Dad's Lima Bean Soup with Ham Bone

4.9
(37)
33 Reviews
9 Photos

This lima bean soup was one of my father's favorite dishes, a staple of Depression-era cooking when fresh meat was scarce, and soup stretched everything. It's simmered until thick and loaded with chunks of ham. Even lima-bean-haters enjoy this hearty soup!

Submitted by Sharon
Updated on November 27, 2023
close up view of Lima Bean Soup with Ham Bone in a blue dutch oven on a stove
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Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
4 hrs 10 mins
Additional Time:
1 hr
Total Time:
5 hrs 30 mins
Servings:
8
Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

  • 1 ham bone with some meat

  • 8 cups water, plus more as needed

  • 1 (16 ounce) package dried lima beans

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 4 stalks celery, diced

  • 1 onion, diced

  • ½ pound diced cooked ham

  • 4 carrots, peeled and sliced

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley

Directions

  1. Combine ham bone and 8 cups water in a large saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat until remaining meat falls off the bone, about 2 hours. Remove and discard bone. Use a slotted spoon to transfer meat to a bowl.

  2. Meanwhile, place lima beans in a large pot; pour in enough cold water to cover. Bring to a boil; remove pot from heat, cover, and let stand for 1 hour. Drain and rinse beans.

  3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add celery and onion; cook and stir until onion is translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add cooked ham bone meat, lima beans, and diced ham. Reduce heat and simmer, adding additional water as needed, until soup is thickened to desired consistency, about 90 minutes.

  4. Stir carrots, salt, pepper, and parsley into the soup. Let simmer until carrots are soft, about 30 minutes more.

Recipe Tips

If you don't have a ham bone, you can use 1/2 pound bacon or salt pork instead. Add bacon or pork to the pan over medium heat, and let cook for a few minutes. Add onions and celery; cook and stir until onions are translucent and bacon is cooked, 7 to 10 minutes

You can also soak the beans overnight and skip step 2. Place lima beans into a large container. Cover with several inches of cool water; let soak, 8 hours to overnight.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

296 Calories
8g Fat
41g Carbs
18g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 296
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 2g 11%
Cholesterol 16mg 5%
Sodium 710mg 31%
Total Carbohydrate 41g 15%
Dietary Fiber 12g 43%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 18g 36%
Vitamin C 14mg 15%
Calcium 78mg 6%
Iron 5mg 26%
Potassium 1231mg 26%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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