A comforting, hearty soup with tender white beans and smoky ham hock — perfect for chilly days or anytime you crave soul-warming comfort food.
📝 Ingredients
1 large smoked ham hock
2 cups dried white beans (navy or cannellini), soaked overnight
1 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional: chopped parsley for garnish
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Beans
Drain soaked beans and rinse well. Set aside.
2️⃣ Cook the Ham Hock
In a large pot, cover ham hock with broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour to release flavor.
3️⃣ Add Vegetables & Beans
Add onions, carrots, celery, garlic, soaked beans, bay leaves, and thyme. Simmer gently for 1–1½ hours, until beans are tender and meat is falling off the ham hock.
4️⃣ Finish
Remove ham hock, shred the meat, and return meat to the soup. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove bay leaves before serving.
🍽️ Serve
Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve with crusty bread for a hearty meal.
