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Cozy Ham and Bean Soup Recipe Easy Homemade Leftover Comfort Food

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A warm, comforting soup made from leftover ham and white beans, simmered slowly with aromatic vegetables and herbs for a nostalgic, satisfying meal perfect for chilly evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups leftover ham, diced or shredded
  • 1 ½ cups dried white beans (navy, cannellini, or great northern), soaked overnight
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth (low-sodium recommended)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 ½ cups dried white beans under cold water and soak them overnight in at least 4 cups of water. For a quick soak, boil beans for 2 minutes, cover, and let sit for 1 hour before draining.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until veggies soften and onion is translucent.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, avoiding burning.
  4. Stir in 2 cups diced leftover ham, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, and 2 bay leaves. Cook for 3 minutes to warm ham and blend flavors.
  5. Drain soaked beans and add to the pot. Pour in 6 cups broth and stir well.
  6. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 to 1 ½ hours until beans are tender but not falling apart. Add more broth or water if soup becomes too thick.
  7. Remove bay leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste, keeping in mind leftover ham may be salty.
  8. For a creamier texture, mash a few beans against the pot side and stir. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Soak beans overnight for best texture. Use low-sodium broth to control saltiness. Mash some beans for thicker soup. Fresh herbs brighten flavor. Soup tastes better the next day. Can freeze up to 3 months. Adjust salt carefully due to salty ham.

Nutrition

Keywords: ham and bean soup, leftover ham recipe, comfort food soup, easy soup recipe, cozy soup, homemade soup, leftover recipes

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