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Easy White Bean and Ham

White Bean and Ham Soup is a hearty, satisfying soup with a mix of savory, salty, smoky, and sweet flavors. If you're looking for a creative leftover ham recipe, this hearty soup is a must try. One comforting bowl is a great starter or a full meal on its own.

A bowl of white bean and ham soup on a plate set on a wicker placemat with a spoon to the side.

This Ham and White Bean Soup is a beginner-friendly soup and fast to make since we're using canned beans. With plenty of protein and fiber, this is a healthy, family-friendly meal that you’ll want to keep in your regular rotation.

If you love bean soup recipes, try my Instant Pot Navy Bean Soup and vegetarian forward Pumpkin White Bean Soup next!  

Why This Ham and White Bean Soup Recipe Rocks!


  • Crowd Favorite: Both adults and kids love the flavors in this bean and ham soup.
  • Healthy and Nourishing: This ham and white bean soup is made from scratch using minimally processed ingredients for a tasty ham soup that's filling and satisfying.
  • Easy to Make: In less than an hour, you can have this tasty soup ready to go.

For more easy, creamy soups, try this savory Marry Me Soup and Creamy Turkey Barley Soup too!

Ingredients + Substitutions

Ingredients to make ham and bean soup on the table before preparing.
  • Olive Oil: Olive oil is used to saute the onion, carrot, and celery. You could also use avocado oil, coconut oil, or any other neutral oil you enjoy cooking with.
  • Yellow Onion, Carrot, and Celery: These classic mirepoix veggies give the soup base tons of flavor and nutrition.
  • Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds some savory complexity to this bean soup recipe. Add extra if you’re a garlic lover!
  • Seasonings: Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and bay leaf complement the ham and bean flavors. If you don't have Italian seasoning, you can use dried basil and oregano.
  • Tomato Paste: Two tablespoons of tomato paste from the can is enough to bring acidity and a little tanginess to the ham and bean soup.
  • Chicken Broth: I used regular chicken broth but you could also use low-sodium if you want. If you want to make the base of your soup from scratch, try my Rotisserie Chicken Stock or Homemade Turkey Stock!
  • White Beans: You can use any type of white bean in this ham and white bean soup recipe to give it a creamy texture and nutty flavor. I love cannellini beans, northern beans, and navy beans for this recipe. You will want to drain and rinse the beans.
  • Ham: This soup is a great way to use up leftover ham, or you could get a ham steak and dice it up. If you have a leftover ham bone, add it to the soup and let it cook in there for added flavor. Ham hocks and pork shank would also work. The pork adds a lot of rich, meaty, smoky flavor to this wholesome soup.
  • Half and Half: Half and half gives this soup an amazing creaminess. You can also substitute coconut milk for a dairy-free option. If you want an even more intense flavor, you could also use heavy cream or coconut cream.
  • Cornstarch: Used to thicken the soup towards the end of the cooking time. 
  • Hot Sauce: It’s optional but if you like a little bit of spiciness, add 3 or 4 dashes of Tabasco or other Louisiana-style hot sauce.  

Check the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and quantities of each one.

How to Make White Bean and Ham Soup

Here’s how to make ham and white bean soup in just a few simple steps.

Onion, celery, and carrot in a Dutch oven to cook.

Step 1: Cook the Onions, Celery, and Carrots. Saute the veggies in the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook them until they’re softened, for around 8 minutes.  

Tomato paste, seasonings, and garlic added to the sauteed vegetables.

Step 2: Add the Tomato Paste and Seasonings. Now we're going to add the tomato paste, garlic, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika and let everything cook for one more minute. 

Beans, broth, and ham added to the pot with the cooked vegetables.

Step 3: Add More Ingredients. Add the bay leaf, chicken broth, white beans, and ham. Now let everything come to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 20-25 minutes.

Milk and cornstarch in a glass measuring pitcher with a whisk.

Step 4: Add the Cornstarch and Creamy Element to the Pot. Stir together the half and half or coconut milk and cornstarch and add it to the soup. It will help thicken the soup.

Seasonings added to the finished pot of ham bean soup.

Step 5: Season and Serve. The last step is to add the salt and pepper and hot sauce. Season the soup to your taste, then let it cook for five minutes longer to thicken. Serve and enjoy.

Handy Tip - Using Ham Hocks

If you’re using smoked ham hocks for this old fashioned ham and bean soup, score the thick skin with a knife before cooking. Once it’s done, the skin and extra fat will peel away easily, leaving you with the tender meat underneath. Just cut any meat you have into chunks and toss it back into the soup.

Alternate Cooking Methods

  • Instant Pot: This soup can be made in the Instant Pot. Use the saute setting to cook the onions, carrot, celery, and garlic. Add the tomato paste, garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, bay leaf, chicken broth, white beans, and ham to the pot and cook for 2 minutes more. Place the lid on top and seal the pressure valve. Cook on high pressure for 2-3 minutes. Allow it to release pressure naturally, then stir in the rest of the ingredients– cornstarch and half and half or coconut milk. Season to taste.
  • Slow Cooker: It’s easy to adjust this ham and bean soup with canned beans to be made in the crockpot. Saute the mirepoix veggies and garlic on the stove, then add them to the slow cooker along with all of the other ingredients besides the cornstarch and half and half or coconut cream. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add the cream and cornstarch.

Dietary Modifications & Variations

  • Broth-Based Soup: You can leave out the dairy or coconut milk if you prefer broth only.
  • Vegetarian: For a vegetarian version of the soup, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and replace the ham with smoked tempeh, smoked tofu, or plant-based sausage
  • Spicier: You can add red chili flake or chili powder to make the soup spicier. I also sometimes like to saute some jalapenos along with the other veggies at the start.
  • Add More Veggies: Kale or spinach wilted in the last few minutes of cooking are a great addition to this soup. Diced potatoes or sweet potatoes are also tasty if you want an even more filling soup.
A bowl of ham and white bean soup on a plate with a Dutch oven in the background.

Soup-er Toppings & Serving Suggestions

This easy white bean soup with ham is perfect for chilly days as a weeknight dinner, satisfying lunch, or as a starter at a winter gathering. You can also make this the day after a holiday or special occasion when you serve ham. Keep this ham and beans recipe in your rotation for an easy way to use up leftover ham after Christmas or Easter.

  • Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil, chopped fresh herbs, and grated cheese like pecorino Romano or Parmigiano Reggiano.
  • If you’re really hungry, have a bowl of ham soup with a prosciutto sandwich, grilled cheese sandwich, BLT, or any other simple sandwich and a simple green salad or kale salad.
  • Serve with goat cheese balls, these pumpkin cornbread muffins, fresh baked dairy-free biscuits, or crusty bread.

Storage Tips

  • Storing: Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The soup will thicken a bit while it sits so feel free to thin it with broth or water when you reheat it. You can also freeze it in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before freezing it.
  • Reheating: Let frozen leftovers thaw overnight in the fridge. Then reheat the dish on the stovetop or in the microwave on medium heat for 30-60 second intervals until it is heated through.

Expert Tips

  • Salt to Taste: Beans need plenty of salt to bring out their flavor, but ham provides a lot of salt so wait to add salt until the end of cooking time. You can adjust the salt level based on your personal preference.
  • Heavier Cream Element: You can use heavy cream or coconut cream for a more intense flavor. When using the coconut cream, you will need to remove a few tablespoons of liquid from the pot of soup and whisk the cornstarch into it and then stir it back into the soup along with the coconut cream.
  • Thickening the Soup: If you prefer to skip the cornstarch, you can mash some of the beans up into the soup to give it a creamier texture.

Recipe FAQs

Can you use leftover brown sugar ham for this soup?

Yes, cooked brown sugar ham would work well in this soup, whether or not it has a bone. You might want to add a little more spice to balance out the sweetness, but adjust the seasoning to your liking.

Can I use dried beans instead of canned for this white bean ham soup?

Yes, you can use dried beans instead of canned if you want. Cover them in water and soak them overnight before adding them to the soup. Soaked beans will cook faster and are easier to digest.

A spoonful of bean and ham soup held up over the bowl.

More Amazing Main Dish Soup Recipes

Did you try this soup recipe? Please leave a 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating if you loved it and your comments below! For more recipes, you can follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

White bean and ham soup in a bowl on a plate with a spoon to the side.

Smoky White Bean and Ham Soup

White Bean and Ham Soup is a rustic, warming soup with Southern-style, rich, smoky flavor. The creamy beans, salty ham, and creamy tomato soup base are so delicious together! Plus, this recipe is very hands-off.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: ham and bean soup, white bean and ham soup
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 -6 servings
Calories: 499kcal
Author: Lyn Croyle

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or other neutral vegetable oil
  • ½ yellow onion diced small, about 1 cup
  • 1 medium carrot sliced thin, about 1 cup
  • 1 rib celery sliced thin
  • 3-4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 15-ounce cans white beans such as cannellini beans, northern beans, or navy beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup diced ham steak or leftover ham
  • ½ cup half and half or coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 3-4 dashes hot sauce optional (Tabasco or other Louisiana-style hot sauce)
  • salt taste before adding (you may or not need it)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Fresh parsley chopped for garnish optional

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add onions, celery, and carrots and cook until softened, about 8 minutes. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and tomato paste, cook one minute longer.
  • Add the bay leaf, chicken broth, white beans, and ham to the pot. Bring to a boil, cover with a lid, reduce heat to low, and cook for 20-25 minutes.
  • Stir together half and half or coconut milk and cornstarch. Stir into soup, add hot sauce, salt and pepper, and cook for five minutes longer to thicken.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Recipe Tips

  • This soup is perfect for leftover ham or you can add a ham hock for extra flavor. The smoky flavor adds richness to the dish.
  • Ham is naturally salty, so wait until the end of cooking to taste and adjust the salt. You may find you don't need to add any at all.
  • Stir in kale or spinach during the last few minutes of cooking for an easy way to add more veggies and color.
  • For a creamier texture without cornstarch, mash some of the beans directly in the pot.
  • For a dairy-free option, swap half and half for coconut milk or coconut cream.
  • If you want it a little more spicy, add a pinch of red chili flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 499kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 1404mg | Potassium: 1576mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2962IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 265mg | Iron: 9mg
Pin for pinterest graphic with images of ham and bean soup with text on top.

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