Description
Navy Bean Soup with Ham is one of the best easy dinner ideas for busy nights and meanwhile it delivers a quick and simple homemade meal with rich smoky flavor and tender beans. This healthy soup recipe is filling and cozy and perfect for weeknight dinner meal prep holiday gatherings or casual potluck meals. Every spoonful feels warm and comforting and the leftovers taste even better the next day for simple family meals.
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried navy beans
- 2 cups diced ham
- 1 medium diced yellow onion
- 2 sliced carrots
- 2 sliced celery stalks
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 leaf bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Add diced onion and sliced carrots and celery together with diced ham into hot oil and meanwhile everything begins to soften and release savory flavor. The vegetables start looking glossy and slightly tender while the ham edges deepen in color. The mixture becomes more colorful and textured as the vegetables shrink slightly and meanwhile the ham pieces scatter unevenly through the pot creating a hearty base for the soup.
- The dried navy beans are poured into the pot and meanwhile chicken broth surrounds the vegetables and ham creating a pale savory mixture. Garlic and bay leaf blend into the broth while the beans remain firm and visible. The soup now looks fuller and heartier and meanwhile the ingredients float naturally with uneven spacing as the broth begins turning slightly cloudy from the beans.
- The soup slowly thickens as the beans soften and meanwhile the broth becomes creamy and slightly opaque. Carrots appear tender and the celery blends into the broth while the ham pieces remain visible. The texture changes dramatically and meanwhile some beans begin breaking apart creating a hearty homemade consistency with natural unevenness and rich color.
- Fresh parsley is scattered across the thick soup and meanwhile the bright green color contrasts against the creamy beans and smoky broth. The soup looks rich and hearty with visible ham and tender vegetables. The final texture appears creamy yet rustic and meanwhile the parsley sits unevenly across the surface creating a fresh homemade finish.
- A single serving of the soup is ladled into a bowl and meanwhile the creamy broth surrounds the tender beans and smoky ham pieces. The carrots and parsley remain visible while the soup looks thick and cozy. The final bowl has natural imperfections and meanwhile the beans appear unevenly softened creating a realistic homemade texture perfect for comforting dinners.
Notes
Pro Tips:
- Mash a small portion of the beans near the end of cooking for a thicker and creamier homemade soup texture.
- Use leftover holiday ham because the smoky flavor creates a richer broth and deeper savory taste.
- Let the soup rest for several minutes before serving so the broth thickens naturally and flavors blend better.
- Add extra broth when reheating leftovers because the beans continue absorbing liquid overnight in storage.
Storage: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days and meanwhile the flavors continue deepening over time. The beans naturally absorb more broth while chilling and meanwhile the soup becomes thicker and creamier by the next day. Reheat slowly over medium heat with a splash of broth or water and meanwhile stir occasionally to loosen the texture. Freeze cooled portions in freezer safe containers for up to three months and meanwhile leave space at the top for expansion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dishes
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 11g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 35mg