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This week / Soups / No. 31
Ham and White Bean Soup
31THIS WEEK
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Soups · Slow Cooker

Ham and White Bean Soup

Simple, cheap and hearty: white beans, a meaty ham bone, onion and celery simmered until thick and creamy.

Why it's here: A classic Senate-style bean soup was on Allrecipes' most-saved list the week of Oct 6.

Prep15 min
Cook1 hr 30 min
Total1 hr 45 min
Serves8

What you'll need

Enameled cast-iron Dutch ovenFor soups, stews and braises
7-quart slow cookerFor low-and-slow cooking

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Ingredients

  • 1 lb dried navy beans, soaked overnight and drained
  • 1 meaty ham bone or 2 smoked ham hocks
  • 10 cups water
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 cups diced cooked ham
  • Salt and pepper

Steps

  1. Put the beans, ham bone, water, vegetables, garlic and bay leaf in a big pot.
  2. Bring to a boil, then simmer partly covered for 1 1/2 hours, until the beans are very soft.
  3. Remove the bone and bay leaf. Pull any meat off the bone and return it to the pot with the diced ham.
  4. Mash some of the beans against the side of the pot to thicken the soup. Season with salt and pepper.

TipSlow cooker: everything except salt on low 8 to 9 hours.