Ham Cannellini Bean Soup (Printable Version)

A comforting blend of tender ham, creamy beans, and fresh herbs in a hearty, flavorful dish.

# 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 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
09 - 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped
10 - 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
11 - 1 bay leaf
12 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1/2 tsp salt, adjusted to taste

→ Other

14 - 2 tbsp olive oil

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.
02 - Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until vegetables are softened.
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 cannellini beans, broth, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine thoroughly.
06 - Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
07 - Remove bay leaf and stir in 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.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in just one hour, making it perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something that feels homemade.
  • The fresh herbs keep this from tasting like a canned soup, giving it brightness even in the coldest months.
  • There's enough protein here that it stands on its own as a main course without any fuss.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the canned beans or you'll end up with a murky broth instead of a clear, clean-tasting soup.
  • Fresh herbs added at the end taste completely different from ones cooked the whole time, so don't add them too early or they'll fade into the background.
03 -
  • Chop your vegetables roughly the same size so they finish cooking at the same time and create an even texture throughout the soup.
  • Keep a small bunch of fresh herbs on hand during the colder months because this soup will become a regular in your kitchen once you make it once.
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