Navy Bean and Ham Soup
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Navy Bean and Ham Soup is a hearty, classic American comfort food, typically made with small white navy beans, diced ham (often from a leftover ham bone), onions, carrots, celery, and herbs like thyme and bay leaf. It's a staple of home cooking, especially popular in the Northeastern United States, and is known for its rich, savory broth and satisfying texture.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This soup is a well-balanced meal, offering a good mix of complex carbohydrates from the beans, protein from the ham, and fiber. A typical 1.5-cup serving provides around 250-350 calories, along with significant amounts of iron, potassium, and B vitamins.
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, this soup is a prime example of 'nose-to-tail' cooking, traditionally using the ham bone to flavor the broth, making it an economical and waste-reducing dish. Nutritionally, the combination of beans and ham creates a complete protein source, making it a particularly nourishing meal for colder months.