Ham Kale White Bean (Printer-friendly)

Hearty mix of ham, white beans, and kale simmered in a flavorful broth for a comforting meal.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb cooked ham, diced

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 4 cups chopped kale, stems removed
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Beans & Legumes

07 - 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

→ Liquids

08 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 cup water

→ Herbs & Spices

10 - 1 bay leaf
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, optional
14 - Salt to taste

→ Oils

15 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften.
02 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in diced ham and cook for 2 minutes.
04 - Add cannellini beans, chicken broth, water, bay leaf, thyme, black pepper, and smoked paprika if using. Bring to a boil.
05 - Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.
06 - Add chopped kale and simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes until kale is tender and flavors meld.
07 - Taste and season with salt as needed. Remove bay leaf before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in less than an hour, which means you can have dinner on the table before the sun sets in winter.
  • The combination of creamy beans, smoky ham, and bright kale feels luxurious without any fussing or complicated techniques.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, so you're not sacrificing flavor for dietary needs.
02 -
  • Don't rush the initial vegetable cooking step—those five to six minutes are when you're building the actual taste of your soup, not just combining ingredients.
  • Add the kale at the very end, not at the beginning, or it turns into a bitter shadow of itself instead of a fresh, tender component.
03 -
  • Don't skip draining and rinsing the canned beans—it removes the starchy liquid that can make the soup feel gummy instead of clean and bright.
  • If you have time, use fresh thyme instead of dried—strip the leaves off the stems and add them with the garlic for a more delicate, herbaceous finish.
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