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Classic Ham & bean soup.

Classic Ham and Bean Soup (shortcut method)

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This hearty classic ham and bean soup recipe has tender chunks of smoked ham, carrots, potatoes, and navy beans in a rich broth, thickened with pureed navy beans. Canned beans and a food processor shortens the preparation time and allows you to get a classic meal on the table in 35 minutes without doing any chopping.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Equipment

  • Food Processor
  • Stockpot

Ingredients
  

  • 2-3 Med. Potatoes
  • 1 Med. Onion
  • 2-3 Carrots
  • 2 Stalks Celery
  • 3 14 oz Cans Navy Beans Divided
  • 8 Cups Chicken or Ham Broth
  • 1 Pound Bone-In, Smoked Ham Steak
  • 3/4 tsp Dried Crushed Thyme
  • 2 Bay Leaves
  • 1/4 tsp Pepper
  • 1/2- 3/4 tsp Salt to taste

Instructions
 

Prepare the Veggies

  • Cut all vegetables into large chunks and place in a food processer. It is not necessary to peel carrots and potatoes as long as they are thoroughly washed.  Carefully pulse just enough to break vegetables into bite-sized chunks.  Do not overpulse.  

Add Remaining Ingredients

  • Add vegetables, broth, and ham steak including the bone and bay leaves to a large stockpot, (no need to chop it into small pieces yet) and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and add vegetables and remaining ingredients except 1 can of beans. Simmer with lid on the pot until the vegetables are tender.  

Puree the Beans

  • Pour 1 can of beans (drained) into the food processor and pulse to a paste, add them to the pot, and stir well. 

Chop the Ham

  • Remove meat and bay leaves from the pot and let it cool on a cutting board. Discard bay leaves and ham bone. Once cool enough to handle, chop ham into bite-sized chunks and carefully remove any fat. Replace into the pot.  Simmer for 5 minutes until heated through and serve.

Notes

I usually purchase a slice of smoked bone-in ham steak that is approximately 1/2 inch thick.  You can also use a smoked ham bone with some leftover meat attached, but be sure that it is smoked and not honey-baked. It is important that the ham be smoked because this adds to the flavor of the broth significantly.
Classic Ham & bean soup.
Keyword Ham & Bean Soup