Easy Pioneer Woman Ham And Bean Soup Recipe You’ll Love

Pioneer Woman’s ham and bean soup represents the ultimate comfort food for chilly evenings and hungry families.

Rustic ingredients combine to create a soul-warming dish that transforms simple components into something magical.

This classic recipe carries deep roots in traditional home cooking, promising rich flavors and satisfying textures.

Robust and filling, the soup connects generations through its straightforward yet delectable approach to nourishment.

Hearty beans mingle with savory meat, creating a symphony of tastes that dance across your palate.

Warming spices and tender vegetables contribute layers of complexity to this timeless meal.

Each spoonful tells a story of nurturing and love, bringing people together around the table: Get ready to fall in love with this comforting classic.

Relish The Comforting Warmth Of Pioneer Woman Ham And Bean Soup

• Slow-Simmer Comfort: This hearty ham and bean soup delivers rich, deeply developed flavors through its patient cooking method, transforming simple ingredients into a soul-warming meal that feels like a warm hug.
• Protein-Packed Goodness: Loaded with tender ham and protein-rich beans, this soup offers a nutritious one-pot wonder that keeps you full and satisfied, making it perfect for cold days or post-workout recovery.
• Easy Peasant-Style Cooking: With minimal prep and straightforward steps, this recipe celebrates traditional cooking techniques that turn affordable ingredients into a delicious, rustic meal anyone can master, regardless of culinary skill level.
• Flexible Flavor Base: The recipe welcomes creative tweaks like adding different herbs or switching ham types, making it adaptable to personal taste preferences and whatever ingredients you have on hand.

Essential Ingredients For Pioneer Woman Ham And Bean Soup

• Ham Hock: Rich, flavorful meat that adds depth and richness to the soup.
• Chopped Ham: Extra meat for additional protein and hearty texture.

• Great Northern Beans: Mild, creamy beans that provide protein and thickness to the soup. Choose dry, unbroken beans for best results.
• Carrots: Sweet root vegetable that adds color and subtle sweetness.
• Onion: Aromatic base that provides foundational flavor to the soup.
• Celery: Adds subtle background flavor and traditional soup vegetable profile.
• Garlic: Provides intense, sharp flavor and aromatic base.

• Salt: Essential for enhancing overall flavor of the soup.
• Mustard Powder: Adds subtle tangy kick and depth to the soup.
• Bay Leaves: Traditional herb that infuses subtle earthy flavor.
• Ground White Pepper: Provides mild, smooth heat and seasoning.
• Water: Primary liquid base for creating soup consistency.

How To Simmer Pioneer Woman Ham And Bean Soup

Step 1: Prepare Beans

Rinse dry great northern beans. In a large pot, combine beans with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 1 hour.

Step 2: Add Vegetables and Seasonings

• Salt
• Chopped carrots
• Chopped onion
• 1/2 stalk chopped celery
• Minced garlic
• Mustard powder
• 2 bay leaves

Step 3: Cook With Ham Hock

Add 1 ham hock to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently for 2 hours or until beans become tender.

Step 4: Remove and Chop Ham

Take out the ham hock from the pot. Let it cool, then carefully remove meat from the bone. Chop meat and set aside.

Step 5: Add Extra Ham

Stir chopped ham into the pot. Continue cooking soup for 30 additional minutes.

Step 6: Final Seasoning

Remove bay leaves. Season with ground white pepper or to taste. Add reserved ham hock meat back into soup if desired.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot with crusty bread on the side for dipping.

Handy Advice For Pioneer Woman Ham And Bean Soup

• Boost Bean Texture: Soak beans overnight or use quick-soak method to ensure tender, perfectly cooked legumes without tough skins.
• Chop with Precision: Cut vegetables into uniform sizes for consistent cooking and balanced flavor distribution throughout the soup.
• Control Flavor Intensity: Add seasonings gradually, tasting as you go to balance the natural saltiness of ham without overwhelming the dish.
• Clean Up Fat Layer: Gently remove excess fat floating on top using a spoon, creating a lighter and more health-conscious soup.
• Master Simmering Technique: Cook soup at low, steady heat to prevent bean breakdown and allow ingredients to develop rich, harmonious flavors.

Tips For Keeping Pioneer Woman Ham And Bean Soup Fresh

• Preserve in Freezer Containers: Transfer completely cooled soup into heavy-duty freezer bags or rigid containers with tight-fitting lids. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain optimal flavor quality. Label each container with the date and contents for easy tracking.
• Refrigerate for Quick Consumption: Store leftover soup in glass or ceramic containers with secure seals. Keep refrigerated and consume within 3-4 days for best taste and texture. Position containers in the coldest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Portion and Reheat Strategically: Divide soup into individual serving sizes before storing. This technique allows convenient thawing and prevents repeated temperature changes that might compromise soup quality. Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly.

Fun Variations On Pioneer Woman Ham And Bean Soup

• Smoky Bacon Boost: Replace ham hock with crispy bacon pieces, adding a smoky flavor and extra crunch to the soup.
• Spicy Southwestern Style: Mix in diced green chiles, cumin, and a splash of hot sauce for a zesty southwestern kick.
• Vegetarian Bean Delight: Swap ham with smoked tofu or roasted mushrooms, using vegetable broth to maintain rich depth of flavor.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Add fresh rosemary, thyme, and a splash of white wine to transform the soup with Mediterranean-inspired herbs and complexity.

Parting Thoughts On Pioneer Woman Ham And Bean Soup

Hearty ham and bean soup emerges as pure comfort, connecting generations through simple, nourishing ingredients.

Rustic flavors dance across palates with memories of grandma’s kitchen and warm family gatherings.

Salt-kissed legumes absorb rich ham essence, creating depth beyond basic nutrition.

Kitchenalchemy transforms humble components into soul-satisfying warmth perfect for chilly evenings.

Classic recipes like this carry culinary heritage from one generation to another, bridging past and present.

Passionate home cooks can recreate this timeless soup, sharing love through each carefully crafted spoonful – savor, share, comment, spread deliciousness!

Pioneer Woman Ham And Bean Soup Recipe

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4.5 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty Pioneer Woman ham and bean soup delivers comfort straight from rural kitchens. Simmering with smoky ham, tender beans, and rich broth, this classic recipe promises warm satisfaction that connects home cooks to cherished family traditions.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 ham hock
• 2 cups chopped ham
• 1 pound (454 grams) dry great northern beans, sorted and rinsed
• 8 cups (1.9 liters) water

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 cup (150 grams) chopped onion
• 1 cup (150 grams) chopped carrots
• 0.5 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic

Seasonings and Spices:

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

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Instructions

1. Rinse 1 pound (453 grams) of dry great northern beans thoroughly. Pour 8 cups (1.9 liters) of cold water into a large pot and add the beans. Heat until boiling, then reduce temperature and allow to simmer for 2 minutes.
2. Remove the pot from heat, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and let the beans soak for approximately 1 hour to soften and develop their texture.
3. After soaking, drain and rinse the beans, then return them to the pot with fresh water. Add 1 cup (130 grams) of finely diced carrots, 1 cup (160 grams) of chopped onions, ½ stalk of sliced celery, 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of mustard powder, ½ teaspoon of salt, and 2 whole bay leaves.
4. Introduce the ham hock to the pot and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and allow the soup to simmer gently for 2 hours or until the beans become tender and soft.
5. Carefully remove the ham hock from the liquid and set aside to cool. Once manageable, extract the meat from the bone, chop into bite-sized pieces, and reserve for later.
6. Stir 2 cups (340 grams) of chopped ham into the pot and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes to meld the flavors.
7. Extract the bay leaves and discard. Season the soup with ½ teaspoon of ground white pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
8. Reintroduce the chopped ham hock meat into the soup if desired. Taste and make final seasoning adjustments.
9. Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls and accompany with crusty bread for a hearty and comforting meal.

Notes

• Learn how soaking beans overnight softens them quickly, reducing overall cooking time and helping ingredients blend smoothly.
• Chopping vegetables uniformly ensures they cook evenly, releasing maximum flavor and maintaining perfect texture throughout the soup.
• Gentle simmering prevents beans from breaking down, allowing delicate flavors to marry beautifully without turning mushy or losing structure.
• Carefully skimming excess fat creates a lighter, more refined soup that feels less greasy and more satisfying on the palate.
• Adding seasonings gradually helps balance saltiness from ham, letting you control the final taste with precision and personal preference.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 253 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 357 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg