Hearty Ham and Bean Soup

Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make Hearty Ham and Bean Soup.

1. Step 1

   Begin by rinsing the Great Northern beans thoroughly and placing them in a spacious container.

2. Step 2

   Submerge the beans in several inches of cool water and allow them to soak for 8 hours or overnight, letting them absorb all that moisture.

3. Step 3

   Once they’ve soaked, drain the beans and transfer them to a large stockpot.

4. Step 4

   Next, introduce the ham hocks, 5 cups of water, sliced celery, chopped onion, diced carrot, minced garlic, dried thyme, black pepper, and a bay leaf into the pot with the beans.

5. Step 5

   Bring this hearty mixture to a vigorous boil over high heat.

6. Step 6

   As soon as it reaches a rolling boil, lower the heat to medium-low and let it simmer gently for about 2 hours, or until the ham is tender enough to fall off the bone.

7. Step 7

   With care, remove the ham hocks from the pot.

8. Step 8

   Strip the meat from the bones, discarding any fat and bones, then return the succulent meat to the pot.

9. Step 9

   Allow the soup to continue cooking until the beans achieve your preferred level of tenderness, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.

10. Step 10

    Enjoy the comforting aroma as it fills your kitchen, a true testament to the warmth of home-cooked meals.