Grandma's Ham & Bean Soup

Time :35

Yield :6 servings

Recipe Background

For nostalgic home comfort without having to travel to Grandma's house, Grandma's Ham & Bean Soup is where you need to be. Creamy white beans, succulent ham, tender vegetables, all in a sumptuous chicken broth? That's just the thing you need when you're feeling homesick. Maybe today's the day to let Grandma's Ham & Bean Soup transport you to a beautiful time!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup onions diced
1 cup carrots peeled and diced
1/2 cup celery diced
2 cloves garlic minced
1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 (15-ounce) cans white beans such as great northern beans or cannellini, rinsed and drained
2 cups ham cooked and cubed
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
salt to taste
fresh thyme optional, to taste, for garnish

Directions

In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter.
Add the onions, the carrots, and the celery to the melted butter and cook, while stirring, until tender, about 4-5 minutes.
Add the garlic to the vegetable mixture and cook, while stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Sprinkle the flour over the vegetable mixture and cook, while stirring, until the raw flour smell disappears, about 1 minute.
Add the chicken broth, the white beans, the ham, the bay leaf, the dried thyme, and the black pepper to the vegetable mixture and stir to combine.
Bring the soup mixture to a low boil.
Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer the soup mixture, while stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld together, about 15-20 minutes.
Remove and discard the bay leaf.
Taste the soup for seasoning and add the salt, as needed.
Serve garnished with the fresh thyme.