Easy Ham and Green Bean Soup

FAQs:

Ingredients for Ham, Green Bean, and Potato Soup:

• Olive oil: Used to sauté the vegetables.
• Onion, carrots, garlic: Aromatics that add flavor to the soup.
• Vegetable broth: Adds more flavor than using water.
• Seasonings: Salt, pepper, dried thyme, dried sage, smoked paprika, bay leaves.
• Potatoes: I like to use Yukon gold as there is no need to peel.
• Green beans: You can use fresh or frozen for this recipe.
• Ham bones: Add a lot of flavor to the broth.
• Cannellini beans: I like their texture and flavor, but you can use any beans you like.
• Chopped ham: Use leftover ham, or buy a small amount to chop up and add to the soup.

How to Make Ham and Green Bean Soup:

• Begin by chopping your onion and carrots, and mince the garlic. 
• Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a Dutch oven (or similar large pot) over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and carrots, and sauté for about 8 minutes until onion is tender. Add the minced garlic, salt, and pepper, and cook about 2 more minutes.
• While the carrots and onion are cooking, chop the potatoes and trim the green beans to one-inch pieces.
• When the garlic is fragrant, add about ½ cup of stock along with the remaining spices to the Dutch oven, and scrape up any bits that have stuck to the bottom.
• Pour in the remaining stock, and add the potatoes, green beans, ham bones, and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer, then cover, and turn to low. Continue to simmer for about 30 minutes until the potatoes have softened.
• Add in the drained and rinsed cannellini beans and chopped ham. Cook about 20 more minutes until heated through.
• Remove the bay leaves and ham bones before serving.

Serving Suggestions:

• Garnish with fresh herbs, parmesan cheese, or croutons.
• Serve with rustic, crusty bread on the side. You’ll love this Irish Soda Bread for dipping in soups.
• A simple side salad makes this a complete meal.

More Delicious Soup Recipes:

• Vegetable Miso Soup
• Lentil Farro Stew
• Irish Beef Stew
• Orzo Soup with Pancetta 
• Vegetable Minestrone
• Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredient Substitutions:

• Ham: Crumbled sausage or a smoked sausage cut into slices could also work in this recipe.
• Vegetable broth: Use whatever type of broth your family prefers.
• Cannellini beans: Any variety of beans you like can be used fo this soup.
• Green beans: You could also think about using broccoli, cauliflower, green peas, asparagus, or zucchini. Any variety of vegetables you like can be used.
• Yukon gold potatoes: Any variety of waxy potato will work. I like to use them since there is no need to peel, and you retain the nutrients from the peel.

Recipe Notes:

• Ham and Green Bean Soup was originally published December 31, 2018. It has been updated with new photos and recipe tips to make it more user friendly.
• A Lodge Dutch oven is my favorite pot for making soups. It’s heavy duty, maintains a simmer beautifully, and is so easy to clean.