Absolutely! Here’s a rich, smoky, and deeply satisfying recipe for Hearty Navy Bean and Ham Hock Soup — perfect for a chilly day or when you’re craving down-home comfort food.
🍲 Hearty Navy Bean and Ham Hock Soup
Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2.5–3 hours (mostly hands-off)
Optional Soak Time: 8 hours or overnight for beans
Ingredients:
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1 lb (about 2 cups) dried navy beans
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1–2 smoked ham hocks (about 1½–2 lbs total)
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1 tbsp olive oil or butter
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1 large onion, chopped
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2–3 garlic cloves, minced
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2 medium carrots, diced
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2 celery stalks, diced
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1 bay leaf
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1 tsp dried thyme
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1/2 tsp black pepper (add salt later if needed)
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8 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water (or a mix)
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1–2 cups cooked ham, diced (optional, for extra meatiness)
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Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
🌙 1. Soak the Beans (Optional but recommended):
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Rinse and sort the navy beans.
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Soak in plenty of cold water overnight, then drain and rinse.
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Shortcut: Use the quick soak method — boil beans for 2 minutes, then let sit for 1 hour. Drain.
🔥 2. Sauté the Base Veggies:
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In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat oil or butter over medium heat.
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Add onion, carrot, and celery; sauté for 5–6 minutes until softened.
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Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
🥣 3. Build the Soup:
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Add drained beans, ham hocks, bay leaf, thyme, pepper, and broth/water to the pot.
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Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
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Cover and simmer gently for 2–2½ hours, until beans are very tender and ham is falling off the bone.
🍖 4. Shred the Ham:
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Remove the ham hocks and let cool slightly.
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Pull the meat off the bones, shred it, and discard the bones and excess fat.
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Return shredded meat to the pot. Add diced cooked ham if using.
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Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
⏲️ 5. Simmer & Serve:
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Simmer uncovered for another 15–20 minutes to thicken slightly.
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Remove bay leaf before serving.
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Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
📝 Tips:
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Too thick? Add a bit more broth or water.
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Too thin? Mash some beans against the side of the pot and stir.
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Make ahead: This soup gets even better the next day.
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Freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.