Ham Cannellini Bean Soup (Printable Version)

A hearty blend of ham, creamy beans, and fresh herbs for a warm, flavorful bowl.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 2 cups cooked ham, diced

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Beans

06 - 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

→ Liquids

07 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

→ Herbs & Seasonings

08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
11 - 1 bay leaf
12 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, adjusted to taste

→ Other

14 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat until shimmering.
02 - Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until vegetables are softened and translucent.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add diced ham and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
05 - Add drained cannellini beans, broth, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine thoroughly.
06 - Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
07 - Remove bay leaf. Stir in fresh parsley, thyme, and rosemary. Simmer for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with additional fresh herbs if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, so you can have dinner on the table before the evening rush.
  • The fresh herbs make it taste like you spent all day cooking when really you just threw it together.
  • One pot means minimal cleanup, which is honestly half the appeal on a busy weeknight.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the canned beans—the starchy liquid will make your soup cloudy and gluey if you leave it in.
  • Fresh herbs at the end make all the difference; dried herbs added at the beginning would taste dusty and flat by comparison.
03 -
  • If you have leftover ham bone from a holiday meal, simmer it in the broth for 20 minutes before adding everything else—it deepens the flavor in ways diced ham alone cannot.
  • Make a double batch and freeze half in individual containers for those mornings when you need something warm and ready to reheat.
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