Ham Bone And Bean Soup With Canned Beans Recipe

If you’re looking for a hearty, comforting, and easy-to-make dish, you’ve come to the right place. Ham Bone and Bean Soup with canned beans is the kind of meal that brings people together. Imagine sitting around the table with a steaming bowl of rich, flavorful soup, the savory aroma of ham blending with the earthy goodness of beans, all in a broth that’s been simmering for hours. But here’s the thing: You can have this experience without slaving away in the kitchen for an entire day. By using canned beans, you get to skip the lengthy soak and cook time that typically comes with dried beans. This is the beauty of this recipe-it’s simple, satisfying, and absolutely delicious.

Now, let’s dive into the details of how to make this comforting soup from scratch using a ham bone and canned beans. I promise it’ll become a family favorite in no time!

Ham Bone And Bean Soup With Canned Beans Recipe

This recipe is perfect for when you have a leftover ham bone from a big meal or when you’re craving a soul-warming soup. The combination of tender ham, soft beans, and savory broth makes it a dish that’s both filling and flavorful. Plus, the use of canned beans reduces prep time significantly, making it easy to whip up this meal even on busy days.

Ingredients Needed

Here’s a list of everything you’ll need to make Ham Bone and Bean Soup with canned beans. You probably already have some of these items in your pantry!

• Ham Bone: This is the star of the soup. A ham bone (with some leftover meat attached) adds rich flavor to the broth. If you don’t have one, you can substitute with ham hocks or even cooked diced ham.

• Canned Beans: We’re going for convenience here, so grab about 2 cans of beans. Great options include:

  • Great Northern Beans
  • Navy Beans
  • Cannellini Beans
  • Pinto Beans

• Vegetables: A combination of onion, carrots, and celery makes for the perfect aromatic base.

  • 1 large onion (chopped)
  • 2 carrots (peeled and chopped)
  • 2 celery stalks (chopped)
• Garlic: 2 to 3 cloves of garlic, minced, to add some depth to the flavor.
• Broth: Chicken broth is the best option here to complement the ham. You’ll need about 4 cups.

• Herbs And Seasonings

  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive Oil: To sauté the vegetables, about 1-2 tablespoons.
• Optional Add-ins: A few dashes of hot sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.

Cooking Instructions

Let’s walk through this step by step, ensuring you get the most flavorful soup with minimal effort.

1. Prepare The Ham Bone

   • If your ham bone has some leftover meat, feel free to trim it off and set it aside. You can chop the meat into small pieces and add it back to the soup later.

2. Sauté The Vegetables

   • In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
   • Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.

3. Add Garlic And Seasonings

   • Toss in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant.
   • Sprinkle in the thyme, salt, and pepper, stirring everything together.

4. Simmer The Soup

   • Add the ham bone to the pot, followed by the chicken broth and bay leaf.
   • Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for 30 minutes to an hour. This allows all the flavors to meld together and the ham to release its deliciousness into the broth.

5. Add The Beans

   • Drain and rinse your canned beans before adding them to the soup. Add them to the pot, stir to combine, and let everything simmer for an additional 15-20 minutes.
   • If you like your beans a little softer, let them cook longer. If you prefer a chunkier texture, you can mash some of the beans with a spoon to thicken the broth.

6. Final Touches

   • Remove the ham bone and bay leaf from the soup.
   • If you kept any of the ham meat, add it back into the soup and give it one last stir. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s take a closer look at some of the key ingredients in this soup and why they work so well together.

• Ham Bone: This ingredient is the secret weapon of this recipe. The bone itself infuses the soup with a rich, savory flavor that can’t be replicated by using just meat. The marrow and any leftover bits of ham create a deep, almost smoky broth that’s absolutely comforting.
• Canned Beans: Canned beans are a real time-saver, and they absorb the flavors of the broth while maintaining their texture. Beans like Great Northern or Navy Beans are mild and creamy, making them ideal for this soup. They help balance the saltiness of the ham and provide some bulk to the dish.
• Vegetables: The classic combination of onion, carrots, and celery forms the flavor foundation for so many soups. Together, they create a perfect balance of sweetness, earthiness, and umami, and they help mellow out the rich flavors of the ham bone.
• Broth: Chicken broth is the preferred base here, as it complements the ham perfectly. If you want to amp up the flavor, you could use homemade broth, but store-bought works just fine for an easy weeknight meal.

Expert Tips

Want to make your Ham Bone and Bean Soup even better? Here are a few tips to elevate the dish:

• Use a Smoked Ham Bone: If you can get your hands on a smoked ham bone, go for it! The smoky flavor will make the soup even more rich and savory.
• Don’t Skip the Sautéing Step: Sautéing the vegetables at the beginning helps release their natural sweetness and deepens the flavor of the soup.
• Add Fresh Herbs: If you have fresh thyme or rosemary on hand, throw some in towards the end of cooking for a burst of fresh flavor.
• Make It a Meal: Serve the soup with a side of crusty bread or cornbread to soak up all the delicious broth.

Recipe Variations

One of the great things about this soup is that you can play around with the ingredients based on what you have on hand or your preferences.

• Vegetarian Version: Skip the ham bone and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Add extra vegetables like zucchini, potatoes, or kale to boost the nutrition and flavor.
• Spicy Ham and Bean Soup: Add a teaspoon of smoked paprika or a few chopped jalapeños for a spicy kick. If you like heat, you could also add a bit of cayenne pepper.
• Add Greens: Stir in some spinach or kale for an extra burst of color and nutrients.
• Change the Beans: Experiment with different types of beans like black beans, kidney beans, or even lentils for a different texture and flavor.

Final Words

This Ham Bone and Bean Soup with canned beans is a perfect example of comfort food that’s easy to make but full of flavor. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug on a cold day, but it also works well for a hearty weeknight dinner when you need something filling and satisfying. And the beauty of this recipe is that it’s adaptable-whether you want to spice things up, add in some greens, or make it vegetarian, you can easily make it your own.