Hearty, smoky, and deeply comforting – a classic old-fashioned soup
🕒 Prep Time
15 minutes
🔥 Cook Time
2½–3 hours
🍲 Servings
6–8 servings
🧾 Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) dried white beans (navy, great northern, or cannellini)
- 1 large smoked ham hock
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt, to taste (add at the end)
- 8 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
- Optional: fresh parsley for garnish
