Bill Knapp's Michigan Bean Soup

Bill Knapp’s Michigan Bean Soup is a comforting classic that captures the heart of Midwestern cuisine with its hearty flavors and wholesome ingredients. Made with tender dried navy beans, savory ham hock or diced ham, and a flavorful blend of vegetables like carrots, celery, onion, and garlic, this soup is simmered to perfection in a rich chicken broth. Infused with aromatic bay leaf and seasoned simply with salt and pepper, this soul-warming dish is a satisfying balance of simplicity and depth. Ideal for chilly evenings, this recipe is easy to prepare and perfect for meal prep, yielding six generous servings. Garnish with fresh parsley for a burst of color and serve with crusty bread for the ultimate comfort food experience. This authentic Michigan bean soup is a timeless favorite that will quickly become a staple in your comfort food rotation!

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:135 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried navy beans
• 1 ham hock or diced ham
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Sort and rinse the dried navy beans. Place beans in a large bowl and cover them with water. Soak overnight, or use the quick-soak method by boiling for 2 minutes, removing from heat, and allowing to sit for 1 hour.

Step 2

Drain and rinse the soaked beans thoroughly. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, combine the soaked beans, ham hock or diced ham, chicken broth, and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.

Step 4

Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Step 5

Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, diced celery, minced garlic, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Stir well to incorporate.

Step 6

Continue simmering on low heat for an additional 1 hour, or until the beans are tender and the soup has thickened slightly. Remove the ham hock (if used), shred the meat, and return it to the soup.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if needed. Remove and discard the bay leaf.

Step 8

Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Pair with crusty bread or crackers for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2954.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1927.7

Total Fat 18.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 45mg	0%
Sodium 6896.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 315.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 79.6g	0%
Total Sugars 27.9g
Protein 137.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1006.1mg	0%
Iron 29.8mg	0%
Potassium 9126.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 8.3%

Protein: 27.9%

Carbs: 63.8%