White Bean Soup with Ham

Warm, hearty, and bursting with savory flavor, this White Bean Soup with Ham is the ultimate comfort food for chilly evenings. This recipe combines creamy white beans, tender bites of diced ham, and a medley of aromatic vegetables—like carrots, celery, and onions—all simmered together in a rich, herb-infused chicken broth. With the addition of fresh thyme and a touch of garlic, each spoonful offers layers of comforting, homey goodness. Perfect for feeding a crowd, this one-pot meal is both satisfying and simple, utilizing dried white beans soaked overnight for a creamy texture that canned beans just can’t replicate. Serve it with a garnish of fresh parsley and warm, crusty bread for a meal that’s cozy, wholesome, and unforgettable. Whether you’re looking for a nourishing weeknight dinner or a soul-soothing lunch, this white bean and ham soup is sure to hit the spot.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:135 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 2 medium, diced carrots
• 2 medium, diced celery stalks
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 cup, diced cooked ham
• 1 pound, soaked overnight and drained dried white beans
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon, or to taste salt
• 0.5 teaspoon, or to taste black pepper
• 2 tablespoons, chopped (optional, for garnish) parsley

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are soft and translucent.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Add the diced ham to the pot and stir to combine with the vegetables.

Step 5

Add the soaked and drained white beans to the pot, followed by the chicken broth.

Step 6

Drop in the bay leaf and sprinkle in the fresh thyme.

Step 7

Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 90-120 minutes, or until the beans are tender.

Step 8

Stir occasionally during cooking, and add more chicken broth or water if the soup becomes too thick.

Step 9

Once the beans are tender, season the soup with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Step 10

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

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2899.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1519.4

Total Fat 43.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.5g
Cholesterol 142.9mg	0%
Sodium 10337.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 163.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 42.8g	0%
Total Sugars 24.3g
Protein 124.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 833.8mg	0%
Iron 25.1mg	0%
Potassium 6383.0mg	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: 25.5%

Protein: 32.2%

Carbs: 42.3%