Kathy's Ham and Bean Soup

Warm up your soul with Kathy’s Ham and Bean Soup, a hearty and wholesome classic perfect for chilly evenings. Featuring tender navy beans, flavorful diced ham, and a medley of aromatic vegetables like carrots, celery, and onion, this slow-simmered soup is brimming with comforting homemade goodness. Infused with savory chicken broth, garlic, and herbs like dried thyme and bay leaves, the rich and satisfying flavors meld beautifully over hours of gentle cooking. This easy-to-follow recipe is perfect for meal prepping or feeding a crowd, offering generous servings that pair wonderfully with crusty bread or crackers. Whether you're craving a cozy dinner or a nourishing batch-cooked lunch, Kathy's Ham and Bean Soup will quickly become a family favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:200 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked ham, diced
• 1 pound navy beans (or great northern beans), dried
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 3 medium carrots, diced
• 2 medium celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 2 leaves bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 6 cups water
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried beans thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Place them in a large bowl, cover with water, and soak overnight, or use the quick soak method: bring the beans to a boil in a pot of water, remove from heat, and let sit for 1 hour. Drain and rinse before using.

Step 2

In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion, carrots, and celery for 5-7 minutes, or until softened.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Pour in the chicken broth and 6 cups of water. Stir in the soaked and rinsed beans, diced ham, bay leaves, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.

Step 5

Raise the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to a gentle simmer.

Step 6

Cover the pot partially with a lid and allow the soup to cook for 2 ½ to 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and the flavors have melded together. If the soup becomes too thick, add a bit more water or broth.

Step 7

Remove the bay leaves from the pot before serving.

Step 8

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley, if desired. Serve hot with crusty bread or crackers.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4801.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2701.0

Total Fat 49.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 13.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 275mg	0%
Sodium 13089.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 333.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 80.7g	0%
Total Sugars 39.3g
Protein 237.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1110.3mg	0%
Iron 29.8mg	0%
Potassium 9482.8mg	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: 16.3%

Protein: 34.8%

Carbs: 48.9%