Merken A comforting, rustic soup featuring tender ham, creamy lima beans, and vegetables simmered to perfection—a true country classic perfect for cool days. This dish brings a sense of warmth to any kitchen, offering a hearty blend of protein and wholesome vegetables.
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The secret to this soup lies in the slow simmer, which allows the smokiness of the ham and the herbal notes of thyme and bay leaf to infuse the beans. It is a simple one-pot meal that yields deep, complex flavors.
Ingredients
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- 2 cups (about 300 g) cooked ham, diced
- 2 cups (about 350 g) dried lima beans, soaked overnight and drained
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 cups (2 liters) low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation
- Rinse and drain the soaked lima beans.
- Sauté
- In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat a splash of oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Aromatics
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Combine
- Add ham, lima beans, broth, bay leaf, thyme, and black pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer
- Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender.
- Season
- Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
- Serve
- Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Using a large Dutch oven is ideal for this recipe as it maintains a consistent temperature during the long simmer. Be sure to stir occasionally to ensure the beans do not stick to the bottom of the pot.
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Varianten und Anpassungen
For a vegetarian version, omit the ham and use smoked paprika for depth. Alternatively, smoked turkey can be substituted for the ham for a lighter flavor profile.
Serviervorschläge
This rustic soup is best enjoyed with a side of crusty bread or traditional cornbread, making for a complete and filling country meal.
Merken Whether you're serving this for a family dinner or meal-prepping for the week, this Ham and Lima Bean Soup remains a timeless favorite that is as nutritious as it is delicious.
Antworten auf Rezeptfragen
- → Wie lange sollten Lima Bohnen eingeweicht werden?
Lima Bohnen sollten idealerweise über Nacht eingeweicht werden, um die Kochzeit zu verkürzen und die Bekömmlichkeit zu verbessern.
- → Kann man Schinken durch eine andere Fleischsorte ersetzen?
Ja, geräucherter Truthahn eignet sich gut als leichtere Alternative und bringt ebenfalls eine rauchige Note.
- → Welche Gemüse passen besonders gut zur Suppe?
Zwiebeln, Karotten und Sellerie sind klassische Gemüsesorten, die für Geschmack und Textur beitragen.
- → Wie wird die Suppe am besten gewürzt?
Thymian, schwarzer Pfeffer und ein Lorbeerblatt geben der Suppe ein ausgewogenes Aroma.
- → Gibt es eine vegetarische Variante dieser Suppe?
Man kann das Fleisch weglassen und stattdessen geräuchertes Paprikapulver für mehr Tiefe verwenden.