Step 1: Soak the Beans
Rinse the dried beans and remove any damaged beans or debris.
Cover with plenty of cold water and soak overnight (8–12 hours).
Drain and rinse before cooking.
Quick Soak Option: Boil the beans for 2 minutes, remove from the heat, cover, and let sit for 1 hour before draining.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, sauté the onion, carrots, and celery over medium heat for about 5–6 minutes until softened.
Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
Step 3: Add the Remaining Ingredients
Stir in:
Soaked beans
Ham hocks
Chicken broth
Bay leaves
Thyme
Black pepper
Smoked paprika (if using)
Bring to a boil.
Step 4: Simmer
Reduce the heat to low.
Cover and simmer for 2½–3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and the ham is falling off the bone.
Step 5: Shred the Ham
Remove the ham hocks from the pot.
When cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones and discard the skin, bones, and excess fat.
Chop or shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
Return the ham to the soup.
Step 6: Finish the Soup
Discard the bay leaves.
Taste and add salt if needed (the ham hocks are naturally salty, so wait until the end before seasoning).
For a thicker soup, mash about 1 cup of the beans against the side of the pot and stir them back in.
Stir in the chopped parsley.
Step 7: Serve
Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot with:
Crusty bread
Cornbread
Biscuits
Buttered toast
A fresh green salad
Tips for the Best Bean Soup
Soaking the beans helps them cook more evenly and may reduce cooking time.
Smoked ham hocks provide deep, rich flavor—don’t skip them if possible.
Leftover holiday ham works well in place of some of the ham hock meat.
For a little heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop.
Nutrition (Per Serving, Approximate)
Calories: 340
Protein: 24g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fat: 13g
Fiber: 9g
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 680mg
This bean and ham hock soup is a timeless comfort meal that’s filling, flavorful, and budget-friendly. With tender beans, smoky ham, and aromatic vegetables simmered together, it’s the kind of hearty soup that warms you from the inside out.
