The Heartiest Pioneer Woman Ham And Bean Soup Recipe Ever

Pioneer Woman’s ham and bean soup delivers pure culinary comfort that transforms ordinary ingredients into extraordinary warmth.

Rustic flavors meld together, creating a hearty symphony of taste and tradition.

The recipe whispers stories of home-cooked meals and family gatherings.

Tender beans and succulent ham intertwine, generating a rich landscape of delectable sensations.

Aromatic spices elevate this simple dish into a soul-nourishing experience.

Each spoonful promises nostalgia and satisfaction, bridging generations through its unpretentious charm.

Check out this classic recipe and let its magic transport you to a cozy kitchen filled with love and deliciousness.

Simmering Ree’s Ham and Bean Soup

• Soak and Prep Beans

Rinse great northern beans and place in a large pot. Cover with water and bring to a rolling boil. Let simmer briefly, then remove from heat and let beans rest and soften for about an hour.

• Build Flavor Foundation

Mix in colorful chopped vegetables like carrots, onions, and celery. Sprinkle aromatic seasonings including garlic, mustard powder, and bay leaves. Drop in a smoky ham hock to infuse rich depth into the brewing soup.

• Slow Cook and Tenderize

Gently simmer the bean mixture on low heat for two hours. Watch as beans transform into creamy, melt-in-your-mouth morsels while the ham hock releases its savory essence throughout the broth.

• Enhance and Finish

Pull out the ham hock and carefully separate meat from bone. Chop the tender meat and fold it back into the bubbling soup. Let everything mingle and develop flavors for an additional half hour. Remove bay leaves and season with a whisper of white pepper.

• Serve with Comfort

Ladle the steaming, hearty soup into warm bowls. Pair with crusty, rustic bread perfect for soaking up every last drop of this soul-warming dish. Adjust seasonings to your taste and enjoy a bowl of pure comfort.

Tricks for Depth of Flavor in This Soup

• Boost Bean Soup Flavor: Experiment with smoked paprika or a splash of apple cider vinegar for an extra depth of taste.
• Customize Ham Options: Swap ham hock with bacon, pancetta, or smoked sausage to create unique flavor profiles that suit your preference.
• Make Ahead Magic: This soup tastes even better the next day. Store in refrigerator for up to 4 days, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
• Quick Vegetarian Twist: Replace ham with liquid smoke and add additional root vegetables like parsnips or turnips for a hearty plant-based version that maintains rich, satisfying texture.

Serving the Soup, Pioneer-Style

• Dive into Comfort Serving
• Pair with warm, crusty sourdough bread to soak up the rich, savory broth and enhance the hearty bean soup experience.
• Garnish with Fresh Flair
• Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or green onions on top to add a bright, crisp color and light herbal flavor that complements the deep, meaty soup.
• Perfect Temperature Enjoyment
• Serve piping hot in deep ceramic bowls to retain warmth and provide a cozy, comforting meal perfect for chilly days or when craving a satisfying, home-style dish.
• Side Dish Companion
• Consider adding a simple green salad with light vinaigrette to balance the soup's richness and provide a refreshing contrast to the dense, protein-packed bean soup.

Storing and Reheating Ham & Bean Leftovers

• Optimize Bean Soup Storage: Transfer cooled soup to airtight containers, keeping portions separate for easy reheating and minimal waste.
• Refrigerator Preservation: Store soup in sealed containers for up to 4-5 days, ensuring freshness by keeping at consistent cool temperatures.
• Freezer-Friendly Technique: Freeze soup in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags, lasting up to 3 months without compromising flavor or texture.
• Smart Reheating Strategy: Thaw frozen soup overnight in refrigerator, then warm slowly on stovetop, stirring occasionally to maintain creamy consistency and prevent scorching.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Ham & Bean Soup

• Great Northern Beans: Choose dry beans with smooth, uncracked surface and vibrant color.
• Water: Use filtered water for cleaner, fresher taste.

• Carrots, Onion, Celery: Select crisp, firm vegetables without blemishes.
• Garlic: Pick plump cloves with tight, unbroken skin.
• Bay Leaves: Look for whole, fragrant leaves without discoloration.

• Ham Hock: Choose meat with good marbling and pink, fresh appearance.
• Salt: Use kosher or sea salt for deeper flavor profile.
• Mustard Powder: Select fresh, potent powder for robust taste.
• Ground White Pepper: Opt for freshly ground pepper for intense aroma.
• Minced Garlic: Fresh garlic provides more vibrant flavor compared to pre-minced.

Kitchen Tools for Hearty Ham & Bean Soup

• Large pot: Heavy-bottomed, spacious for cooking beans and soup.
• Cutting board: Flat surface for chopping vegetables and meat.
• Sharp knife: For precise chopping of carrots, onions, celery, and ham.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add seasonings like salt and mustard powder.
• Colander: Useful for rinsing beans before cooking.
• Ladle: Great for serving soup into bowls.
• Meat thermometer (optional): Ensures ham hock is cooked properly.

Hearty Pioneer Woman Ham And Bean Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Pioneer woman ham and bean soup blends rustic charm with hearty flavors from traditional American cooking. Simmering ham hocks, white beans, and aromatic vegetables create a comforting meal you’ll savor with each spoonful.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound (454 grams) dry great northern beans, sorted and rinsed
• 2 cups chopped ham
• 1 ham hock
• 8 cups (1.9 liters) water
• 1 cup (150 grams) chopped onion
• 1 cup (150 grams) chopped carrots
• 0.5 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 1 tsp mustard powder
• 2 bay leaves
• 0.5 tsp ground white pepper, or to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Bean Preparation: Thoroughly rinse dry great northern beans, submerge in cold water, bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Cover and let beans soak for one hour to soften and enhance texture.
2. Vegetable and Seasoning Integration: Drain and rinse beans, return to pot with fresh water. Add carrots, onions, celery, garlic, mustard powder, salt, and bay leaves. Incorporate ham hock and bring to a vigorous boil.
3. Slow Simmering Process: Reduce heat to low, cover, and allow soup to gently simmer for two hours until beans reach desired tenderness. Remove ham hock and carefully extract meat from bone, chopping into bite-sized pieces.
4. Flavor Enhancement: Introduce chopped ham into the pot, continuing to cook for an additional 30 minutes to develop a rich, harmonious flavor profile. Discard bay leaves and season with ground white pepper.
5. Final Refinement: Optionally reincorporate chopped ham hock meat. Adjust seasoning to personal preference, ensuring a balanced and robust taste.
6. Serving Presentation: Ladle the steaming soup into warm bowls, pairing with crusty bread to create a comforting and satisfying meal.

Notes

• Soak Beans Correctly: Proper soaking reduces cooking time and helps eliminate gas-causing compounds, ensuring a smoother digestive experience.
• Manage Ham Hock Carefully: Allow ham hock to cool before removing meat to prevent burning fingers and maintain meat’s tender texture.
• Layer Flavors Strategically: Adding ham in two stages (ham hock and chopped ham) develops a deeper, more complex taste profile.
• Season Gradually: Taste and adjust seasonings throughout cooking to build a perfectly balanced soup without over-salting.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 12 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg