Quick & Hearty Alton Brown Ham And Bean Soup Recipe

Ham and bean soup stands as a classic comfort meal that warms both stomach and soul.

Hearty ingredients transform simple components into a robust culinary experience.

Professional chefs and home cooks appreciate its rich, satisfying profile.

Nutritious legumes blend seamlessly with savory meat, creating deep layers of flavor.

Seasonal vegetables add brightness and complexity to this traditional recipe.

Preparing this soup requires minimal effort but delivers maximum taste satisfaction.

Each spoonful promises a delightful journey through classic home cooking techniques: dive in and savor the magic.

Why Alton Brown’s Ham and Bean Soup is the Ultimate Hearty Meal

• Hearty Comfort in a Bowl: This ham and bean soup delivers a warm, soul-satisfying meal that wraps you in cozy comfort on chilly days, perfect for warming up from the inside out.
• Flavor-Packed Slow Cooking Magic: The lengthy simmering process allows ingredients to meld together, creating deep, rich flavors that develop slowly and intensely, transforming simple ingredients into a complex and delicious dish.
• Protein-Powered Nutrition Boost: Packed with protein from ham and beans, this soup offers a nutritious meal that keeps you full and energized, making it an excellent option for a wholesome lunch or dinner that nourishes your body.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Taste: With straightforward cooking steps and basic ingredients, this recipe proves that delicious meals don't require complicated techniques, allowing even novice cooks to create a restaurant-quality soup with minimal kitchen skills.

What You Need for Alton Brown’s Ham and Bean Soup

• Great Northern Beans: Creamy, mild-flavored beans that provide the soup's hearty base and substantial texture.
• Ham Hock: Rich, smoky flavor for deep soup base.
• Chopped Ham: Adds additional meaty protein and enhances overall soup flavor.
• Carrots, Celery, Onion: Classic mirepoix combination that builds a robust, foundational flavor profile for the soup.
• Garlic: Provides a pungent, warm undertone that complements the meaty elements.
• Salt: Enhances and balances all other flavors in the soup.
• Mustard: Adds a tangy, sharp dimension to the soup's taste.
• Bay Leaves: Contributes a subtle, earthy herbal note during cooking.
• Ground White Pepper: Provides a mild, clean heat and subtle spiciness to finish the soup.

How to Make Alton Brown’s Ham and Bean Soup

Step 1: Prepare Beans and Water

Grab a large pot and combine dried beans with water. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat.

Step 2: Rest the Beans

Remove the pot from heat, sprinkle in salt, cover tightly, and let the beans sit and soften for 1 hour.

Step 3: Add Aromatic Vegetables and Seasonings

• Carrots
• Celery
• Onion
• Garlic
• Mustard
• Bay leaves

Stir thoroughly to combine all flavors.

Step 4: Cook Ham Hock

Drop the ham hock into the pot. Boil until meat becomes tender, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour.

Step 5: Remove Ham Hock and Add Chopped Ham

Take out the ham hock and discard. Stir in chopped ham pieces and let the soup simmer for 30 minutes.

Step 6: Final Seasoning

Sprinkle a pinch of ground white pepper to enhance the soup’s flavor. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Pro Tips for Alton Brown’s Ham and Bean Soup

• Boost Umami: White pepper adds surprising depth without overwhelming the soup's delicate ham and bean profile.
• Customize Boldly: Toss in seasonal root vegetables or smoky paprika for an unexpected flavor twist that makes this recipe uniquely yours.
• Layer Texture Strategically: Chop ham hock meat finely to distribute rich flavor throughout each spoonful instead of creating chunky sections.
• Control Liquid Precision: Watch soup consistency carefully – beans absorb liquid differently, so have extra broth ready for potential adjustments.
• Storage Smart: Cool soup completely before refrigerating to prevent bacterial growth and maintain optimal taste and texture for 3-4 days.

How to Store Alton Brown’s Ham and Bean Soup

• Vacuum Sealing: Protect soup's quality by vacuum sealing in portion-sized containers. Remove all air to prevent freezer burn and maintain freshness. Perfectly preserves flavors and prevents ice crystals from forming.
• Ceramic Container Method: Store soup in heavy ceramic containers with tight-fitting lids. These containers maintain temperature stability and prevent flavor absorption from other foods. Ceramic's thick walls help keep soup's original taste intact.
• Mason Jar Technique: Pack cooled soup into clean mason jars, leaving one inch of headspace. Seal with airtight lids and stack vertically in refrigerator or freezer. Glass jars allow easy visibility and prevent odor contamination while keeping soup fresh and organized.

Tasty Twists on Alton Brown’s Ham and Bean Soup

• Smoky Southwest Fusion: Swap ham hock with spicy chorizo and add roasted green chiles for a zesty southwestern kick. Sprinkle in cumin and smoked paprika to elevate the flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Replace ham with pancetta and incorporate fresh rosemary, thyme, and a splash of white wine. Finish with a drizzle of good quality olive oil for an aromatic Mediterranean touch.
• Vegetarian Protein Power: Eliminate meat entirely and substitute ham with smoked tofu or tempeh. Add nutritional yeast and extra mushrooms to maintain a rich, savory depth. Include additional root vegetables like parsnips for complexity.
• Creamy Autumn Comfort: Stir in pureed butternut squash near the end of cooking for a silky texture. Garnish with crispy sage leaves and a dollop of crème fraîche to create a luxurious cold-weather version of the classic soup.

A Savory, Hearty Comfort with Alton Brown’s Ham and Bean Soup

Alton Brown’s ham and bean soup emerges as winter’s comforting champion, blending rustic charm with sophisticated flavors.

Hearty ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of warmth and nourishment that speaks directly to hungry souls.

Slow-simmered beans absorb rich ham essence, transforming simple ingredients into culinary poetry.

Classic techniques merge with contemporary finesse, making this recipe a timeless favorite for home cooks seeking genuine satisfaction.

Fragrant herbs and tender ham pieces promise a memorable dining experience that connects generations through shared meals.

Passionate cooks, savor this recipe, share its delicious story across social platforms, spark conversations, and spread culinary joy with fellow soup enthusiasts.

Alton Brown Ham And Bean Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Alton Brown’s hearty ham and bean soup blends rustic Southern comfort with culinary precision. Rich smoky flavors mingle with tender white beans, creating a satisfying meal perfect for warming chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound dry great northern beans, sorted and rinsed
• 2 cups chopped ham
• 1 ham hock
• 8 cups water

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 0.5 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic

Spices and Seasonings:

• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• 0.5 teaspoon ground white pepper, or to taste
• 2 bay leaves

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Instructions

1. Fill a spacious stockpot with water and dried navy beans, then rapidly heat to a rolling boil.
2. Remove pot from heat source, sprinkle in kosher salt, seal with a tight-fitting lid, and allow beans to steep and soften for precisely 60 minutes.
3. Finely dice fresh carrots, crisp celery stalks, sweet onions, and aromatic garlic; gently fold these vegetables into the bean mixture along with fragrant Dijon mustard and two whole bay leaves, stirring to distribute evenly.
4. Submerge the smoky ham hock into the bubbling liquid, cooking until meat becomes fork-tender, approximately 45-50 minutes.
5. Carefully extract the ham hock, discarding the bone and excess fat, then shred any remaining succulent meat.
6. Return shredded ham pieces to the pot, reducing heat to a gentle simmer and allowing flavors to meld for an additional 25-30 minutes.
7. Taste and refine the seasoning by adding a delicate pinch of ground white pepper, ensuring a balanced and nuanced flavor profile.

Notes

• Perfectly timed soaking softens beans, reducing cooking duration and digestive discomfort.
• Rich ham hock transforms broth with smoky, savory undertones that elevate the entire dish.
• Gentle simmering allows ingredients to meld, releasing complex flavors and creating a harmonious texture.
• Subtle white pepper adds a delicate warmth without overwhelming the soup’s natural characteristics.
• Endless variations welcome personal creativity, from adding kale to experimenting with different herbs.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 4 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg