Why You’ll Love this Cozy Ham and Bean
Comfort in a bowl. That’s what my grandma’s ham and bean recipe delivers on those days when nothing else will do. The tender navy beans slowly simmering with that meaty ham bone create a rich, hearty dish that’ll warm you from the inside out.
Don’t you just love recipes that make your home smell amazing for hours?
The beauty lies in its simplicity—humble ingredients transforming into something magical. Those bits of ham nestled among creamy beans, all coming together with minimal effort.
Perfect with a slice of cornbread for sopping up every last drop.
What Ingredients are in Cozy Ham and Bean?
Grandma’s ham and bean soup relies on simple, wholesome ingredients that combine to create something truly magical. The star of the show is definitely that meaty ham bone, which infuses the broth with smoky, savory goodness as it simmers away.
Navy beans provide the hearty base, while the aromatics build a foundation of flavor that makes this soup so comforting. Can you already imagine the aroma filling your kitchen?
- 1 pound dried navy beans
- 6 cups cold water (for soaking)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 onions, chopped well
- 1 carrot, chopped well
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups cold water (for cooking)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 meaty ham bone (from baked ham)
- Salt and pepper to taste
When shopping for these ingredients, the quality of your ham bone makes all the difference.
Try to use one from a recently baked ham with plenty of meat still clinging to it—those bits will fall off during cooking and create perfect little treasures throughout your soup.
And while navy beans are traditional, great northern beans work beautifully too if that’s what you have in your pantry. The beauty of grandma’s recipes is their flexibility, don’t you think?
Just remember, dried beans need that overnight soak, so a little planning goes a long way.
How to Make this Cozy Ham and Bean
Making Grandma’s ham and bean soup starts with a bit of prep work that pays off in incredible flavor. Begin by washing and sorting through 1 pound of dried navy beans, removing any small stones or damaged beans. Place them in a large stockpot and cover with 6 cups of cold water for an overnight soak.
Don’t have that kind of time? You can speed things up using your crockpot on high for about 3 hours, just keep an eye on the water level. Once your beans have soaked, drain them thoroughly, give them a good rinse, and drain again.
Now for the flavor-building stage. Heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in your stockpot over medium-high heat, then add 2 well-chopped onions, 1 chopped carrot, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Using a premium roasting pan can help distribute heat more evenly during this crucial cooking stage. Can you smell that amazing aroma already? Cook these aromatics for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until the onions become translucent and tender.
Add your prepared beans back to the pot along with 6 cups of fresh cold water and 1 bay leaf. Bring everything to a full boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, cover, and let cook for an hour. This is when the magic really begins—add that meaty ham bone to the pot, cover again, and simmer for 2 more hours.
The beans will soften, the broth will thicken, and that ham bone will release all its savory goodness into every spoonful.
For the finishing touches, fish out the bay leaf and discard it. Then remove the ham bone, cut away all that tender meat that’s practically falling off by now, chop it into bite-sized pieces, and return it to the pot.
Season with salt and pepper to taste—though you might find the ham provides enough saltiness already. For the full grandma experience, serve this soul-warming soup with a piece of freshly baked cornbread on the side. The way the cornbread soaks up that rich, savory broth? Pure comfort in a bowl.
If you want to make this recipe even more efficiently, consider using an Italian stand mixer to quickly prepare your cornbread batter while the soup simmers.
Cozy Ham and Bean Substitutions and Variations
While traditional recipes stand the test of time, don’t be afraid to put your own spin on this classic ham and bean soup with these simple substitutions.
Great northern beans work beautifully if navy beans aren’t in your pantry. No ham bone? Try smoked turkey legs or even bacon for that savory depth.
Vegetarians can skip the meat entirely and add a splash of liquid smoke, maybe some diced mushrooms for umami. Toss in kale during the last 10 minutes for color and nutrition.
Love spice? A pinch of red pepper flakes or smoked paprika transforms the flavor profile completely.
What to Serve with Cozy Ham and Bean
Every bowl of ham and bean soup practically begs for the perfect accompaniment to round out your meal.
Cornbread is my top recommendation—its slightly sweet crumbliness works magic against the savory broth. Trust me, you’ll want something to soak up all that delicious liquid.
A simple green salad with vinaigrette brings welcome freshness, cutting through the richness of the beans and ham.
For bread lovers, a crusty sourdough or warm dinner rolls work beautifully too.
Want something extra? Try pickled vegetables on the side. The tangy crunch offers a lovely contrast to the soft, comforting texture of your soup.
Final Thoughts
This timeless ham and bean recipe has become my absolute favorite for so many reasons beyond just its incredible flavor.
The gentle simmer fills your home with aromas that whisper comfort, while that meaty ham bone does magic things to those humble navy beans.
Why do simple ingredients create such profound satisfaction?
Maybe it’s the slow transformation that happens as everything melds together, or perhaps it’s the way each steaming bowlful connects us to generations past.
Just like Mexican street corn achieves the perfect balance of flavors with its Cotija cheese coating, this soup finds harmony in simplicity.
Whatever makes it special, I hope it brings warmth to your table, too.
Some traditions are worth keeping, don’t you think?
