Slow-Simmered Ham Hock and White Bean Soup

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Rich and hearty soup featuring tender ham hocks simmered with creamy white beans and aromatic vegetables for a comforting Southern-inspired meal. This southern-inspired soups ready in about 220 minutes pairs (about 1.5 lbs) smoked ham hocks, dried white beans, chicken stock for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Prep: 70 min Cook: 150 min Serves 6 Southern cuisine 350 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried white beans under cold water and soak in warm water for 1 hour, then drain.
  2. Step 2: In a large pot, add 2 smoked ham hocks, 6 cups chicken stock, 1 chopped medium yellow onion, 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 bay leaves, and 2 fresh thyme sprigs. Bring to a boil over high heat.
  3. Step 3: Add the soaked and drained white beans to the pot. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 2 to 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and the ham hocks are fall-off-the-bone tender.
  4. Step 4: Remove the ham hocks and bay leaves from the pot. Shred the meat from the ham hocks, discarding bones and skin, then return the meat to the soup.
  5. Step 5: Season the soup with 1 tsp black pepper and kosher salt to taste. Simmer an additional 10 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before ladling into bowls to serve.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Ham Hock and White Bean Soup take to make?

Total time is about 220 minutes (70 min prep + 150 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 Slow-Simmered Ham Hock and White Bean Soup?

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 white beans from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Ham Hock and White Bean Soup?

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 Slow-Simmered Ham Hock and White Bean Soup 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 Slow-Simmered Ham Hock and White Bean Soup?

Southern 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.

Related recipes