Ham and Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked ham (diced, or a ham bone for extra flavor)
• 1 lb dried navy beans (or great northern beans), soaked overnight
• 1 small onion (chopped)
• 2 carrots (sliced)
• 2 celery stalks (chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 6 cups chicken broth (or water)
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt & pepper to taste

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prep beans
   Soak overnight, then drain and rinse.
2. Combine
   Add beans, ham, veggies, garlic, broth, and bay leaf to a large pot.
3. Simmer
   Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1.5–2 hours, until beans are tender.
4. Finish
   Remove bay leaf. If using a ham bone, take it out, shred any meat, and return it to the pot.
5. Season
   Taste and adjust salt and pepper before serving.

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🥄 Slow Cooker Option

• Add everything to your slow cooker
• Cook on low 7–8 hours or high 4–5 hours

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💡 Tips & Variations

• No time to soak? Use canned beans (reduce cooking time to ~30–40 minutes)
• Add potatoes or spinach for extra texture
• A splash of vinegar or lemon at the end brightens the flavor
• For thicker soup, mash some of the beans before serving

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🍞 Serving Ideas

• With crusty bread or cornbread
• Topped with fresh parsley
• A dash of hot sauce for a kick