Hearty Navy Bean and Ham Hock Soup

Here’s a classic, comforting recipe for Hearty Navy Bean and Ham Hock Soup—perfect for chilly days or when you want something filling and flavorful.

Ingredients (serves 6–8)

• 1 lb dried navy beans, rinsed and sorted
• 1 smoked ham hock (about 1–1.5 lbs)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2–3 cups water (adjust as needed)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Optional: 1/4 tsp smoked paprika or crushed red pepper flakes for extra depth
• Optional garnish: chopped parsley

Instructions

1. Prep the Beans:

• Optional but recommended: soak navy beans in water overnight, or do a quick soak—boil beans 5 minutes, then cover and let sit 1 hour. Drain and rinse before using.

2. Cook Ham Hock:

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, add ham hock, broth, and water.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer 30–40 minutes to start releasing flavor.

3. Sauté Vegetables:

1. In a separate skillet, sauté onion, carrots, and celery in a little oil until softened, about 5–6 minutes.
2. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.

4. Combine Soup:

• Add sautéed vegetables, soaked beans, bay leaves, thyme, and optional spices to the pot with the ham hock.

5. Simmer:

• Cover and simmer on low 1.5–2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and the soup is thickened.
• Remove ham hock, shred the meat, and return to the soup. Discard bones and skin.

6. Season and Serve:

• Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
• Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
• Serve hot with crusty bread.

💡 Tips:

• For creamier soup, mash a few beans against the side of the pot while simmering.
• Add diced potatoes or a handful of chopped greens (like kale or spinach) near the end for extra heartiness.
• Leftovers taste even better the next day after flavors meld.

If you want, I can also provide a slow-cooker version that lets you dump everything in and cook all day for a hands-off approach.

Do you want me to provide that?