Paula Deen's Senate Bean Soup

Warm, hearty, and steeped in tradition, Paula Deen's Senate Bean Soup is a comforting classic that’s perfect for cozy meals. This slow-simmered dish features tender dried navy beans paired with the smoky depth of a ham hock, creating a rich and flavorful base. Aromatic vegetables like onion, celery, carrot, and garlic add layers of savory complexity, while a hint of bay leaf ties it all together. Ready in just a few simple steps, this one-pot wonder requires minimal prep time, making it an easy option for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with crusty bread for a soul-warming experience that's as satisfying as it is wholesome. Tags: Senate bean soup, Paula Deen recipes, hearty bean soup, ham and bean soup, classic comfort food soup.

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:150 mins

Total Time:165 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried navy beans
• 8 cups water
• 1 piece ham hock
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 large carrot, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 leaf bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Sort through the dried navy beans to remove any small stones or debris. Rinse the beans under cold water.

Step 2

In a large pot, combine the beans and 8 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook for 2 minutes.

Step 3

Remove the pot from the heat, cover it with a lid, and let the beans soak for 1 hour. Drain and rinse the beans, discarding the soaking water.

Step 4

Return the beans to the pot and add the ham hock, chopped onion, celery, carrot, minced garlic, bay leaf, and 8 cups of fresh water.

Step 5

Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 6

Remove the ham hock from the pot and set it aside to cool slightly. Shred any meat from the ham hock and return it to the soup, discarding the bone and excess fat.

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 chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot with crusty bread or crackers.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2920.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1889.6

Total Fat 24.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 70mg	0%
Sodium 3554.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 303.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 76.5g	0%
Total Sugars 21.0g
Protein 123.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 923.9mg	0%
Iron 25.8mg	0%
Potassium 7504.1mg	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: 11.4%

Protein: 25.7%

Carbs: 63.0%