How To Make The Pioneer Woman Ham and Bean Soup Recipe

Anne Marie Drummond, a.k.a. Ree, is an American author, photographer, food blogger, and television personality. She lives with her family in Oklahoma on a working ranch, often the setting for her many TV cooking shows.

Drummond made her debut in 2010 on television when she participated in a special Thanksgiving episode of Throwdown! with Bobby Flay. In fact, Bobby Flay traveled to the ranch in Oklahoma for the cooking throwdown event. Her debut was filmed in Drummond’s home, where she beat Bobby Flay in a tightly contested event. A fellow Oklahoma resident and well-known music artist – Trisha Yearwood, was one of the throwdown’s judges for this close contest.

Ree Drummond has also authored numerous books – from cookbooks to children’s books. Drummond has launched a line of lifestyle products that include cookware and cutlery for the kitchen, plus outdoor living and clothing options that are marketed under her TV Show’s moniker – The Pioneer Woman.

Ree’s recipes are celebrated by her millions of fans. The ham and bean soup recipe from the Pioneer Woman is among her fan’s favorites.

Getting Ready to Make The Pioneer Woman Ham and Bean Soup

The Pioneer Woman’s ham and bean soup eats like a meal. It is satisfying and filled to the brim with flavor. This delicious and warm meal can be prepared faster than you’d think because the beans do not have to be soaked before cooking.

The delicious soup can be cooked in a large pot, Dutch oven, or a slow cooker.

• Preparation Time – 15 minutes.
• Cooking Time – 60 – 75 minutes.
• Servings – 10

The Ingredients Used to Make The Pioneer Woman Ham and Bean Soup Recipe

The ham and bean soup is excellent if you intend to feed lots of hungry friends and family. In addition, it is inexpensive and not overly complicated to make.

As a head’s up, remember to use a smoked ham hock and not fresh ham, as the smokiness of the soup is the basis of its deep and rich flavor. The good news is that most supermarket chains sell smoked ham hocks – check the section that sells bacon and sausage, and then ask because the location of the smoked ham hock changes depending on the store. The ingredients to make this hearty ham and bean soup include –

• 1 Tablespoon of Butter.
• 1 Cup of Diced Celery.
• 1 Cup of Diced Onion.
• 1 Cup of Diced Carrots.
• 1 Tablespoon of Minced Fresh Garlic.
• 6 Cups of Low-Sodium Chicken Broth.
  Pro-tip – Because ham hocks have high sodium levels, it is best to stick with low-sodium broth, and don’t be afraid to substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth. Remember, you can always adjust the seasoning at the end of the cooking process.
• 3 Cans of White Beans – Drained & Rinsed – which is equivalent to about 5 ¼ cups.
  Pro-tip – For those who prefer another type of bean, consider Great Northern beans, Cannellini beans, or even Navy/Yankee beans for a flavor twist.
• Leaves From 2 Sprigs of Fresh Thyme.
• 1 ½ Lb. of Smoked Ham Hock.
• 1 Dried Bay Leaf – a bay leaf can impart a flavor to the soup that makes it taste as if it has been cooking for many hours.

Suggested Toppings & Garnishments for this Pioneer Woman Ham and Bean Soup Recipe

For a splash of flavor, consider finishing the soup with chopped fresh parsley or thyme for garnish. To add some heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes before serving.

Cooking Instructions for The Pioneer Woman Ham and Bean Soup

1. Begin by melting the one tablespoon of butter in a large soup pot or a Dutch oven on medium to high heat.
2. Add the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic to the melted butter.
3. Stir until these vegetables are tender but crisp. This should take about 5 minutes.
4. Then, add the chicken broth, your choice of beans, thyme leaves, and the smoked ham hock.
5. Continue to stir these added ingredients until everything is evenly distributed.
6. Bring this ham and bean base to a boil.
7. Cover the saucepan while reducing the heat to low.
8. Keep the soup at a simmer for about an hour.
9. Remove the bay leaf.
10. Take the ham hock out of the soup pot and place it on a cutting board. Cut the ham hock meat away from the bone and discard the rest.
11. Break up the ham into to bite size pieces and throw them back into the soup.
12. Simmer for a few minutes until heated throughout.
13. Before serving, you can sprinkle chopped parsley or thyme in each bowl.

FAQs

What are Some Serving Suggestions for side dishes?

The Pioneer Woman Ham and Bean Soup easily pairs with a variety of side dishes. Many people think cornbread, garlic knots, ciabatta, cheesy bread, or a loaf of crusty bread is the perfect side dish. Still, others love to pair the ham and bean soup –

• These Hot Side Suggestions
  • Roasted Root Vegetables.
  • Coconut or Cauliflower Fried Rice.
  • Sweet Potato Fries.
  • Garlic Spaghetti.
  • Collard Greens.
• These Cold Side Suggestions
  • Red Potato Salad.
  • Broccoli Salad.

What kind of Beans Can Be used for this Ham and Bean Soup?

As noted above, this ham and bean soup recipe works great with most kinds of beans. Remember, because the beans you purchase cannot need soaking, they provide a shortcut/benefit that cuts down on the cooking time.

Can this Ham And Bean Soup Be Successfully Frozen?

One of the great aspects of this delicious and warming ham and bean soup is that it freezes really well, so if you have leftovers, let them cool and freeze them for another evening meal or starter dish. Freezing is a method of preservation, and this soup happens to freeze well if you take the time to properly preserve/freeze the soup – at the recommended temperature – 0 degrees Fahrenheit. If stored appropriately, the soup will taste as good as the day it was made for up to four months.

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