Hearty Navy Bean Soup! Like a warm hug on a chilly day, Hearty Navy Bean Soup has been comforting hungry souls for generations. You’ll find this humble dish is remarkably simple to make, yet it packs a flavorful punch that’ll have your family scraping their bowls clean. With just five ingredients and minimal prep time, you’re about to discover why this budget-friendly classic has stood the test of time – and how you can master it in your own kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned home chef, you’ll find this Hearty Navy Bean Soup recipe incredibly rewarding and foolproof to make. With just five basic ingredients, you’ll create a hearty, soul-warming meal that tastes like it came from grandma’s kitchen.
This classic Hearty Navy Bean Soup recipe proves that simple ingredients and patience can create the most comforting, homestyle flavors.
You’ll appreciate how the slow-cooking process does all the heavy lifting for you – just set it and forget it while the beans transform into creamy perfection. The ham hock infuses deep, rich flavor throughout the broth without any extra seasoning needed.
Best of all, you’ll love how budget-friendly this recipe is, stretching one pound of dried beans into multiple satisfying meals. Plus, the leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors continue developing overnight!
What You Will Need for Hearty Navy Bean Soup
The essentials for this classic Hearty Navy Bean Soup come together with just five simple ingredients you’ll find at any grocery store.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound dried navy beans
- 1 large ham hock
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
You’ll also want to have these kitchen tools ready:
- Large soup pot with lid
- Colander for rinsing beans
- Large bowl for overnight soaking
- Wooden spoon for stirring
- Basic measuring spoons
Don’t worry if your ham hock isn’t perfectly sized – anything between 12-16 ounces will work just fine!
Remember to check your pantry before shopping, as you might already have the salt and pepper on hand.
Cooking Steps for Hearty Navy Bean Soup
You’ll start by sorting and soaking your beans overnight, which helps remove any debris and reduces cooking time.
Next, you’ll combine the drained beans with your ham hock and diced onion in a large pot – don’t worry if it looks a bit crowded at first!
Finally, you’ll let everything simmer together for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally until the beans are tender and the soup has developed that classic, rich consistency.
step 1. Sort Beans Before Soaking
Spread dried navy beans across a light-colored surface to begin the essential sorting process.
You’ll need to carefully inspect each bean, removing any small stones, broken pieces, or discolored beans that might’ve snuck into the bag. Even the most reliable brands can have these unwanted hitchhikers!
Move the beans around with your fingers, creating small sections to examine thoroughly. Look for beans that are wrinkled, misshapen, or notably darker than the others – these won’t cook evenly and should be discarded.
Once you’re confident you’ve removed all debris, transfer the good beans to a colander. Give them a quick rinse under cool running water, checking one final time for any missed debris before proceeding to the soaking step.
step 2. Soak Beans Overnight
After sorting your navy beans, place them in a large container or bowl with three times their volume in cold water.
You’ll want enough room for the beans to expand as they absorb moisture throughout the night.
Leave the beans to soak for 8-12 hours at room temperature (around 70°F).
Don’t worry if you get busy and let them soak a bit longer – they’re pretty forgiving!
During this time, you’ll notice the beans gradually plump up and double in size.
If you spot any beans floating on the surface, just remove them.
The soaking process helps reduce cooking time and makes the beans more digestible.
In the morning, drain the soaking water and rinse the beans thoroughly under cold running water before proceeding with your soup recipe.
step 3. Preparing the Ham Hock
Now that your beans are rinsed and ready, it’s time to focus on the ham hock – the ingredient that’ll give your soup its rich, smoky flavor.
Start by examining your ham hock for any excess fat or skin that you’d like to trim away. Rinse it under cool water and pat it dry with paper towels.
If you’re working with a larger ham hock (over 1 pound), you’ll want to score the outer surface in a crosshatch pattern to help release more flavor.
Place your prepared ham hock in the pot with your beans and onions. Make certain it’s fully submerged in the cooking liquid – this’ll guarantee even flavor distribution throughout your soup.
Don’t worry if it floats slightly; it’ll settle as it cooks and softens.
step 4. Simmer and Stir Periodically
Once your pot reaches a rolling boil, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer – you’ll want to see small bubbles breaking the surface every few seconds.
Cover the pot with a lid, but leave it slightly ajar to allow some steam to escape while retaining enough moisture.
You’ll need to stir the soup every 20-30 minutes to prevent the beans from sticking to the bottom. We want Hearty Navy Bean Soup here not burned soup.
Don’t worry if you’re a few minutes late with your stirring schedule – these beans are pretty forgiving!
As you stir, check the liquid level; it should always cover the beans by about an inch. If needed, add hot water to maintain this level.
After about 2 hours, test a few beans by squishing them against the pot’s side – they should be creamy inside with no chalky center.
step 5. Season and Serve Hot
The beans have reached their perfect tenderness, signaling the right moment to add those final flavor touches!
Now’s the time to stir in 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper, letting them simmer for an additional 15 minutes to meld the seasonings. This works great with Sea salt by the way.
Give your soup a taste test – you’ll want the broth to have a rich, savory flavor that’s not too salty. If needed, adjust your seasonings in small increments.
Once you’re satisfied with the taste, ladle the piping hot soup into bowls while it’s still steaming (around 165°F).
You’ll notice the broth has a creamy consistency that coats your spoon perfectly. For an extra touch, serve your navy bean soup with warm, crusty bread – it’s perfect for soaking up every last drop!
What To Pair With Hearty Navy Bean Soup
Since navy bean soup serves as a hearty main dish, you’ll want to complement it with lighter sides that balance its rich, creamy texture. A crisp green salad with vinaigrette dressing makes an ideal accompaniment, while warm, crusty sourdough bread is perfect for soaking up every last drop.
For a complete meal, consider serving your soup with classic Southern-style cornbread or fluffy buttermilk biscuits.
If you’re watching your carbs, try roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts or asparagus tossed with olive oil and garlic. A tangy coleslaw can add invigorating crunch, and pickle spears provide a zesty contrast to the soup’s subtle flavors.
Don’t forget about beverages – a crisp white wine or cold beer pairs wonderfully with this comforting dish!
Storage Suggestions for Hearty Navy Bean Soup
Properly storing your navy bean soup guarantees you’ll have delicious leftovers ready to enjoy throughout the week.
Once your soup has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to airtight containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top for expansion.
In the refrigerator, your soup will stay fresh for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze portions in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to 3 months.
Don’t forget to label containers with the date! When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen soup, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
During reheating, you might notice it’s thickened up – simply add warm water or broth until you reach your desired consistency.
Remember to stir occasionally while reheating to prevent sticking.
Well folks there you have it. We have give you the best recipe for Hearty Navy Bean Soup. And now its time to get into the kitchen and try our hand at this. If you make any changes to the recipe for Hearty Navy Bean Soup. Make sure to come back and tell us about it!
