Name: Ham and Bean Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil.; 1 medium yellow onion, chopped.; 2 carrots, chopped.; 2 celery stalks, chopped.; 4 garlic cloves, minced.; 1 teaspoon dried thyme.; 6 cups chicken broth.; 2 bay leaves.; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.; 4 cans white beans, drained.; 2 cups pulled ham.; 1/2 teaspoon salt.

A bowl of white bean and ham soup garnished with herbs and accompanied by a slice of bread on a wooden plate. | myhomemaderecipe.com

My Ham & Bean Soup recipe was born during one of Wisconsin's legendary winter storms. There's something magical about a pot of soup simmering on the stove when the snow is falling outside. This hearty combination of tender ham creamy beans and fresh vegetables has become my family's favorite way to warm up on chilly days and the best part? It comes together in just 30 minutes.

Pure Winter Comfort

Living through our long Wisconsin winters I've learned that nothing beats a steaming bowl of soup. This Ham & Bean Soup has become my go to comfort meal. I love how the rich broth and tender beans come together to create something so satisfying. It's also my favorite way to transform leftover holiday ham into something completely new and delicious.

Everything You'll Need

Fresh Veggies: I start with the classic trio yellow onion carrots and celery plus plenty of fresh garlic. These create that perfect flavor base.
The Broth: Chicken broth is my go to but sometimes I use leftover ham broth for extra richness.
The Star: Two heaping cups of pulled ham perfect for using up holiday leftovers.
Beautiful Beans: I use Great Northern beans they're creamy and perfect but any white beans work beautifully.
My Seasoning Blend: Simple dried thyme bay leaves and fresh parsley keep everything balanced and bright.

Let's Make Soup Together

Starting Our Base: I always begin with those aromatic vegetables. A splash of olive oil in my favorite soup pot then in go the carrots celery and onions. The kitchen starts smelling amazing as they soften and sweeten. When I add the garlic and thyme the whole house fills with the most incredible aroma.
Building Our Soup: Once the broth goes in I add my bay leaves. This is where the magic starts happening. I let everything simmer together getting all those flavors to meld and dance together.
The Final Touch: Adding those creamy beans and tender ham brings everything together. I love watching it all come to life in the pot. A few more minutes of simmering and we're almost ready.
Making It Perfect: The final taste test is so important. Sometimes it needs a pinch more salt or pepper. I've learned to trust my taste buds here.

My Tricks for the Perfect Texture

Let me share my favorite tip for making this soup extra special. If you want it thicker try adding a couple spoonfuls of flour to those sautéed veggies before the broth goes in. Or here's my secret weapon I sometimes blend just a cup or two of the soup and stir it back in. It makes everything so creamy and delicious while keeping those lovely chunks of ham and vegetables.

Making It Last

This soup actually gets better after a day or two in the fridge. I store it in airtight containers and it keeps beautifully for several days. When I'm really planning ahead I'll make a double batch and freeze portions for those extra busy nights. There's nothing better than finding a container of this in the freezer when you need a comforting meal.

A black pot filled with hearty soup, containing pieces of ham, white beans, carrots, and herbs, set on a wooden surface. | myhomemaderecipe.com

Creating the Perfect Meal

When I serve this Ham & Bean Soup I love setting out a basket of warm crusty bread alongside it. Sometimes I'll make my grandmother's cheese biscuits they're perfect for soaking up every last drop of that flavorful broth. On nights when I want something lighter I'll toss together a quick Italian salad the fresh crisp greens balance out the hearty soup beautifully.

Why This Recipe Never Fails

There's something about this soup that just works every time. Maybe it's the combination of protein packed beans and tender ham or how the vegetables create such a flavorful base. Whatever it is this soup has saved countless busy weeknights in my house. Even my pickiest eater asks for seconds which in my book is the ultimate success.

Making It Your Own

Over the years I've played with this recipe so many ways. Sometimes I'll use smoked turkey instead of ham or switch up the beans based on what's in my pantry. My vegetarian daughter loves when I make her version loaded with extra vegetables and using vegetable broth. The beauty of this soup is how easily it adapts to what you love.

Perfect for Busy Weeks

This soup has saved my sanity during busy weeks more times than I can count. I'll make a big pot on Sunday portion it into containers and just like that I've got lunch ready for days. The flavors actually get better as it sits in the fridge. My husband takes it to work in his thermos and says it's still perfect at lunchtime.

Bringing Leftovers Back to Life

Let me share my favorite way to reheat this soup so it tastes just as good as day one. I'll warm it slowly on the stovetop adding just a splash of broth if it's thickened up. Sometimes I'll throw in a handful of fresh parsley at the end it brightens everything right up. And don't forget that crusty bread on the side it makes leftovers feel special.

More Cozy Soups to Love

This Ham & Bean Soup started my love affair with homemade soups. Now I love experimenting with different recipes like my creamy chicken and rice or that French onion noodle soup that my kids go crazy for. There's something so satisfying about having a collection of soup recipes that comfort and nourish especially during those long winter months.

A Bowl of Comfort

Every time I make this Ham & Bean Soup I'm reminded of why I love cooking so much. It's more than just throwing ingredients in a pot it's about creating those moments of comfort that bring everyone together. Whether you're using up holiday leftovers or just craving something warm and satisfying this soup never disappoints. The way it fills our home with those incredible aromas and brings everyone to the table makes all the prep worth it. Even now after countless batches there's still something special about ladling out steaming bowls of this soup on a cold winter evening.

A hearty bowl of bean and ham soup with chunks of ham, white beans, carrots, and celery, garnished with parsley. | myhomemaderecipe.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How can I thicken the soup?: Add flour to vegetables before broth or blend portion of finished soup. Both methods create creamier texture.
→ What type of ham works best?: Leftover baked ham or ham steak work well. Chop or pull into bite-sized pieces.
→ Can I use dried beans?: Cook dried beans separately first. Four cans equals about 6 cups cooked beans.
→ How long does this keep?: Stores in fridge 3-4 days. Freezes well up to 3 months in airtight container.
→ Can this be made in slow cooker?: Cook vegetables first, then combine all in slow cooker. Low 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours.

Conclusion

A hearty and comforting soup that combines tender ham, white beans, and fresh vegetables in a flavorful broth. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners and warming up during cold weather.

Ham & Bean Soup