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Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Ham Bone Soup with White Beans, Sweet Potatoes and Kale

Soup is like a blank canvas! Ham Bone Soup with White Beans Sweet Potatoes and Kale came about cooking with what I had on hand. Sometimes the most delicious recipes come from cooking from the pantry. Like this one!

A big pot of soup is a worthy investment of your time and the ingredients used to create it. 

Plus, a pot of soup does not need a great deal of meat, making it a frugal solution for those times the budget needs a helping hand. And soup is the perfect way to get lots of vegetables into the family. And who doesn't love to use up that Ham bone from a big meal with family? I know we sure do, there are times I wish the ham had two bones, so I could have one, and so could my daughter. We each love to make soup, and a ham bone is coveted around here!

Ham Bone Soup with White Beans Sweet Potatoes and Kale is one of the soups I make on regular rotation. Smokey ham broth, tender sweet potato chunks, creamy beans, and tender kale ladled up in a steamy bowl of comfort food. Yes, this recipe makes a lot, but it freezes perfectly which will come in handy for future meals on those busy days ahead. If you do not have a meaty ham bone, no worries. Two or three meaty ham hocks are a delicious substitute. 

To be honest we are not big fans of cooked kale as a side dish. 

But I have found that a pot of soup is exactly the right place for kale. As a matter of fact, it is hard not to like the soft silky texture from cooking in the ham broth. It turns out that kale in this pot of Ham Bone Soup with White Beans, Sweet Potatoes, and Kale is just right.  If your family prefers, feel free to use the entire bunch of kale, because more vegetables is always a good idea!

Some additional thoughts on this recipe:

A "bunch" of any green leafy vegetable can vary from store to store and season to season. And kale is no different. You will want enough chopped kale to pack into a two cup measure. 

If you prefer yams over sweet potatoes, no problem. You will want that slightly sweet vegetable to add depth of flavor to the broth. 


Ingredients needed for this recipe:
  • ham bone or ham hocks
  • white beans
  • sweet potatoes
  • garlic
  • kale
  • salt
  • pepper
  • tomatoes
  • onions 
  • celery
  • bay leaves
  • thyme
You will also need the following:
  • large stockpot with lid
  • kitchen knife
  • cutting board
  • measuring spoons
  • measuring cups
  • large wooden spoon
Now we are ready to begin!


Ham Bone Soup with White Beans Sweet Potatoes and Kale


Ham Bone Soup with White Beans Sweet Potatoes and Kale
by the seat of my pants!
UPDATED 12.28.2023

1 meaty ham bone, or 2 - 3 meaty ham hocks
1 pound of white beans, pre-soaked or quick soaked
1 large onion, diced
2-3 ribs celery diced
1 16 oz. can small diced tomatoes with the juice
3 bay leaves
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 T dried thyme leaves, crushed
2 t salt
several grinds of pepper

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 bunch kale, ribs removed and diced into 1/2 inch dice 

Place bone at the bottom of a large stockpot, add beans through pepper along with 8 c. water. Cover and bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, and cook until beans are tender for 2-3 hours.

To test, remove one bean, let it cool. Pinch the bean between your thumb and forefinger. If the bean is cooked through, it will mash with little resistance. 

Add the sweet potatoes cubes and the diced kale, simmer one additional hour.

Before serving, remove the ham bone from the soup, ( the ham bone and meat will be hot!...) carefully remove the meat from the bone, discard excess fat, dice the meat and return it to the soup pot. 

Taste for final seasoning.

Storage options for Ham Bone Soup with White Beans Sweet Potatoes and Kale. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. For longer storage, package into airtight containers and store in the freezer. Let thaw completely before reheating. 


UPDATE:  For your convenience, a "copy and paste" version of Ham Bone Soup with White Beans Sweet Potatoes and Kale has been included below. 

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Printable "copy and paste" version:


Ham Bone Soup with White Beans Sweet Potatoes and Kale
by the seat of my pants!
UPDATED: 12.28.2023

1 meaty ham bone, or 2 - 3 meaty ham hocks
1 pound of white beans, pre-soaked or quick soaked
1 large onion, diced
2-3 ribs celery diced
1 16 oz can small diced tomatoes with the juice
3 bay leaves
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 T dried thyme leaves, crushed
2 t salt
several grinds of pepper

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 bunch kale, ribs removed and diced into 1/2 inch dice 

Place bone at the bottom of a large stockpot, add beans through pepper along with 8 c. water. Cover and bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, and cook until beans are tender for 2-3 hours.

To test, remove one bean, let it cool. Pinch the bean between your thumb and forefinger. If the bean is cooked through, it will mash with little resistance. 

Add the sweet potatoes cubes and the diced kale, simmer one additional hour.

Before serving, remove the ham bone from the soup, ( the ham bone and meat will be hot!...) carefully remove the meat from the bone, discard excess fat, dice the meat and return it to the soup pot. 

Taste for final seasoning.

Storage options for Ham Bone Soup with White Beans Sweet Potatoes and Kale. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. For longer storage, package into airtight containers and store in the freezer. Let thaw completely before reheating. 

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Would you like to comment?

  1. Yum. It's a little too warm for soup right now, but soon .....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We were 64 and rain these past few days, definitely soup weather here...weather is different everywhere!

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  2. This looks good. We always do ham and pea soup! but this sounds good too.

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    Replies
    1. I like the mild sweet of the potatoes played with the smokey ham...

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  3. We love soup here in our house. Even though it feels like 150° here in North Florida, LOL

    You want to hook up with Deb at Kahakai Kitchen for her Super Sandy event. I think the link up is still open if you wanna add your soup. I think people would like to see it

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  4. I love all soup, this one can easily be a main course! Looking forward to soup weather!

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    Replies
    1. Soup with crusty bread is my favorite main course! Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.

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  5. It looks both hearty and delicious--thank for sharing it with Souper Sundays this week.

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    Replies
    1. Deb, you are very welcome. Thanks for hosting Souper Sundays!

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  6. Thanks for sharing this recipe. I always save the ham bone but never get motivated to try a new soup recipe with it like I should. Pinned. #HomeMattersParty

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    Replies
    1. I remember years ago at a work luncheon, we couldn't wait to pack up the ham bone for soup! A meaty ham bone is one of my favorite ingredients for soup.

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  7. Leftover bones seem to make the best soup! I'm looking forward to cooler fall weather and pots of soup for dinner. Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner party! Hope to see you there again on Sunday.

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    Replies
    1. We are already having some cool days here in Montana, thanks for stopping by!

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  8. Amazing, love this, especially with the ham and beans and this chilly weather we have today. Thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Esme, thanks so much! I love soup and this one is quite good. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate it.

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  9. I love making soups with leftover bones!! This one looks delicious! Thanks for joining the party every week. I appreciate your support (and your yummy foods)! Happy New Adventures!

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    Replies
    1. Helen, thanks so much for all you do @thelazygastronome!

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