Rustic Ham Hock and Bean Soup Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours

This Rustic Ham Hock and Bean Soup is a hearty and satisfying dish perfect for chilly days. Combining tender beans with flavorful ham hock, this soup is a classic comfort food that warms you from the inside out.

The recipe is straightforward and utilizes basic cooking techniques, making it accessible for home cooks. It’s an excellent choice for those looking to create a delicious soup that is both filling and nutritious.

Hearty Ham Hock and Bean Soup

This soup features a rich broth made from simmering ham hock with beans, vegetables, and herbs. The recipe takes about 2 hours from start to finish and serves 6 people.

Ingredients

1 ham hock (about 1 pound)
1 cup dried white beans (such as Great Northern or cannellini), soaked overnight
1 medium onion, chopped
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Beans: Soak the dried beans overnight in water. Drain and rinse before using.
Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, heat a little oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté until softened (about 5-7 minutes).
Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Combine Ingredients: Add the soaked beans, ham hock, broth, thyme, and bay leaf to the pot. Bring to a boil.
Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender and the ham is falling off the bone.
Shred Ham: Remove the ham hock from the pot, let it cool slightly, then shred the meat from the bone and return it to the soup.
Season: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley if desired.