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Leftover Ham and Bean Soup

Leftover Ham and Bean Soup is a cozy, nourishing dish loaded with vegetables, beans, and savory ham simmered in a flavorful broth. This recipe is perfect for transforming leftover ham and ham bone into a delicious, filling one-pot meal.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 leftover ham bone
  • 2 cups leftover ham cubed
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 medium carrots chopped
  • 3 celery stalks chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 whole parsnip peeled and cleaned
  • 8 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 19 oz cannellini beans 1 can, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.
  • Add onion, celery, and carrots; cook for 5 minutes until onion softens.
  • Add garlic, leftover ham, ham bone, parsnip, bay leaves, and broth.
  • Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Stir in the rinsed beans, cumin, thyme, salt, and pepper.
  • Continue cooking for another 30 minutes.
  • Remove ham bone, bay leaves, and parsnip from the pot.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
  • Serve warm with crusty bread for a complete meal.

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Replace cannellini beans with navy beans, great northern beans, or butter beans.
  • Use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth if preferred.
  • If you don’t have parsnip, add an extra carrot for similar sweetness.

Make-Ahead & Storage

  • Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
  • Freeze soup for up to 3 months; thaw overnight before reheating.
  • Add extra broth or water when reheating if soup thickens.

Serving Variations

  • Add baby spinach during the last 5 minutes for extra greens.
  • Stir in cooked potatoes for a heartier texture.
  • Add a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness before serving.

Avoid Common Mistakes

  • Don’t skip rinsing the beans; it prevents excess salt and starch.
  • Avoid boiling the soup too long with the ham bone to prevent bitterness.
  • Taste the broth before adding salt—ham can be naturally salty.