Navy bean soup (or white bean soup recipe as it is sometimes called) is one of our tastiest soup recipes.
It is a very traditional soup, mostly using simple ingredients that you have on hand in your kitchen, yet it can’t be beat for great flavor.
The recipe calls for a ham bone and this bean soup is a terrific recipe for using up a leftover ham bone.
You don’t have to wait to have a ham bone on hand to enjoy this recipe though. Just substitute 4 to 6 ounces of chopped ham.
The ham bone does give the soup a wonderful rich flavor though, so if you have the ham bone, use it.
You can make this soup vegetarian simply by leaving any of the meat out. I do think in this case that the ham does add extra flavor, but you can certainly make it a good vegetarian soup too.
Navy Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 1 pound navy beans, or 1 large can of navy beans
- 2 1/2 quarts water
- 1/4 cup salt pork, diced
- 3/4 cup carrots, diced
- 3/4 cup onion, chopped
- 3/4 cup celery, chopped
- 3/4 cup potato, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 1 bay leaf, small piece
- 2 whole cloves
- salt and pepper
- 1 ham bone
- 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Soak dried navy beans (or other white beans if desired) in the 2 1/2 quarts of water overnight. Discard the soaking water.
- When ready to make the soup, fry the salt pork in a stock pot. Add the onions, carrots, celery, and potato. Lightly sauté until soft but not brown. Add the seasonings and ham bone.
- Cover and bring to a boil slowly. Reduce heat once it boils and simmer gently for about 2 hours. Remove the ham bone and set it aside. Remove any meat on the ham bone, dice and add to the soup. Add the seasonings and simmer gently for a few minutes. Serve topped with chopped parsley.
Nutrition
Tips:
- This recipe calls for a ham bone, but you can substitute 4 ounces of chopped ham. The ham bone gives this soup a wonderful flavor and is a great use for the leftover ham bone.
- Leave the ham out totally for a vegetarian bean soup recipe. It really is tastier with the ham though.
Sign up here and be the first to get new recipes and tips.
This delicious navy bean soup is just one of our wonderful soup recipes. Find them all here.
If you like this recipe, please take a moment to share it on your favorite social media. Thanks a lot.
I looked for years for a good Navy Bean Soup recipe. I’ve stopped looking. This is it. Thank you.
Thanks Linda! I am so glad you liked it. Thanks for letting me know.
Karen
I have been making this Bean Soup for over 50 years, along with homemade bread buns. Delicious!