Mom's Simple Navy Bean Soup

Warm, hearty, and bursting with nostalgia, Mom's Simple Navy Bean Soup is the ultimate comfort food that brings families together. This wholesome recipe features tender, creamy navy beans simmered to perfection with savory smoked ham, aromatic onions, carrots, and celery, all infused with the depth of flavor from a rich chicken broth and a fragrant bay leaf. Easy to prepare with minimal ingredients, this one-pot soup is not only satisfying but also nourishing—perfect for cozy evenings or meal prep. With a prep time of just 15 minutes and the option to garnish with fresh parsley, this classic soup showcases homestyle cooking at its finest. Whether you remember it as a childhood favorite or are discovering it for the first time, this timeless recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:135 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Dried navy beans
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 medium Onion, diced
• 2 medium Carrots, diced
• 2 Celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 Bay leaf
• 1 Ham bone (or diced smoked ham)
• 8 cups Chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried navy beans under cool water and remove any debris. Place them in a large bowl, cover them with water, and let them soak overnight (6-8 hours). Drain and rinse before cooking.

Step 2

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

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the drained navy beans, bay leaf, ham bone (or diced ham), and chicken broth to the pot. Stir to combine.

Step 5

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid and let the soup simmer gently for 1.5-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender.

Step 6

If using a ham bone, remove it from the pot. Shred any remaining meat from the bone and return it to the soup. Discard the bone.

Step 7

Season the soup with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Step 8

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2971.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2212.0

Total Fat 41.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 50mg	0%
Sodium 8287.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 318.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 79.3g	0%
Total Sugars 29.7g
Protein 152.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1010.7mg	0%
Iron 30.7mg	0%
Potassium 9487.0mg	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: 16.5%

Protein: 27.0%

Carbs: 56.5%