This was awesome! I have never ate bean soup because I don't like beans. I only tried it because my boyfriend loves bean soup and was after me to make some. This is pure heaven. It doesn't taste like beans and the flavor is awesome. I also threw some potatoes in mine.

Delightfully simple with wonderful results. I utilized a spiral ham bone which still featured generous amounts of meat nubins. Also provides a potentially versatile base for customization.

I really enjoyed this recipe and it was very easy to make... although I didn't need to cook it for the 4 hours it called for.

This recipe was just like my Mother used to make... my Dad always added a little ketchup to his bowl... easy and good!

This is just like I make it with two exceptions... I add fennel seeds which gives it a very unique & wonderful flavor & some minced garlic. Great recipe for a cold winter meal!

Add small slices of turkey, can of chick peas, white & red beans, garlic, sliced bell pepper, mushrooms & bay leaf. Enjoy

Just one thing, if you're using dried beans, they'll probably need to be soaked to soften them for awhile; possibly overnight.

I had never made ham bone soup before... delicious! I found out that navy beans are also called called small white beans. You do not need to soak the beans overnight. The first 2 hour simmer takes the place of that. I added a garlic clove, 1 tsp. basil, and 1 tsp. oregano. I also only used 1 tsp salt rather than 1 tbsp. It all depends how much salt you like.

How do you get rid of the outer skins on the navy beans? They just don't dissolve. Pain in the neck spitting them out of your mouth so you don't choke on them.

Hi Bev,

Some beans have been stored longer than others and may take longer to cook and soften. Soak them overnight and cook them until tender - however long it takes. Try using a pressure cooker for best results.

In the past, when beans were a daily part of the diet, they would save a small amount of the soaking water for the next batch because the fermentation enzymes would help begin a new fermentation process that helps soften the skins. Beans naturally have these enzymes to help them sprout for the next growing season, but as they get older and are stored for longer periods the enzymes become inactive.

-- CM

Definitely add a bay leaf. Perfect recipe.

Wow, took recipe and added ingredients from others comments, superb!

I cook with chicken broth, or BETTER THAN BOUILLON chicken base, or chicken bouillon cubes, and add some garlic, cut up. It's great, and serve with corn bread. Yummy!! Dionne from Leesburg, FL.

Add ketchup (enough that soup turns a light shade of pink or to taste). This gives the soup a little zing!

Great recipe and easy to make. The result was a thick, hearty, delicious meal perfect for a cold winter's day.

I made this recipe from an Easter ham bone, added potatoes and minced garlic. It was wonderful!

Wonderful recipe! I added some potatoes, bay leaf, and some cut up leftover ham last hour. Amazing!

This is a good recipe. I sauteed the vegetables in butter first, which makes the broth richer. Also try soaking the beans in apple cider vinegar first. This helps with the "gas" problem later!