Virginia Ham and Bean Soup

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

A hearty soup featuring smoky Virginia ham, navy beans, and aromatic vegetables. This american-inspired soups (vegetarian-friendly) ready in about 75 minutes pairs Virginia country ham, navy beans, carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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: 15 min Cook: 60 min Serves 6 American cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 200g navy beans and soak overnight. In a large pot, sauté 1 finely chopped onion, 100g diced celery, and 150g diced carrots with 2 minced garlic cloves in 1 tbsp olive oil until softened.
  2. Step 2: Add 300g diced Virginia country ham and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the soaked navy beans, 1L vegetable broth, and 1 tsp thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour until the beans are tender.
  3. Step 3: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot, optionally garnished with chopped parsley or a slice of crusty bread.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Virginia Ham and Bean Soup take to make?

Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 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 Virginia Ham and 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 virginia country ham from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Virginia Ham and 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 Virginia Ham and 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.

Is Virginia Ham and Bean Soup vegetarian-friendly?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian-friendly based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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