Hearty White Bean Soup with Turkey Ham (Print Version)

This Hearty White Bean Soup with Turkey Ham recipe brings warmth and flavor to your table. Simple ingredients, big taste, and pure comfort in every spoonful.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Dairy-Free (omit Parmesan), Gluten-Free (ensure GF broth & serve with GF bread)

# Ingredients:

→ Soup Base Essentials

01 - 2 tbsp olive oil
02 - 1 large yellow onion, chopped
03 - 2 carrots, chopped
04 - 2 celery stalks, chopped
05 - 4-5 cloves garlic, minced

→ Turkey Ham & Beans

06 - 8 oz diced turkey ham
07 - 2 (15-oz) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

→ Flavor Powerhouses

08 - 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
09 - 1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
10 - 1 tsp dried thyme
11 - 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
12 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
14 - Parmesan rind (optional)

→ Finishing Touches

15 - 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, roughly chopped
16 - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
17 - Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving, optional)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, grab a big, heavy-bottomed pot or a Dutch oven. Drizzle in a generous glug of olive oil over medium heat. When it shimmers, toss in your chopped onion, carrots, and celery. This is your mirepoix, the flavor base, and honestly, this is where the magic starts. Stir them around for about 5-7 minutes until they soften up and start smelling sweet. Don't rush this step; you're building layers, hon. I always find myself taking a deep breath here, enjoying the smell.
02 - Next, push the veggies to one side and add your minced garlic to the clear spot. Let it sizzle for about 30 seconds until it's fragrant – but watch it like a hawk! Burnt garlic is a sad, bitter mess, and I've definitely made that mistake before. Then, add your diced turkey ham. Let it brown a bit, getting those lovely crispy edges. This step really gets the flavor party started for our Hearty White Bean Soup with Turkey Ham.
03 - Pour in your can of diced tomatoes, juice and all. Give it a good stir, scraping up any delicious bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. This is called deglazing, and it's super important for flavor. Then, add your chicken or vegetable broth. Toss in your dried herbs – I usually just sprinkle them in, a little bit of this, a little bit of that. Bring it all to a gentle simmer. This is when the kitchen starts smelling absolutely divine, like a warm hug.
04 - Now, it's time for the stars of our Hearty White Bean Soup with Turkey Ham: the cannellini beans! Make sure they're drained and rinsed, okay? Nobody wants that can-liquid taste in their soup. Add them to the pot. If you're using a Parmesan rind, this is the moment to drop it in too. Give it another good stir, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for at least 20-30 minutes. This allows all those flavors to really meld together, trust me.
05 - After simmering, check the consistency of your Hearty White Bean Soup with Turkey Ham. If it's looking a bit too thin for your liking, you can mash some of the beans against the side of the pot with a spoon to thicken it up. Or, if you're feeling fancy, use an immersion blender for a few quick pulses – I always overdo it, oops! Now, stir in your fresh spinach or kale until it wilts down, which happens pretty quickly. Taste the soup. This is critical! Add salt and pepper as needed. Don't be shy; seasoning makes all the difference.
06 - Your Hearty White Bean Soup with Turkey Ham is ready! Ladle it into bowls. I love to finish mine with a drizzle of good olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh parsley or some grated Parmesan cheese. It just adds that extra touch, you know? Serve it with some crusty bread for dipping – it's practically mandatory! This soup is even better the next day, so don't worry if you have leftovers. Enjoy every warm, comforting spoonful!

# Notes:

01 - Don't skip sautéing the mirepoix; it's the absolute flavor foundation.
02 - Always rinse canned beans thoroughly to avoid a starchy, 'canned' taste.
03 - A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the very end brightens all the flavors.
04 - Serve with crusty bread and a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan for the ultimate comfort.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
02 - cutting board
03 - sharp knife
04 - measuring cups and spoons
05 - ladle
06 - optional: immersion blender.

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 320 kcal
Total Fat: 10g
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Protein: 25g

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