HURST 15 BEAN SOUP

Hurst 15 Bean Soup is a hearty and nutritious dish that combines a variety of beans into a flavorful meal. This bean & ham soup recipe not only offers comfort but also packs a punch with its high protein and fiber content, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a filling and healthy option. 

Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends, hambeens 15 bean soup caters to diverse tastes and dietary needs. Cooking it is straightforward, allowing anyone to create a delicious bowl of soup without extensive culinary skills. If you are looking for budget-friendly meal that don’t compromise on taste, this 15 bean soup recipe is a reliable favorite that delivers both flavor and nourishment!

15 Bean Soup with Ham

One of our favorite things to do with leftover holiday hams is to turn that meat into soup (amongst other recipes like HAM & CHEESE BREAKFAST CASSEROLE). Hams are often pretty large so even with all of us eating, there are plenty of leftovers for meals, making it one of our favorite ways to stretch the budget and really get our monies worth.

This soup is loaded with hearty beans, flavorful meat, and healthy veggies like carrots, onions, tomatoes, and celery. There are also plenty of seasonings and spices too, so this soup is very well rounded. Don’t be surprised if you go back for a second or third bowl full!

Preparation and Cooking Tips for Bean Soup

Proper preparation and cooking enhance the flavors of Hurst 15 bean soup. Attention to ingredient selection, soaking methods, and cooking techniques is essential for achieving the best results.

• Ingredient Selection: Choosing quality ingredients is crucial. Start with Hurst’s 15 bean soup mix, which includes a variety of beans, such as navy, pinto, and kidney. Look for beans with vibrant colors and no signs of damage. Fresh herbs and vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery add depth. Adding meat, such as ham hocks or bacon, can enhance the flavor further. Ensure any stock or broth used is low in sodium to better control seasoning.
• Soaking Methods: Soaking beans helps improve texture and reduces cooking time. The traditional method involves soaking beans overnight in cold water; this is ideal for fully hydrated beans. For a quicker option, a hot soak is effective: boil beans for 2-3 minutes and let them sit for an hour. Rinse and drain the beans after soaking to remove excess starch.
• Cooking Techniques: Incorporating the right cooking techniques ensures a flavorful soup. First, sauté vegetables in olive oil to enhance sweetness. Afterward, add the soaked beans, cover with broth, and bring to a boil. For best results, reduce heat and simmer for at least one hour, or until beans are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Season gradually, testing as it cooks to achieve the desired flavor balance.

15 Beans Soup Ingredients

Beans: The base of this soup is one 20-oz package of Hurst HamBeens Cajun 15 Bean Soup Blend plus the Cajun seasoning packet. If you haven’t heard of this blend, check out this link.

Oil: Use 2 tablespoons of olive oil to cook the veggies in.

Onion: You need 1 diced onion, white or yellow onion, depending on what you have on hand or what you prefer.

Carrots: Adding 3 large carrots that have been peeled and diced, gives this dish color and nutrition too.

Celery: 3 stalks of diced celery will add some fresh taste to this soup.

Garlic: Using 4 cloves of minced garlic gives this dish even more delicious flavor.

Chicken broth: The liquid base of this recipe is 6 cups of reduced-sodium chicken broth.

Ham: You need 1 ½ – 2 cups of leftover ham that has been cut into small cubes or shredded. Hambone, leftover ham, ham steaks, and andouille sausage all work well in this recipe.

Pepper: Season the soup nicely with 1 teaspoon of freshly cracked black pepper.

Thyme: Add in 4 sprigs of fresh thyme. Don’t have fresh thyme on hand? No problem, you can use 1 teaspoon of dried thyme.

Bay leaves: To flavor the soup well, use 2 dried bay leaves.

Soy sauce: Use 2 tablespoons of soy sauce for a depth of flavor. You can omit the soy sauce if your ham is already very salty.

Tomatoes: Give this soup more veggies by adding one 14.5-ounce sized can of diced tomatoes.

How to make Hurst 15 Bean Soup

Soak Beans

Start by taking the Cajun seasoning packet out of the bag of beans and set it aside for later use.

Then pour the beans into a large bowl and add in enough water to cover the beans. Allow them to soak for 8 hours or overnight.

When you are ready to make the soup, drain the beans and set them aside until they are ready to be used.

Sauté Veggies

Place a large, heavy-bottomed pot on the stove over medium-high heat and add in the olive oil.

While the oil is heating up, dice and chop the onions, carrots, and celery into bite sized pieces. Transfer the vegetables to the pot and sauté them for 6-8 minutes or until they begin to soften.

After that add in the minced garlic and stir for another minute or until fragrant.

Assemble soup

Proceed to add in the chicken broth and the leftover ham (chopped into bite sized chunks) into the pot with the veggies.

Also add the black pepper, drained beans, thyme sprigs, bay leaves, soy sauce, Cajun seasoning packet, and diced tomatoes.

Stir all the ingredients together and bring the mixture to a boil.

Then reduce the heat and allow the soup to simmer for 1 ½ hours or until the beans are soft.

Be sure to remove and discard the bay leaf and thyme sprigs from the soup, those are intended for flavor only and not to be consumed.

Serve

Serve your soup in a single serving bowl, with a side of cornbread or sliced bread with butter, enjoy!

Crockpot Instructions

If you want to make this soup in the crockpot, that is a great idea too! Start by soaking the beans overnight per the instruction above. Once you are ready to make the soup, add all of the ingredients into your crockpot. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 6 hours. This is a great option for a busy weeknight meal, you can get it started in the morning and come home to a delicious meal later on.  

Can I freeze ham bean soup?

This soup freezes beautifully. Once the soup is at room temperature, pour it into a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Once you’re ready to eat it, let the soup thaw in the fridge overnight and heat in a saucepan on the stove or in a bowl in the microwave until hot. 

Can you suggest the best variations of 15 bean soup recipes?

There are numerous delicious variations of 15 bean soup. Some popular options include adding diced tomatoes for acidity, utilizing smoked sausage for flavor, or incorporating vegetables like carrots and celery for added nutrition. Vegetarian versions can feature mushrooms or lentils as protein alternatives.

What is included in the seasoning packet of Hurst 15 Bean Soup?

The seasoning packet typically includes a blend of salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and various spices. This combination enhances the flavor profile of the beans and creates a well-rounded taste. Some packets may also contain a touch of cayenne pepper for heat.

Are there any health benefits associated with 15 bean soup?

15 bean soup offers several health benefits. Beans are a great source of protein, fiber, and essential vitamins. Regular consumption can aid digestion, support heart health, and help manage blood sugar levels, making it a nutritious choice for many diets.

What are the beans in the 15-bean package?

According to the Hurst Beans website, the package contains 15 of these bean varieties: northern, pinto, large lima, yelloweye, garbanzo, baby lima, green split, kidney, cranberry, small white, pink, small red, yellow split, lentil, navy, white kidney, and black bean.

Why do I need to soak the beans?

It is an optional step, but it will speed up the cooking time and break down some of the complex sugars in the beans. If you decide to make this in the crockpot instead of on the stove, you can skip the soaking process as they will cook for 8 hours in the crockpot.

It’s soup and stew season. Try more soup recipes here:

• CREAMY TOMATO SOUP WITH TORTELLINI
• MEATBALL STEW
• OLIVE GARDEN CHICKEN GNOCCHI SOUP
• SLOW COOKER POOR MAN’S HAMBURGER STEW
• THREE CHEESE SOUP
• TORTILLA SOUP WITH BLACK BEANS
• CHICKEN ALFREDO SOUP
• BEST SLOW COOKER BEEF STEW
• ZUCCHINI SAUSAGE SOUP
• COPYCAT CHICK-FIL-A CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP
• EASY PUMPKIN SOUP
• PASTA FAGIOLI RECIPE
• SUMMER VEGETABLE STEW
• LASAGNA SOUP
• SLOW COOKER FRENCH ONION SOUP
• 20-MINUTE CHICKEN STEW RECIPE
• CHEESY BROCCOLI POTATO SOUP

Hurst 15 bean soup is a sensational dish with amazing flavors & packed with fiber and protein. This bean & ham soup recipe is perfect for leftover ham & makes a lovely meal on a cold winter’s day.