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–+ servings
Bowl of homemade ham and bean soup with herbs and spices

Ham and Bean Soup

This comforting Ham and Bean Soup, passed down through generations, brings warmth and joy to family gatherings with its hearty ingredients and rich flavors.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Course, Soup
Cuisine American, Comfort Food
Servings 6 servings
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the soup base

  • 2 tbsp canola oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 long celery ribs, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1.5 cups diced ham (leftover holiday ham works beautifully)
  • 1 lb dried navy beans, rinsed and drained
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 1 large bay leaf
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • Salt to taste Salt
  • 1 optional ham bone from leftover whole cooked ham for added flavor

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Dice the onions, celery, carrots, and ham into bite-sized pieces. Peel the garlic and set it aside.
  • Rinse the navy beans in cold water to remove any debris. Set them aside to strain.

Cooking

  • Set your Instant Pot to SAUTE and let it heat up. Add the canola oil and then toss in the diced onions, celery, and carrots. Sauté these veggies until they soften and start to turn golden at the edges.
  • If using a ham bone, add it to the pot now. The bone will infuse your soup with an even richer flavor.
  • Press the garlic into the pot, stirring until its aroma fills the kitchen, about 30 seconds.
  • Add the diced ham to the pot and stir well. Allow it to sauté for another few minutes.
  • Pour in the rinsed navy beans followed by the chicken broth. Add the thyme, bay leaf, crushed red peppers, and a generous pinch of salt.
  • Stir everything until well combined. Close the lid of the Instant Pot, making sure it’s latched tightly. Turn the valve to 'SEAL' and set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high for 30 minutes.
  • When the timer goes off, let it do a natural release for about 10 minutes, then carefully do a quick release to let out any remaining steam.
  • Open the lid gently, noticing the vapor rise and the aroma envelop your kitchen. Discard the bay leaf and ham bone if you used one before serving.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Soup also freezes beautifully for up to three months. For a vegetarian version, swap chicken broth for vegetable broth and omit the ham. Always check for seasoning before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 20gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 800mgFiber: 12gSugar: 3g
Keyword Comforting Soup, Family Recipe, Ham and Bean Soup, Home Cooking, Instant Pot Soup
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