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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Stir 2 cups (340 grams) of chopped ham into the pot and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Extract the bay leaves and discard. Season the soup with ½ teaspoon of ground white pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Reintroduce the chopped ham hock meat into the soup if desired. Taste and make final seasoning adjustments.
- 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