Alton Brown’s Cozy Ham and Bean Soup Recipe Magic

Ham and bean soup whispers comfort through its steaming, aromatic embrace.

This hearty classic transforms humble ingredients into a symphony of flavor.

Tender ham chunks dance with creamy beans, creating a culinary masterpiece that speaks directly to your hunger.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this soul-warming recipe, infusing love into every ladle.

Simmering vegetables and rich broth merge, producing a meal that hugs you from the inside out.

Packed with protein and warmth, this soup turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.

Let’s unlock the secret to a bowl that promises pure, delicious satisfaction.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 5

What’s in Alton Brown’s Ham and Bean Soup

• Dried Beans: Choose smooth, uniform beans without cracks or discoloration for best texture.
• Water: Use filtered water to enhance clean, pure flavor of the beans.

• Carrots, Celery, Onion: Select firm, vibrant vegetables with no soft spots or blemishes.
• Garlic: Pick plump, tight-skinned cloves without green sprouts for robust flavor.
• Mustard: Opt for whole grain or Dijon mustard to add tangy depth.
• Bay Leaves: Look for whole, intact leaves with rich green color and strong fragrance.

• Ham Hock: Choose a meaty, well-trimmed cut with good marbling for rich, hearty flavor.
• Chopped Ham: Select high-quality, lean ham with consistent color and minimal fat for clean taste.
• Salt: Use kosher or sea salt for balanced seasoning.
• Ground White Pepper: Select freshly ground for a subtle, warming heat.

Cooking Tools for Alton Brown’s Ham and Bean Soup

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling and simmering beans and soup ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping vegetables precisely.
• Sharp Knife: Needed to dice carrots, celery, onion, and garlic cleanly.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching pot.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps add exact amounts of salt and seasonings.
• Colander: Optional for draining beans if needed.
• Ladle: Great for serving soup and transferring hot liquid safely.

How to Prepare Alton Brown’s Ham and Bean Soup

Hearty Bean Soup Adventure

• Kick Off Bean Preparation

Toss dried beans into a spacious pot and cover with water. Blast the heat to create a vigorous boil that transforms those humble legumes into something magical.

• Create Flavor Foundation

Scoop in chopped carrots, celery, onions, and minced garlic. Drop in aromatic bay leaves and a touch of mustard to build a robust flavor landscape. Stir everything together with enthusiasm.

• Introduce Smoky Protein

Nestle a ham hock into the bubbling mixture. Let it simmer gently, infusing the soup with rich, deep smokiness. Once the meat starts falling off the bone, remove the hock and chop some additional ham to sprinkle throughout.

• Season and Perfect

Dance a pinch of white pepper across the surface of your soup. Give it a taste and adjust the seasonings until each spoonful sings with deliciousness. The soup should now be thick, hearty, and bursting with layers of comforting flavor.

Customization Tips for Alton Brown’s Ham and Bean Soup

• Boost Bean Soup Flavor: Add a splash of apple cider vinegar during the final seasoning for a bright, tangy kick that cuts through the richness.
• Customize Ham Varieties: Swap ham hock with smoked bacon or pancetta to create unique flavor profiles that match your taste preferences.
• Make It Creamy: Blend a portion of the cooked beans and return them to the pot for a thicker, more velvety texture that feels luxurious and comforting.
• Stretch Your Soup: Toss in extra vegetables like kale or spinach during the last 15 minutes of cooking to increase nutrition and stretch the recipe for more servings.

Serving Tips for Ham and Bean Soup

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Serve warm bean soup alongside thick slices of rustic sourdough or hearty whole wheat bread for a delightful dipping experience.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or chives on top to add a bright, fresh flavor and beautiful green color contrast.
• Create a Complete Meal: Accompany the soup with a simple green salad dressed in light vinaigrette to balance the rich, hearty beans and ham.
• Offer Cheese on the Side: Set out grated parmesan or crumbled feta for guests to customize their soup and add an extra layer of savory flavor.

Storage Advice for Alton Brown’s Ham and Bean Soup

• Maximize Bean Soup Freshness: Store cooled soup in airtight containers, keeping it refrigerated for up to 4 days. The flavors will actually intensify overnight, making each subsequent serving more delicious.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Portion the soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Frozen bean soup maintains great quality for 3 months, providing quick comfort food during busy weeks.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated soup gradually over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Add a splash of water or broth if the soup seems too thick, restoring its original creamy consistency.
• Prevent Texture Breakdown: Avoid repeated reheating, which can make beans mushy and compromise the soup's delightful texture. When possible, reheat only the amount you plan to consume immediately.

Hearty Alton Brown Ham And Bean Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Alton Brown’s ham and bean soup delivers hearty Southern comfort in a single pot. Robust flavors merge with tender beans and smoky ham, creating a satisfying meal that warms you from the inside out.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups chopped ham
• 1 ham hock
• 1 pound dry great northern beans (sorted and rinsed)
• 8 cups (1.9 L) water
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 0.5 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 2 bay leaves
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 1 tsp mustard powder
• 0.5 tsp ground white pepper (or to taste)

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Instructions

1. Bean Preparation: Combine water and dried navy beans in a stockpot, bringing to a vigorous boil, then remove from heat, sprinkle with kosher salt, cover tightly, and let steep for one hour to soften beans completely.
2. Vegetable Integration: Mince carrots, celery, onions, and garlic, introducing them to the bean mixture along with Dijon mustard and bay leaves, stirring thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly throughout the liquid.
3. Ham Infusion: Submerge ham hock into the pot, simmering until meat becomes incredibly tender, approximately 45-50 minutes, then carefully remove, discard bone and excess fat, and shred remaining meat.
4. Flavor Harmonization: Return shredded ham to the pot, reducing heat to a low simmer and allowing all components to meld together for an additional 25-30 minutes, creating a rich and complex flavor profile.
5. Final Seasoning: Introduce a subtle touch of ground white pepper, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed to achieve a perfectly balanced soup with depth and warmth.

Notes

• Soak Beans Strategically: Use boiling water method to soften beans quickly and evenly, reducing overall cooking time and ensuring tender texture.
• Vegetable Precision Matters: Dice vegetables uniformly to guarantee consistent cooking and balanced flavor distribution throughout the soup.
• Ham Hock Selection Tip: Choose a high-quality, smoky ham hock for maximum depth of flavor and rich, meaty undertones in the soup.
• Seasoning Subtlety: Add white pepper sparingly to enhance the soup’s complexity without overwhelming the delicate balance of ingredients.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 15 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg