White Bean and Ham Soup

Bean soup is a great way to use the ham bone from a Holiday ham dinner. We usually have a spiral cut ham for Christmas and/or Easter dinner and I put the bone into the freezer until I'm in the mood for a good ole bowl of soup beans.

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound dried white beans
  • 2 quarts water
  • 1 ham bone with some ham meat
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 large white onion, finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup celery, chopped very fine
  • 1 garlic clove, peeled and smashed
  • 3 thyme sprigs
  • Kosher salt and Freshly ground pepper to taste

    Instructions:

    Rinse beans in a colander. Put beans into a large soup pot and cover with water. Allow to soak overnight or at least up to 4 hours. Drain beans and rinse again.

    Add beans back to pot and add 2 quarts water and ham bone. Cook on medium heat until beans are almost tender.

    Melt butter in a skillet, add onions, celery and garlic. Cook on medium heat until onions are tender. Add thyme and cook about 3 more minutes. Add the onion mixture to the beans and ham bone and continue to cook until bean are tender.

    Remove the ham bone from the soup and remove any ham and add the meat back to the soup. Discard the thyme sprigs. Season with salt and pepper to taste.