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Ham and Lima Bean Soup | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Ham and Lima Bean Soup

Teresa Ambra
Ham and Lima Bean Soup is incredibly mouthwatering comfort food. This wonderful ham soup is made in the crockpot so it's easier than having to watch over a stove for hours. This soup is filled with veggies so it's hearty, wholesome and filling, not to mention tasty. Great reheated for lunches too.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 40 minutes
Course Main Dish, Soups, Stews & Chowders
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 234 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 crockpot
  • 1 sharp knife to cut vegetables
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 soup ladle

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups ham (I used a ham bone that yielded 4 cups shredded ham after cooking off)
  • 4 cups ham broth from boiling the ham
  • 2 lbs. dry lima beans
  • 8 oz. fresh crinkle cut carrots carrot chips, or 12-oz. frozen crinkle cut carrots
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 1 leek green top removed, washed thoroughly and diced
  • 2 ribs celery sliced diagonally
  • 1 fennel bulb chopped , I substituted 1 tsp. minced garlic from a jar and used 3 leeks instead of one (see note below)
  • 1 tsp. dried marjoram
  • 1 tsp. dried thyme
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp. dried parsley

Instructions
 

  • Pick through lima beans and remove any stones.
  • Rinse and cover with water.
  • Soak lima beans approximately 4 hours or overnight.
  • They will absorb most of the water so you may have to add more water about half way through the time.
  • Meanwhile, place ham bone in a large 6-qt. crockpot and fill with water.
  • Sprinkle heavily with salt and pepper.
  • Cook overnight on low until meat is falling off the bone.
  • Remove ham and other pieces from broth.
  • Remove all the meat from the bones and other tissue and shred into a bowl.
  • Add shredded ham and strained ham broth back into crockpot.
  • Drain lima beans.
  • Add to crock pot.
  • Add carrots, onion, leeks, celery, fennel, garlic, and seasonings and cook until beans and carrots are tender – probably about 3 hours longer.
  • Check seasonings.
  • Add more if desired.

Notes

NOTE: To cook on top of the stove, after cooking and removing ham add soaked beans and simmer about an hour, then add remaining ingredients and cook until done - approximately another hour.
 
NOTE: Fennel bulb is usually only available in the fall. While it adds wonderful flavor to the soup, omit if you are unable to locate any.
 
NOTE: Seasonings tend to dissipate in the crockpot. You may need to add additional seasonings to enhance the flavor of the soup.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 234kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 17gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 1046mgPotassium: 736mgFiber: 6gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 3571IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 89mgIron: 4mg
Keyword gluten free, ham, ham and lima bean soup, lima beans, main dish, soup
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