Ham Bone and Bean Soup is a hearty, comforting dish made by simmering a meaty ham bone with tender beans, aromatic vegetables like carrots, onions, and celery, and flavorful herbs. The long, slow cooking extracts rich, smoky flavor from the ham bone, creating a savory broth that’s thickened naturally by the beans. It’s a wholesome, rustic meal perfect for cold days, offering a balance of protein, fiber, and warmth in every spoonful.
Ingredients
- 1 (16 ounce) package 15-bean soup mix
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 1 ham bone with some meat
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- ½ stalk celery, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 cups chopped ham
- 2 tablespoons liquid smoke flavoring
- 1 ½ tablespoons ground mustard powder
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place bean mix into a large bowl and cover with several inches of water; soak for at least 24 hours. Drain completely.
- Return stock and beans to a boil. Add ham bone, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and bay leaves. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until vegetables are soft, about 1 hour.
- Add chopped ham, liquid smoke, and mustard powder. Stir and let simmer until flavors blend, about 30 more minutes.
- Remove ham bone from the soup. Season with salt and pepper before serving.