
• Plus, you might like this Homemade Baked Beans Recipe, too: If you enjoy the flavor of navy beans, these slow-cooked baked beans are a must-try.
• Find more of the Best Soups and Stews Recipes: Explore a wide array of comforting and delicious options.

The Recipe:

Navy Bean Soup with Ham Recipe

Prep Time
15 minutes

Cook Time
1 hour 35 minutes

Additional Time (Soaking)
1 hour

Total Time
2 hours 50 minutes

Yield
8 servings

A hearty, comforting bean soup with ham and vegetables, perfect for a warming family meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried navy beans
• 5 sprigs of fresh parsley
• 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup white wine, optional (e.g., dry white such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
• 8 cups chicken stock or broth
• 2 ham hocks or a meaty ham bone
• Kosher salt and pepper to taste (start with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper)

Instructions

1. Rinse beans thoroughly and remove any debris. Cover with cold water, bring to a boil, then simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let soak for an hour (or ideally, overnight for best results).
2. Drain the soaked beans and set them aside.
3. Make a bouquet garni by tying the parsley sprigs, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf together securely with kitchen twine. Set aside.
4. Add olive oil to a large stockpot or Dutch oven and heat over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions, carrots, celery, and red bell pepper. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and slightly tender, about 8-10 minutes.
5. Add the minced garlic to the pot and stir for another minute until fragrant. If desired, deglaze the pan with white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Allow the wine to evaporate for 2-3 minutes.
6. Stir in the prepared bouquet garni, the drained beans, the ham hocks or ham bone, and the chicken stock or broth. Season with an initial amount of kosher salt and pepper to taste.
7. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Partially cover the pot and let it simmer for about 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the beans are tender. Taste periodically and add more salt or pepper if needed.
8. Carefully remove the ham bone or ham hocks from the pot. Allow to cool slightly. Shred or dice any usable meat from the bone/hocks and return it to the soup. Discard the bone and the bouquet garni.
9. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

If you prefer a thicker soup, remove about a cup or more of the cooked beans, puree them in a blender or with an immersion blender, and then stir them back into the soup until well combined. This uses the beans’ natural starches to thicken the broth without adding any flour.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 303Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 883mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 7gSugar: 6gProtein: 20g

This nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although we attempt to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe. Also, many recipes recommend toppings, which may or may not be listed as optional, and nutritional information for these added toppings is not listed. Other factors may change the nutritional information, such as when the salt amount is listed “to taste,” it is not calculated into the recipe as the amount will vary. Also, different online calculators can provide different results. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information obtained is accurate.

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