White Beans and Ham Soup

ham

🥗Healthier: turkey ham

💰Cheaper: smoked sausage

Turkey ham is lower in fat, while smoked sausage can be more affordable.

white beans

🥗Healthier: cannellini beans

💰Cheaper: navy beans

Cannellini beans offer a similar texture, while navy beans are often less expensive.

chicken broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water + bouillon

Vegetable broth reduces sodium and calories, while bouillon is a cost-effective alternative.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil is heart-healthy, while canola oil is typically cheaper.

Welcome to the kitchen, today I'm making white bean and ham soup.

Gather ingredients: 1/2 cup each of chopped onions, carrots, and celery, 2 garlic cloves, 1.5 cups diced ham, 1 ham neck bone, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, 1 pound to 1.5 pounds Great Northern white beans, 8 cups water, salt, black pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil.

In a large soup pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.

Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery to the pot and cook for a couple of minutes until they begin to soften.

Mince the garlic using a garlic press and add to the pot.

Check the beans for rocks or debris, rinse them, and drain the water.

Add the rinsed beans to the pot along with 8 cups of water, Italian seasoning, a couple pinches of salt, and black pepper.

Add the ham neck bone to the pot and let it cook on low to medium heat for a couple of hours, keeping an eye on the water level and adding more if necessary.

After a couple of hours, add the diced ham and let it cook with the beans for about 30 minutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: