Creole Bean Soup Turkey Ham (Print version)
A flavorful Creole dish combining beans, turkey ham, and fresh vegetables for a comforting meal.
# What you'll need:
→ Meats
01 - 9 oz turkey ham, diced
→ Beans and Pulses
02 - 14 oz canned red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
03 - 14 oz canned white beans, drained and rinsed
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
05 - 1 bell pepper (red or green), diced
06 - 2 celery stalks, diced
07 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
08 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
09 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with juice
→ Liquids
10 - 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
→ Spices and Seasonings
11 - 2 bay leaves
12 - 1 tsp dried thyme
13 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
15 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
16 - 1/2 tsp salt
17 - 1 tbsp olive oil
→ Garnish (optional)
18 - Fresh parsley, chopped
19 - Hot sauce
# How to make it:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 6-8 minutes, until softened.
02 - Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the diced turkey ham and sauté for 3 minutes.
04 - Add the beans, diced tomatoes with juice, chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, smoked paprika, cayenne, black pepper, and salt. Stir well.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and flavors meld.
06 - Discard bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
07 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and a splash of hot sauce if desired.
# Expert suggestions:
01 -
- Its one of those soups that tastes even better the next day when the flavors have had time to become best friends
- The combination of creamy beans and smoky turkey ham creates a depth that makes people think you cooked all day
02 -
- I once forgot to rinse the canned beans and the soup ended up strangely cloudy and overly salty so please do not skip that draining step
- The soup will thicken as it sits which is actually perfect because leftovers the next day are even more satisfying than when freshly made
03 -
- A splash of apple cider vinegar added at the very end brightens all the flavors and cuts through the richness of the beans
- If you want it thicker you can mash about a cup of beans against the side of the pot before the final simmer