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soup

Ham and Bean Soup

A quick, comforting ham and bean soup made with browned diced ham, vegetables, canned beans, and fresh thyme for a smoky, hearty meal.

Prep

10 min

Cook

25 min

Total

35 min

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Ingredients

Serves16

Ham and Bean Soup

  • 4 tbsp Olive Oil (plus more for serving)
  • 16 oz diced ham
  • 4 medium Carrots
  • 4 stalk Celery
  • 2 medium Yellow onion (chopped)
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt (plus more to taste)
  • 4 clove Garlic
  • 4 tbsp Tomato Paste
  • 8 cup Chicken Stock
  • 4 can cannellini or navy beans (drained and rinsed)
  • 2 leaf bay leaves
  • 12 sprig Thyme
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper (plus more to taste)
  • 4 tbsp parsley (chopped)
Servings: 16−+
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Cooking Instructions

  1. 1

    Brown the ham

    Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced ham and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes.
    Tip: Browning the ham deeply improves the overall flavor of the broth.
    Cleanup: Use a paper towel to wipe any oil splatters around the stovetop before proceeding.
  2. 2

    Sauté the vegetables

    Add the carrots, celery, and onion to the pot. Season with the kosher salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
    Tip: Let the tomato paste darken slightly for a richer, sweeter flavor.
    Cleanup: Rinse the tomato paste spoon right away to prevent sticking.
  3. 3

    Simmer the soup

    Add the chicken stock, beans, bay leaf, and thyme (tied into a bundle). Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes.
    Tip: Keep the simmer low to avoid breaking up the beans too much.
    Cleanup: Place the thyme stems directly into compost or trash once removed to keep the counter tidy.
  4. 4

    Finish and serve

    Remove the thyme bundle and bay leaf. Season with black pepper and additional salt to taste. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with chopped parsley.
    Tip: A drizzle of olive oil over each bowl adds a lovely finishing touch.
    Cleanup: Soak the Dutch oven in warm soapy water while you eat for easier cleaning.

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Ham and Bean Soup

Prep: 10 min · Cook: 25 min · Total: 35 min · Servings: 16

Ingredients

Ham and Bean Soup

  • 4 tbsp Olive Oil (plus more for serving)
  • 16 oz diced ham
  • 4 medium Carrots
  • 4 stalk Celery
  • 2 medium Yellow onion (chopped)
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt (plus more to taste)
  • 4 clove Garlic
  • 4 tbsp Tomato Paste
  • 8 cup Chicken Stock
  • 4 can cannellini or navy beans (drained and rinsed)
  • 2 leaf bay leaves
  • 12 sprig Thyme
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper (plus more to taste)
  • 4 tbsp parsley (chopped)

Instructions

  1. Brown the ham — Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced ham and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes.
  2. Sauté the vegetables — Add the carrots, celery, and onion to the pot. Season with the kosher salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
  3. Simmer the soup — Add the chicken stock, beans, bay leaf, and thyme (tied into a bundle). Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes.
  4. Finish and serve — Remove the thyme bundle and bay leaf. Season with black pepper and additional salt to taste. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with chopped parsley.