Mom's Ham Bone Bean Soup

Warm, hearty, and bursting with comforting flavors, Mom's Ham Bone Bean Soup is the ultimate recipe for making use of leftover ham bones. This timeless dish features tender navy beans simmered to perfection alongside a medley of carrots, celery, onion, and garlic, all infused with the smoky richness of the ham bone and savory herbs like thyme and bay leaf. With just a few simple steps and a long, slow simmer, this recipe creates a rich, velvety broth that pairs beautifully with crusty bread or crackers. Perfect for cozy family dinners or meal prepping for the week, this wholesome soup is a true classic that fills both your stomach and your soul. Try it today and discover why it's a cherished tradition in so many kitchens!

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:195 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 piece ham bone
• 1 pound dried navy beans
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 stalks celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups chicken stock
• 2 cups water
• 1 piece bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried navy beans thoroughly under cool water and discard any stones or debris. Place the beans in a large bowl and cover with water. Soak overnight, or use the quick-soak method by covering with boiling water and letting sit for 1 hour. Drain and rinse the beans.

Step 2

In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, place the ham bone. Add the soaked and rinsed beans, diced onion, sliced carrots, chopped celery, minced garlic, chicken stock, and water.

Step 3

Stir in the bay leaf, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer gently with the lid slightly ajar.

Step 4

Simmer the soup for 2.5 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally. During this time, the beans will become tender, and the flavors will meld together.

Step 5

After 2 hours, check the ham bone. If there is still meat attached, remove the bone, let it cool slightly, and shred the meat with a fork. Discard the bone and return the shredded ham to the pot.

Step 6

Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if needed. If the soup is too thick, add more water or chicken stock to reach the desired consistency.

Step 7

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

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4313.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2711.3

Total Fat 59.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 289.4mg	0%
Sodium 4495.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 310.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 76.3g	0%
Total Sugars 28.1g
Protein 244.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1023.4mg	0%
Iron 39.4mg	0%
Potassium 7655.6mg	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: 19.4%

Protein: 35.5%

Carbs: 45.1%