Hearty Stovetop Navy Bean and Ham Soup Recipe (2024)

This Navy Bean Soup Recipe is great to have on acold winter dayor rainy night. Sometimes calledwhite bean soup, It's simple to put together from mostlypantry staplesand also a great use of bone-inleftover holiday ham.

This irresistible soup features plump navy beans, and perfectly sauteed onions, celery, and carrots. The ham bone lends a hearty, smoky flavor to the soup broth. Thyme and Italian seasoning add depth, while a hint of tomato paste lends a subtle tang and gives the soup a kick of color.

And thebest partof all? This is one of thebestnavy bean souprecipesbecause it usesunsoaked beans! That's right - I have a great hack for the bag ofdried beansyou bought for "future use," but I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

If you love homemade soups, check out myAuthenticPasta fa*gioli,One Pot Broccoli Cheddar, orCopycat Panera Chicken Noodle Soups. If a slow cooker soup is what you're on the hunt for, try myLoaded Baked Potato Soup.

Need a few suggestions on what to serve with the delicious soup? Check out What to Serve with Navy Bean Soup - 36 Best Side Dishes.

Why You'll Love ThisHearty Navy Bean Soup Recipe

Rich Flavor- The combination of navy beans, savory ham, and aromatic vegetables creates a soup with a depth of flavor that's hard to beat. My recipe also includes a spoonful oftomato paste. It gives the soup great flavor and color. It can be omitted if you have a tomato allergy or don't have any paste.

Hearty and Filling- This soup is a meal in itself. Loaded with protein anddietary fiber, it's sure to keep you full and satisfied. Just a bit of chopping, sautéing, and simmering, and you'll have adelicious mealon the table in no time. Pair it with some crusty bread ordinner rolls, or top it with mySeasoned Soup Crackers, which are also great for snacking.

Excellent for Leftovers- This is ahearty soupfor theentire familywhen life gets busy. Thenext day, I pour it into thecrock potand reheat it on low so we can enjoy a hot meal in shifts.

Dried Bean Hack

Have you ever wanted to make a soup with beans but forgot to do theovernight soak? Me too! After talking with my experienced friend about this, she let me in on a little trick she uses. She calls it herquick soak method. It is agreat wayto use thesedried beansby covering them with hot tap water and letting them sit while you prep the other ingredients. This will help expedite the cooking process and ensure your beans are tender in no time.

Can I UseCanned BeansInstead ofDry Beans?

Of course! You may substitute 4 -16-ounce cans ofwhite beansfor the 1 pound ofdried beans.

I recommend using the bean liquid because it makes a creamier soup.

If using leftover ham on the bone, simmer it in the broth. Add thecanned beansinstead of thedried beansto the soup pot. Reduce the broth or stock to 2-3 cups to start. Reduce thecook timeto about 30-40 minutes to blend flavors,

Substitutions

• Don't have navy beans on hand? No problem! You can easily swap them out for otherwhite beanslikegreat northern beans,cannellini beans, orpinto beans. However, I would suggestcanned beanswhen substituting.
• Feel free to useChicken stockinstead ofchicken broth. The soup will still turn out deliciously flavorful.
• I sometimes use chicken base and water instead ofchicken broth. It's easier to keep on hand, takes up less space in the pantry, and tastes good! Usually, its measurement is one teaspoon of base to 1 cup of water. It is salty, so if you are sensitive, add a little at a time.
• Noleftover ham bone? No worries! You can substitute:
  • Aham shankorsmoked ham hockfrom your local grocer'smeat departmentor market. Honey Baked Ham (a national chain) also sells ham bones with meat for making soups.
  • Aham steakcut into 1-inch chunks.
  • Off-The-Bone Deli Ham - You will need a thick slice cut about 1 inch thick. Dice into bite-sized cubes and add to the soup about 15 minutes before the end ofcooking time.
  • Thick Cut Bacon- Bacon is anothergreat optionif you don't have any ham. Add it to thebottom of the potand cook it. Then drain all but 1 Tablespoon ofbacon greaseand use that to sautee your onions, celery, and carrots. It will add flavor to the soup. Add it to the soup pot in step 6, along with the other ingredients.
• Garlic Powder- If you don't have fresh garlic, replace it with ¼ teaspoon ofgarlic powder.

Variations

Vegetarian - Looking to make this soup vegetarian? Omit the ham bone or hocks and usevegetable brothinstead ofchicken broth. You can also bulk up the veggies by adding more carrots, celery, or leafy greens like kale or spinach for extra nutrition.

What You Need To Make ThisDelicious Soup

​INGREDIENT PHOTO

*Please scroll down to the printablerecipe cardfor specific ingredient amounts.

How To Make Navy Bean Soup With Ham

Step 1. Soak thedried beansin hot water while preparing the veggies. Addolive oilto alarge Dutch ovenand saute the onions, celery, and carrots overmedium heat.

Step 2. Drain beans in a colander, discarding water. Add thedrained beans, black pepper,tomato paste, bay leaves, broth, chicken base, thyme, and Italian seasoning. Stir all ingredients to combine.

Step 3. Add the ham bone to the pot and boil overmedium-high heat. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and stir occasionally. Let thesoup cookfor about 1 ½ - 2 hours or until the beans have softened.

Step 4. Add the lemon juice or vinegar and stir again. Remove ham bone and meat. Cut the ham into bite-sized pieces and add it back to the soup. Discard the ham bone.

Step 5. You may mash some of the beans to create a creamier consistency. Add extra broth to achieve the consistency you like. Garnish with parsley, and serve with crusty bread and butter.

Storage and Freezing

Store this soup in anairtight containerand keep it in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Freeze this soup in anairtight containeror freezer bag for up to 6 months optimally for the best flavor. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Reheat this soup on the stovetop or in the microwave until hot.

Pro Tip

Some people like a creamier navy bean soup, and others like a brothy one. For the creamier version, you can use a potato masher or animmersion blenderuntil the soup is how you like it. Make sure to have some extra broth to thin the soup if it's too thick. You can also add alittle bitof water to the soup if you are out of broth.

Notes/FAQs