Hearty White Bean Soup with Turkey Ham: A Weeknight Warmth (Print Version)

This White Bean Soup with Turkey Ham is pure comfort! Learn how I whip up this simple, flavorful meal with my honest kitchen tips and family stories.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 40 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: High-Protein, Gluten-Free (check broth)

# Ingredients:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 1 tbsp olive oil
02 - 1 large yellow onion, chopped
03 - 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
04 - 2 celery stalks, chopped
05 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 8 oz cooked turkey ham, diced
07 - 2 (15-oz) cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
08 - 6 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
09 - 1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained

→ Flavor Boosters

10 - 1 tsp dried thyme
11 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1 bay leaf
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Finishing Touches

14 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Optional Extras

15 - Crusty bread for serving
16 - Grated Parmesan cheese
17 - A splash of lemon juice at the end

# Instructions:

01 - Grab a big pot or Dutch oven, get it warm over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Toss in your chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Stir them around for about 5-7 minutes until they start to soften and get a little translucent. The kitchen will already start smelling amazing, I promise! This is where the flavor foundation for your White Bean Soup with Turkey Ham really begins to build. Don’t rush this step, it’s worth the wait.
02 - Push the softened veggies to one side, then add your diced turkey ham to the empty spot in the pot. Let it get a little browned and crispy for about 3-4 minutes. Then, stir in your minced garlic and smoked paprika. Cook for just another minute until fragrant – seriously, don't let that garlic burn! I've done that before, and it makes the whole soup taste bitter, a real oops moment. Stir it all together with the veggies.
03 - Pour in your chicken broth and diced tomatoes (undrained, remember!). Add the drained and rinsed cannellini beans and the bay leaf. Give everything a good stir, making sure nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pot. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it do its thing for at least 20-25 minutes. This is where all those flavors for the White Bean Soup with Turkey Ham really meld.
04 - After simmering, remove the bay leaf. Now, for that lovely creamy texture: take about 1/3 of the soup (beans and broth included) and carefully mash it with a potato masher right in the pot, or scoop it into a separate bowl and mash with a fork. You could even use an immersion blender for a super smooth finish, but I like a little rustic chunkiness. Stir the mashed portion back into the pot. This step is key for a hearty White Bean Soup with Turkey Ham.
05 - Stir in the dried thyme. Taste the soup and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. This is the moment to adjust it to your liking! I always add a generous crack of pepper. Let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes, uncovered, allowing the flavors to deepen even further and the soup to thicken slightly to your desired consistency.
06 - Ladle your gorgeous White Bean Soup with Turkey Ham into bowls. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley. A drizzle of good olive oil is also a lovely touch, if you're feeling fancy. Take a moment to breathe in that comforting aroma before digging in. It just smells like home, doesn't it? Enjoy every warm, flavorful spoonful!

# Notes:

01 - Don't skimp on simmering time; it's crucial for flavor development.
02 - Fresh parsley at the end isn't just a garnish, it truly brightens the whole dish.
03 - Always taste and adjust seasonings at the very end-it makes all the difference.
04 - For a creamier texture, mash more beans or use an immersion blender.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large pot or Dutch oven
02 - cutting board
03 - knife
04 - measuring cups and spoons
05 - potato masher (optional)

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 350
Total Fat: 10g
Total Carbohydrate: 40g
Protein: 25g

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