Ham and Bean Soup Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

Why is my ham bean soup bland? ›

Not Adding Acid

If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl.

Simmer to Reduce Liquid. If you want a simpler method of thickening your soup without adding any additional ingredients, try simmering it uncovered for a longer period of time. As the soup simmers, some of the liquid will evaporate, resulting in a thicker consistency.

This ham and bean soup is incredibly filling and satisfying. However, if you'd like it to be a little thicker, try adding a cornstarch slurry — or use this unlikely ingredient.

Got a soup that tastes a little bland and unexciting? Add a splash of vinegar (any kind!), or a squeeze of citrus. Chances are, you could use a little more salt.

Although these two beans are very similar to one another, they are each a different variety. The main difference between the two is that white Navy beans are smaller than white Great Northern beans. However, they have similar culinary uses and can easily be substituted for one another.

She makes lentil soup in her Instant Pot, and despite following the directions to a T, ends up with a watery, thin finished product. Her solution? Add plain instant mashed potatoes (which are essentially just dehydrated potatoes) to the finished soup recipe as a thickening agent.

You can also thicken soup by puréeing it with cooked beans or lentils. White beans like cannellini beans or navy beans are especially good for puréeing. This recipe for Creamy Italian White Bean Soup is a great place to start. Puréeing hearty winter vegetables like butternut and kabocha squash will also do the trick.

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute.

How to make bean soup thicker without cornstarch? ›

Use a Potato

Simply peel and dice a potato into small cubes and add it to the simmering soup. As the potato cooks, it will release starches, creating a thicker consistency. Once the potato is tender, you can mash it slightly to further enhance the thickening effect.

Cornstarch, or corn flour, can be used to thicken soup through its high starch content. Cornstarch is a great thickener for soup because only a little bit is needed to significantly thicken a soup, and it will not affect the flavor profile of the soup.

You'll add layers of flavor to the soup by sauteing aromatics (like onion, carrots, celery, and garlic) in olive oil at the start. The addition of ham not only makes it more hearty and satisfying, but also contributes great smoky, salty flavor to the dish.

Let it evaporate and cook longer.

If you find that your homemade or store-bought broth is thin and bland, you can concentrate its flavors by cooking it a little bit longer." Make sure to remove the lid or tilt it slightly to let the steam escape.