Description
Hearty navy bean soup brings comfort on chilly days, packed with tender beans and savory ham. Warm, nourishing flavors meld together, offering a satisfying meal that warms you from the inside out.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups navy beans (dried)
- 1 lb ham hock or ham bone
- 1 lb bacon
Vegetables:
- 2 medium onions
- 3 celery stalks
- 2 carrots
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 cups chicken broth or water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Soak dried navy beans overnight in cold water, ensuring they are fully submerged to soften and reduce cooking time.
- Drain and rinse the soaked beans thoroughly, discarding the soaking liquid.
- In a large Dutch oven, crisp bacon over medium heat until golden and rendered, about 5-7 minutes. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
- Dice onions, celery, and carrots into uniform small pieces to ensure even cooking and distribution of flavors.
- Sauté chopped vegetables in bacon fat and olive oil over medium heat until onions become translucent and vegetables start to soften, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Mince garlic and add to the vegetable mixture, cooking for an additional 30 seconds to release aromatic oils without burning.
- Add ham hock or ham bone to the pot, along with soaked beans, chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, and black pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1.5-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Remove ham hock, shred the meat, and return it to the soup. Discard the bone.
- Crumble reserved bacon and stir into the soup for added texture and smoky flavor.
- Season with salt to taste, adjusting seasoning as needed.
- Simmer an additional 15-20 minutes until beans are tender and soup reaches desired consistency.
- Remove bay leaves before serving hot, garnishing with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Soak beans completely underwater to ensure even softening and faster cooking time, preventing uneven texture.
- Use a sharp knife to create uniform vegetable cuts, allowing consistent flavor distribution and professional presentation.
- Avoid burning garlic by quickly sautéing and maintaining medium heat, preserving its delicate aromatic qualities.
- Substitute ham with smoked turkey for a leaner protein option, keeping the smoky depth while reducing overall fat content.
- Prep Time: 12 hours
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg