Ruth's White Bean and Ham Soup

Warm, hearty, and brimming with comforting flavors, Ruth’s White Bean and Ham Soup is a timeless classic that’s perfect for cozy evenings. This savory soup combines tender white beans, smoky diced ham, and a rich ham bone or ham hock base for a full-bodied flavor that’s sure to satisfy. Aromatic vegetables like onion, carrots, and celery, along with a hint of garlic, thyme, and bay leaf, elevate the broth, creating layers of depth and taste. Simmered to perfection, this easy homemade soup is a one-pot wonder that’s both nourishing and versatile. Serve it with crusty bread for a wholesome, soul-soothing meal. Perfect for meal prep or family dinners, this recipe offers a taste of traditional comfort in every spoonful.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:140 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Dried white beans (such as Great Northern or Navy beans)
• 1.5 cups Cooked ham, diced
• 1 Ham bone or ham hock
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium Carrots, diced
• 2 Celery stalks, diced
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
• 8 cups Chicken broth or stock
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried white beans under cold water and remove any debris or damaged beans. Place them in a large bowl and cover with water by 2-3 inches. Allow them to soak overnight or use the quick soak method (bring beans and water to a boil, let boil for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and let sit for 1 hour). Once soaked, drain and rinse the beans.

Step 2

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

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the soaked and drained beans, diced ham, ham bone or ham hock, bay leaf, dried thyme, chicken broth, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir to combine.

Step 5

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the soup simmer gently for 1.5-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and the flavors have melded together.

Step 6

Remove the ham bone or ham hock from the soup and discard any excess fat. If there’s any meat left on the bone, shred it and return it to the pot.

Step 7

Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Step 8

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot with crusty bread for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3344.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2597.1

Total Fat 48.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 13.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 256.2mg	0%
Sodium 13657.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 323.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 79.9g	0%
Total Sugars 34.3g
Protein 218.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1396.7mg	0%
Iron 31.3mg	0%
Potassium 11098.6mg	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: 16.8%

Protein: 33.6%

Carbs: 49.6%