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Hearty Ham Soup

Savory ham, tender vegetables, and rich broth come together in this simple yet filling soup to make a dish that feels like a big, cozy hug in a bowl. This soup is a great way to stretch ingredients and get the family together around the table, whether you're using leftover holiday ham or a fresh ham bone.
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Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Soup
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 lb bacon chopped
  • 1 ham bone from leftover ham
  • 1 –2 cups leftover ham cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 lb dried great northern beans rinsed and sorted
  • 1 large head of cabbage sliced
  • 5 large Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and cubed

Method
 

Prep the beans:
  1. Rinse the dried great northern beans thoroughly, removing any debris or damaged beans. Soak them overnight or use a quick-soak method by boiling them for 5 minutes and letting them sit for 1 hour before draining.
Cook the bacon:
  1. In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pot.
Add ham bone & beans:
  1. Add the ham bone and soaked beans to the pot with the bacon fat. Cover with water — about 10 cups or enough to submerge everything. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender.
Add potatoes and cabbage:
  1. Once beans are nearly tender, add the peeled and cubed Yukon Gold potatoes and sliced cabbage to the pot. Also add the bite-sized leftover ham pieces. Continue to simmer for another 30-40 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Season & finish:
  1. Remove the ham bone from the soup. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Stir in the cooked bacon pieces.
Serve:
  1. Ladle hot soup into bowls and enjoy the hearty, comforting flavors!
  2. Enjoy!