Hearty & Flavorful Navy Bean Soup with Ham: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
Embrace the warmth and timeless appeal of a truly classic dish with this incredible Navy Bean Soup Recipe. This isn’t just any soup; it’s a soul-satisfying meal, brimming with tender navy beans, savory chunks of ham, and a harmonious medley of aromatic vegetables and herbs. Whether you’re seeking a comforting dinner on a chilly evening, an ingenious way to utilize leftover holiday ham, or a wholesome meal prep option, this recipe promises to deliver a rich, hearty experience that truly warms from the inside out.
Imagine a cold autumn or winter day, and the delightful aroma of a simmering pot of homemade soup filling your kitchen. This Navy Bean Soup is precisely that kind of dish. It offers a comforting embrace, perfect when served alongside a thick slice of crusty bread, ideal for soaking up every last drop of its incredibly flavorful broth. It’s a meal that feels both wholesome and wonderfully indulgent, making it a family favorite year after year.
One of the best features of this recipe is its versatility, especially if you find yourself with a generous amount of leftover ham from festive occasions like Easter or Christmas. Transforming a holiday ham bone or leftover ham into this delectable soup is not only economical but also infuses the broth with an unparalleled depth of savory, smoky flavor. It’s a cherished tradition in many households, and once you try it, you’ll understand why this simple repurposing creates such a spectacular dish.
I personally love to prepare a large batch of this navy bean soup. It’s the kind of dish that tastes even better the next day, as the flavors continue to meld and deepen, making it fantastic for workday lunches or easy dinners throughout the week. Plus, it freezes beautifully, allowing you to enjoy a homemade, comforting meal with minimal effort on a busy future evening. We’ll cover detailed instructions for both stovetop and slow cooker methods, ensuring you can choose the option that best fits your schedule and preferences, whether you have time to simmer or prefer a hands-off approach.
For those opting for the slow cooker, using dried beans is a breeze – simply add a bit more water, and the slow cooking process will soften them perfectly without pre-soaking. If you prefer the stovetop method with dried beans, an overnight soak is recommended for the best texture and to significantly reduce cooking time. Bean soups, in general, are among my favorite comfort foods. They’re incredibly satisfying, packed with protein and fiber, and provide sustained energy, which is particularly welcome during colder months when you crave something substantial and nourishing.
If you’re a fan of hearty bean soups, you might also enjoy rotating this Navy Bean Soup Recipe with other delicious favorites like this Tuscan Bean Soup, a rich and creamy White Bean Soup with Ham, the convenient and robust Slow Cooker Sausage Kale White Bean Soup, or a simple yet profoundly flavorful White Bean Soup. For those who love their Instant Pot for quick and easy meals, don’t miss this Instant Pot Bean Soup recipe for a quicker alternative that doesn’t compromise on taste.
Why You Will Adore This Hearty Navy Bean and Ham Soup
This Navy Bean Soup recipe stands out for many wonderful reasons, making it a beloved staple in my kitchen and, I’m sure, soon to be in yours too. Its combination of ease, flavor, and practicality is truly unmatched:
- Effortlessly Delicious and Simple to Prepare: Creating this comforting soup requires minimal hands-on time, making it perfect for both novice and experienced cooks. The process is straightforward: a quick sauté of aromatic vegetables to build a foundational flavor, then simply adding the remaining ingredients to the pot and letting it work its magic. It simmers gently, allowing all the robust flavors to meld beautifully. If you have delicious leftover ham from the holidays, your prep time is even further reduced, transforming a simple meal into an incredibly convenient culinary delight.
- A Wholesome, Filling, and Balanced Meal: This isn’t just a light appetizer or side dish; it’s a robust, satisfying bowl of soup that can easily stand as a complete one-pot dinner. Packed with lean protein from the ham and an abundance of fiber from the navy beans and fresh vegetables, it’s thoughtfully designed to keep you feeling full and thoroughly satisfied without being overly heavy. This makes it a well-balanced, nutritious meal that caters to the whole family; even the pickiest eaters often find themselves drawn to its mild, savory flavors and comforting texture.
- Perfect for Meal Prep and Convenient Freezing: One of my absolute favorite aspects of this recipe is how incredibly well it adapts to modern meal planning. Given its excellent freezing qualities, I often make a double batch. This allows me to enjoy half for a delicious dinner tonight and easily tuck the other half away in the freezer for those busy evenings when you need a quick, wholesome, and homemade meal without the fuss of cooking from scratch. It reheats wonderfully, often tasting even better as the flavors have more time to deepen and develop over time.
- Budget-Friendly and Economical: Utilizing leftover ham is a fantastic way to stretch your food budget, transforming what might otherwise be discarded into a star ingredient. Additionally, both dried and canned navy beans are typically very affordable, making this a cost-effective meal that never compromises on rich flavor or essential nutrition. It’s a smart choice for feeding a family without breaking the bank.
- Incredibly Customizable to Your Tastes: As you’ll discover in the “Ways to Modify This Soup” section below, this recipe is wonderfully forgiving and adaptable. You can easily adjust the types of vegetables used, incorporate different varieties of beans, or even swap out the protein source to suit your personal taste preferences, dietary requirements, or simply whatever ingredients you happen to have on hand. It’s a truly versatile canvas for your culinary creativity.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Navy Bean Soup
Creating a truly flavorful and memorable Navy Bean Soup starts with a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to gather to bring this comforting dish to life:
For precise measurements and detailed step-by-step instructions, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located further down this page.
- Fresh Aromatic Vegetables: The indispensable foundation of any truly great soup begins with a fragrant medley. For this navy bean soup recipe, we build our base with a classic combination of fresh garlic, which provides a pungent depth and irresistible aroma; sweet onion for a subtle sweetness and body that softens beautifully; and crisp carrots and celery, often collectively referred to as a “mirepoix,” which adds essential aromatic flavors, natural sweetness, and a pleasant texture to the broth.
- Flavorful Seasoning Blend: A carefully chosen mix of dried herbs is key to elevating this soup from simple to spectacular. We incorporate dried oregano, parsley, thyme, and rosemary for a traditional, savory, and wonderfully earthy profile. A touch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes is entirely optional but highly recommended to introduce a gentle warmth and subtle kick, enhancing the overall complexity without overpowering the other delicate flavors. The indispensable bay leaf contributes an earthy, slightly minty note during simmering that deepens the broth’s character. Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper are, of course, essential for seasoning to taste and balancing all the elements.
- Navy Beans: The undeniable star of our comforting soup! You’ll need three 16-ounce cans of navy beans, thoroughly drained and rinsed to remove excess sodium and preserve flavor, or 16 ounces of dried navy beans. Navy beans are small, oval-shaped white beans known for their incredibly mild flavor and wonderfully creamy, almost melt-in-your-mouth texture when perfectly cooked, making them absolutely ideal for this hearty soup. If using dried beans for stovetop preparation, remember the crucial step of soaking them overnight (typically 8-12 hours) to ensure even cooking and significantly reduce overall cooking time. For crockpot cooking, pre-soaking is usually not necessary, just ensure adequate liquid is added.
- Savory Ham: To achieve that rich, authentic, and wonderfully smoky flavor profile that defines classic navy bean soup, we typically use a combination of both diced cooked ham and a smoked ham shank or a meaty ham bone. The ham bone or shank is absolutely crucial for imparting a deep, umami-rich, and smoky flavor to the broth as it slowly simmers, giving the soup an incredible depth. If you have a flavorful leftover ham bone from a recent holiday meal, it’s the perfect ingredient to use! Otherwise, pre-cooked diced ham is readily available in most grocery stores’ meat departments, and a smoked ham hock can be found there too to add that necessary smoky depth and body to your broth.
- Broth and Tomatoes: Six cups of low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth will form the flavorful liquid base of our soup. Using low-sodium allows you to control the saltiness. A 16-ounce can of diced tomatoes or petite diced tomatoes adds a touch of acidity and sweetness, brightening the overall flavor of the soup and providing a lovely color contrast.
Creative Ways to Customize Your Navy Bean Soup
This Navy Bean Soup recipe is wonderfully forgiving and incredibly adaptable, allowing you to tailor it perfectly to your personal preferences, specific dietary needs, or simply to whatever fresh ingredients you happen to have on hand. Don’t hesitate to get creative and make it your own!
- Boost Your Veggies: Enhance the nutritional value, vibrant color, and satisfying texture by incorporating extra vegetables. Fantastic additions include tender green beans, sweet peas, brightly colored diced bell peppers (any color works wonderfully), or even fire-roasted tomatoes for an extra layer of smoky flavor. If you have frozen mixed vegetables in your freezer, they can be conveniently tossed in during the last 15-20 minutes of simmering for an effortless and healthy boost.
- Incorporate Leafy Greens: For an extra dose of essential nutrients and a beautiful splash of vibrant color, consider stirring in a generous handful of fresh leafy greens towards the very end of the cooking process. Hearty spinach, robust kale, elegant cavolo nero (also known as black kale), or earthy Swiss chard all wilt beautifully into the warm soup, adding a slight earthy bitterness that wonderfully complements the savory ham and creamy beans.
- Explore Ham Variations: While a smoked ham hock or a meaty ham bone provides exceptional depth and authenticity, you can certainly experiment with other options. If you don’t have a bone, a few strips of crispy smoked bacon, diced and rendered at the very start of cooking, can provide a similar smoky and savory foundation. You can also use other cured pork products for flavor, like pancetta or even a bit of smoked sausage.
- Alternate Proteins for Different Flavors: If ham isn’t your preference, or if you’re looking to explore a different flavor profile, this soup is versatile enough to accommodate other proteins. Consider using shredded rotisserie chicken, savory browned ground turkey, lean ground pork, or even ground chicken. Just ensure any raw meat is fully cooked through before serving. For a truly satisfying vegetarian option, simply omit the ham and use vegetable broth, perhaps adding a touch of smoked paprika and a dash of liquid smoke for that desired depth.
- Bean Swap Bonanza: Don’t feel limited to just navy beans! Other white beans like Great Northern beans or creamy cannellini beans are excellent substitutes, offering a similar mild flavor and wonderfully creamy texture. For a bolder flavor and a different textural experience, try black beans, pinto beans, or kidney beans. Sometimes, I enjoy creating a diverse mixture of beans, combining a can of white beans, navy beans, and pinto beans for a more varied and visually appealing soup that’s packed with even more nutrition.
- Customize the Spice Level: If you love a bit more heat and warmth in your soup, feel free to increase the amount of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to your liking. A generous pinch of smoked paprika can also add another delightful layer of smoky flavor, even if you’re not using a ham hock. A dash of hot sauce right before serving also adds a kick.
- Achieve Extra Creaminess: For an even richer, thicker, and more luxurious creamy consistency, you can easily blend a portion of the soup. Simply remove about 1 to 1.5 cups of the cooked beans (and a little broth) from the soup once it’s finished simmering. Blend these removed beans into a smooth puree using an immersion blender directly in the pot, or carefully transfer them to a regular blender. Return the creamy bean puree to the main pot and stir it thoroughly through the soup. This method adds body and creaminess without needing any dairy or altering the fundamental flavor profile significantly.
How to Make Flavorful Navy Bean Soup (Stovetop Method)
Crafting this hearty and deeply flavorful soup on your stovetop is a rewarding process that fills your home with incredible aromas. Follow these simple, step-by-step instructions for a delicious and comforting meal that you’ll want to make again and again:
Step 1: Prepare the Beans (if using dried): If your recipe calls for dried navy beans, this crucial first step ensures they cook evenly and become wonderfully tender. Place the dried beans in a large bowl, cover them with several inches of cold water (they will expand!), and let them soak overnight (typically 8-12 hours). This essential process helps to fully rehydrate them, significantly reduces cooking time, and can also aid in digestibility. Before you begin cooking, make sure to drain and rinse the soaked beans thoroughly under cold running water.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatic Vegetables: In a spacious Dutch oven or a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot (which helps distribute heat evenly), heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Once hot, add the minced garlic and sauté for about two minutes, stirring constantly, until it becomes fragrant and lightly golden – be very careful not to let it burn, as burnt garlic can taste bitter. Next, introduce the diced sweet onion, finely chopped carrot, and diced celery to the pot. Continue to sauté these vegetables for approximately 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and become beautifully translucent. This initial sauté step is absolutely vital for building a deep, rich flavor base for your entire soup.
Step 3: Bloom the Spices for Enhanced Flavor: This crucial step dramatically enhances the flavor and intoxicating aroma of your spices. Add the dried oregano, dried parsley, dried thyme, dried rosemary, cayenne red pepper (if you’re adding a touch of heat), kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to the sautéed vegetables in the pot. Stir continuously for an additional 4-5 minutes. The gentle heat will ‘bloom’ or toast the spices, releasing their essential oils and intensifying their flavors, which will then infuse beautifully and deeply into the broth. You’ll definitely notice a more profound, complex aroma emanating from the pot during this vital stage.
Step 4: Incorporate Beans, Ham, and Liquids: Now, it’s time to bring all the main components of our hearty soup together. Carefully add the drained and rinsed navy beans (or your pre-soaked dried beans), the flavorful diced cooked ham, the smoked ham hock or ham bone (if you’re using it for extra depth), the entire can of diced tomatoes (undrained, as the liquid adds flavor), and the bay leaves to the pot. Finally, pour in the 6 cups of low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth. Give everything a good, thorough stir to combine all the ingredients completely, ensuring nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot. This sets the stage for a perfect simmer.
Step 5: Simmer to Perfection and Remove Ham Bone: Bring the entire soup mixture to a gentle, rolling simmer over medium-high heat. Once it reaches a steady simmer, immediately reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly with its lid, and let it cook for at least 30 minutes, or even longer if using dried beans (until beans are tender). This extended simmering time is crucial, allowing all the individual flavors to meld beautifully and for the navy beans to become perfectly tender and creamy. If you’re using a smoked ham hock or ham bone, this is when its savory essence fully permeates and enriches the broth. After simmering, carefully remove the ham bone or hock from the pot. Allow it to cool slightly on a cutting board so it’s easier to handle, then pick off any tender, succulent pieces of meat and return them directly to the soup, discarding the bone and any excess fat or gristle.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve Your Comforting Soup: Once the soup has reached its ideal consistency and flavor profile (taste and adjust seasonings as needed), it’s ready to be served. Ladle generous, steaming portions into your favorite bowls. For a fresh burst of vibrant flavor and a beautiful, inviting presentation, generously garnish each serving with freshly chopped parsley, oregano, or thyme. A sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese is also a delightful and highly recommended addition, adding a salty, umami finish that perfectly complements the rich flavors of the soup. Serve piping hot with your favorite crusty bread, warm cornbread, or a simple side salad for a complete and utterly satisfying meal.
Effortless Crockpot Navy Bean Soup (Slow Cooker Method)
For a truly hands-off approach that allows flavors to deepen throughout the day with minimal effort, the slow cooker (crockpot) is an excellent choice for this Navy Bean Soup. This method is perfect for busy days, delivering a wonderfully rich and tender soup with ease. Here’s how to adapt the recipe:
- Initial Sauté (Optional but Highly Recommended): While you certainly can simply add all ingredients directly to the crockpot, I highly recommend taking an extra 5-10 minutes for a quick sauté of the vegetables first. This step significantly builds a deeper, more complex flavor foundation for your soup. Use a large skillet to heat the olive oil over medium heat, then sauté the minced garlic for two minutes until fragrant. Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery, cooking for another 3-5 minutes until they begin to soften. Then, stir in all the seasoning ingredients (oregano, parsley, thyme, rosemary, cayenne, salt, and pepper) and let them “bloom” with the vegetables for 1-2 minutes, releasing their potent aromas. Once done, transfer the sautéed vegetables and spices to your crockpot.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Add the navy beans (dried or canned), diced cooked ham, smoked ham hock or ham bone (if using), canned diced tomatoes, bay leaves, and chicken or vegetable broth to the crockpot, along with the sautéed vegetables. Stir everything thoroughly to combine all the ingredients well. Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, or until the beans are wonderfully tender and the flavors are fully developed and robust. The longer, slower cook time truly allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Finish and Serve Your Slow Cooked Soup: Once the cooking time is complete and the beans are tender, carefully remove the ham bone or hock from the crockpot. Allow it to cool enough to safely handle, then pick off any succulent pieces of ham and return them directly to the soup. Discard the bone and any gristle or excess fat. Give the soup a good stir, taste, and adjust seasonings (salt and pepper) as needed. Serve the warm, comforting soup garnished with fresh herbs (like parsley or thyme) and a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an extra touch of deliciousness.
Pro Tip: Utilizing Dried Beans in the Crockpot for Superior Flavor
One of the fantastic advantages of using a crockpot for this recipe is the ability to use dried navy beans without the need for overnight soaking. Many home cooks find that dried beans, slow-cooked, offer a superior, creamier flavor and texture compared to their canned counterparts. If you choose to use dried beans, ensure you add an additional 2-3 cups of water or broth to the crockpot, as the beans will absorb a significant amount of liquid during the long cooking process. This crucial adjustment ensures your soup maintains its desired consistency and doesn’t become too thick. The slow, gentle heat of the crockpot will tenderize them perfectly, making them wonderfully soft and flavorful.
Storing and Freezing Your Homemade Navy Bean Soup
Making a large batch of this navy bean soup is a truly smart move, as it stores and reheats wonderfully, often tasting even better the next day. Here are some comprehensive tips to maximize its freshness and preserve its delicious flavor for future enjoyment:
- Refrigeration for Short-Term Storage: Always allow the soup to cool completely to room temperature before attempting to store it. This prevents condensation and helps maintain food safety. Once cooled, transfer any leftover soup into an airtight container. It can be safely and deliciously stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. To reheat, gently warm the soup in a pot on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s piping hot all the way through. Alternatively, individual portions can be quickly reheated in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Freezing for Long-Term Enjoyment: This navy bean soup is an excellent candidate for freezing, making it perfect for meal prep. Once thoroughly cooled, ladle the soup into freezer-safe containers or sturdy, heavy-duty freezer bags. If using freezer bags, lay them flat on a baking sheet to freeze, which saves valuable freezer space once solid. The soup can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months without significant loss of quality. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw the soup overnight in the refrigerator for best results, then reheat using the stovetop or microwave method described above. If reheating directly from frozen (which is possible in a pot over low heat), it will take longer; you might want to add a splash of extra broth or water to prevent sticking and aid in even heating.
- Pro Tip for Optimal Freezing Texture: If you specifically plan to freeze a large portion of the soup, consider undercooking the beans ever so slightly when initially making the soup. This subtle adjustment helps them retain their desired texture better after being frozen and then reheated, preventing them from becoming mushy. The reheating process will complete their cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions About Navy Bean Soup
Absolutely, using leftover ham is not only encouraged but often preferred for this recipe! It’s a fantastic and resourceful way to transform Sunday roast remnants or holiday ham bones into another deeply flavorful and satisfying meal. Utilizing a ham bone, in particular, will infuse the soup with a profoundly savory, smoky flavor that canned or diced ham alone cannot fully replicate. If you’ve recently made a delicious holiday ham like this Apple Cider Glazed Ham, the leftovers are absolutely perfect for this soup. The rich flavors from both the cooked ham and the bone will provide an unparalleled depth to your broth, making your soup truly exceptional.
There are a couple of excellent and easy ways to thicken this navy bean soup to your desired consistency, whether you prefer it slightly brothy or wonderfully thick. For a natural and wholesome thickening method, simply remove about 1 to 1.5 cups of the cooked beans (along with a small amount of broth) from the soup once it’s finished simmering. Blend these removed beans into a smooth puree using an immersion blender directly in the pot (if you have one) or carefully transfer them to a regular blender (exercise caution with hot liquids!). Return the creamy bean puree to the main pot and stir it thoroughly through the soup. This method adds significant body and creaminess without altering the soup’s flavor profile. Another option, for a slightly richer texture, is to create a quick roux: melt 1-2 tablespoons of butter, add an equal amount of all-purpose flour, cook for a minute, then whisk a ladleful of hot broth into the roux before slowly adding it back to the soup and simmering for a few more minutes until thickened.
Yes, this Navy Bean Soup can easily be adapted for a vegetarian or even a vegan diet. To do so, simply omit the ham, ham hock, or ham bone entirely. Instead of chicken broth, use a high-quality vegetable broth. For added depth of flavor and to mimic some of the savory, smoky notes that ham typically provides, you might want to incorporate a tablespoon of smoked paprika and a dash of liquid smoke or a pinch of nutritional yeast. You could also add extra hearty vegetables like chopped mushrooms, diced potatoes, or a robust root vegetable like parsnip for more body and flavor. If serving with Parmesan cheese, ensure it is a vegetarian-friendly option (made without animal rennet) or omit it for a vegan version.
The necessity of soaking dried navy beans depends on your cooking method and desired outcome. If you are preparing the soup on the stovetop, it is highly recommended to soak dried navy beans overnight (8-12 hours) prior to cooking. Soaking helps to rehydrate the beans fully, ensures more even cooking, significantly reduces the overall cooking time, and can also help with digestibility by breaking down some of the complex sugars. If you’re using a slow cooker (crockpot), pre-soaking is generally not strictly required, as the long, gentle cooking time will tenderize the beans sufficiently. However, even with a slow cooker, a quick soak can still marginally reduce cooking time and improve texture. Just remember to add extra liquid (2-3 cups) to the crockpot when using unsoaked dried beans to account for absorption.
Navy Bean Soup, with its rich and hearty broth, pairs wonderfully with a variety of breads. A classic choice is a thick slice of warm, crusty bread, such as a French baguette, sourdough, or rustic country bread, perfect for soaking up every last bit of the delicious broth. Cornbread, especially a slightly sweet or savory homemade version, also makes an excellent accompaniment, offering a delightful textural contrast. Garlic bread or cheese bread can add an extra layer of flavor and decadence to your meal. Ultimately, choose a bread that you love and that can stand up to the robustness of the soup.
More Delicious & Comforting Soup Recipes to Explore
If you’ve thoroughly enjoyed this hearty Navy Bean Soup, you’ll absolutely love these other flavorful and warming soup recipes. They are perfect for any occasion, offering a delightful variety of tastes and textures to keep your meal rotation exciting and your family well-fed.
Soups
Moroccan Red Lentil Soup
Mediterranean
Lebanese Lentil Soup
Vegetarian
Moroccan Carrot Red Lentil Soup
Soup
Tuscan Bean Soup
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Navy Bean Soup Recipe
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Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small, sweet onion, diced
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne red pepper or crushed red pepper flakes {optional}
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 – 16 ounce cans Navy Beans {or sub Great Northern Beans} drained and rinsed or dried beans
- 8 ounces cooked ham, diced
- 1 smoked ham hock or ham bone, optional
- 1 – 16 ounce can of diced tomatoes or petite tomatoes
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
Instructions
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Soak the navy beans overnight if you are using dried beans. If using canned beans skip this step.
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In a large dutch oven heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for two minutes. Add the onion, carrot and celery and saute for 3 minutes.
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Add the oregano, parsley, thyme, rosemary, cayenne red pepper, salt and pepper and continue sauteing for 4-5 minutes, letting the spices bloom.
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Add the navy beans, diced ham, ham hock, diced tomatoes, bay leaves and broth. Stir well.
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Bring to a simmer and turn to low heat. Simmer the soup for 30 minutes. Remove any pieces of ham from the ham bone and add to the soup and remove and discard the bone.
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Serve the soup with fresh parsley, oregano and thyme along with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Storage: Once the soup is cooled store the soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Or freeze the soup for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I sincerely hope you absolutely love this Navy Bean Soup recipe as much as I do! It’s truly more than just a meal; it’s a bowl full of warmth, comforting nostalgia, and hearty goodness that is guaranteed to bring comfort and satisfaction to any table. Whether you choose to whip it up on a busy weeknight using canned beans or simmer it low and slow in the crockpot on a lazy weekend for maximum flavor, its rich, savory tastes and wonderfully satisfying texture are sure to become a cherished favorite in your recipe collection. Don’t forget to share your delicious creations and any delightful twists you add by tagging us on social media!