Heirloom Bean & Smoked Ham Stew
A comforting, slow-simmered stew featuring dried heirloom beans and smoky ham, perfect for cool evenings. Inspired by vintage estate pantry finds. This american-inspired soups ready in about 165 minutes pairs dried heirloom beans, (8 oz) piece smoked ham hock, medium, diced carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried heirloom beans
- 1 (8 oz) piece smoked ham hock
- 2 medium, diced carrot
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse beans under cold water and pick out any debris; place in a large pot with 6 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour until beans are tender.
- Step 2: While beans cook, heat a small skillet over medium heat and add ham hock; cook for 3 minutes until edges crisp, then transfer to a bowl.
- Step 3: In the same pot, add onion, carrot, and celery; sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add garlic and thyme, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 4: Add broth, ham hock, bay leaves, salt, and pepper to the pot. Return to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 30 minutes until flavors meld.
- Step 5: Remove ham hock, shred meat from bone, and return to pot. Discard bay leaves. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to thicken slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Heirloom Bean & Smoked Ham Stew take to make?
Total time is about 165 minutes (25 min prep + 140 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Heirloom Bean & Smoked Ham Stew?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep dried heirloom beans from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Heirloom Bean & Smoked Ham Stew?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Heirloom Bean & Smoked Ham Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Heirloom Bean & Smoked Ham Stew?
American soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Love how the American come through in every bite.
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
