Best Spanish Ham and Bean Soup Recipe

We know that there are thousands of Spanish soup recipes, but every single one of them brings something unique (and delicious) to the table.

In this Spanish ham and bean soup you will find the essence of Spanish recipes: a mesmerizing blend of vegetables, Serrano ham, and white beans, perfect to fight back those cold winter days.

Continue reading this article and learn how to make Spanish bean soup, with some super helpful tips for storing, serving, and ingredient substitutions that you can make.

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Pssst…!!?? You can’t get enough of Spanish fish recipes? Have a look at my other posts: 

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Background of the Dish

The Andalusian ham and bean soup is a newer version of the Fabada Asturiana that was created in the 19th century as a cheap yet filling and nutritious dish.

The main difference with that recipe for Spanish soup is that with this one you use Serrano ham instead of chorizo and blood sausage, and you include more vegetables.

Still, the Spanish ham and bean soup managed to stand out in Southern Spain, and in the present day, you can find it almost in every restaurant in the region.

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Things You’ll Need for Spanish Ham and Bean Soup

To make this soup and Spanish ham recipe you need canned white beans, Serrano ham, broth, onion, garlic, and tomatoes as the main ingredients.

Thankfully, the only equipment that you need to prepare the Spanish ham and bean soup is a large pot.

Ingredients

• 8 1/2 cups (2 l) chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 3/4 cups (400 gr) cooked white beans (you can use canned beans or cook dried beans in advance)
• 200 grams Serrano ham
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 white onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 carrots
• 2 ripe tomatoes
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

How to Make Spanish Ham and Bean Soup – Step by Step Guide

1. To start making the best Spanish bean soup recipe you have to chop the Serrano ham. Peel and chop the onion and carrots. Mince the garlic and chop the bell peppers into small pieces. Cut the ripe tomatoes into small squares.

2. After that, grab a large pot and heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté for a few minutes until they become translucent.

3. Then, add the chopped ham to the pot and cook for a couple of minutes until it starts to golden.

4. Now stir in the chopped carrots, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the bay leaf and paprika to the pot, and stir to combine.

5. Next, pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 20 minutes or until the vegetables of the Spanish bean soup are tender.

6. Add the cooked white beans to the soup and cook for an additional 10 minutes to heat them through. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Once everything is cooked remove the bay leaf from the Spanish ham soup.

7. Your Spanish ham soup is now ready. You can serve the Spanish ham and bean soup hot, and optionally, garnish it with chopped fresh parsley.

Substitution of Ingredients

As you can guess by its name, the main ingredients of the Spanish ham and bean soup are beans and ham, yet there are some substitutions that you can make if needed.

For this Spanish soup recipe we recommend using Serrano ham, but you can use Iberian ham, regular ham, or replace it with mushrooms or chicken.

If you aren’t the biggest fan of white beans you can follow other Spanish soups like the Spanish lentil soup with ham, or the Spanish chickpea soup, since you need other types of beans for them.

If you don’t have chicken or vegetable broth, then you can use the same amount of water and bouillon for this Spanish ham and bean soup.

Give a go to our simple Spanish white bean soup or the Spanish bean tomato soup as well, if you want something cozy and nutritious.

If you’re vegan and still want to try a Spanish bean soup, give a go to our Spanish vegan bean soup recipe.

Tips on Serving Spanish Ham and Bean Soup

The Spanish ham and bean soup is the perfect main dish for lunch or dinner, and you can prepare it all year round but it is more enjoyable warm during the winter.

To take this recipe for Spanish bacon bean soup to the next level you can serve it with grated parmesan cheese on top.

You can also toast a slice of your favorite bread brushed with olive oil and garlic to serve it with your easy Spanish bean soup.

You can also do like other Spanish soup recipes such as the pumpkin chorizo soup and top it with chopped and toasted nuts for a crunchy texture.

Try the Spanish lentil soup with chorizo, a delicious Spanish soup that uses chorizo or the nutritious Spanish lentil soup with potatoes.

How to Store Spanish Ham and Bean Soup

Spanish bean soup recipes in general are fast and easy to make, so we encourage you to eat it the same day that you make it for a fresher flavor.

Still, there are some ways to store this Spanish ham and bean soup and ensure that it will maintain its original flavor and consistency.

For that, you have to let it cool to room temperature once you finish preparing the Spanish bean soup recipe and then place it in a bowl covered with plastic wrap (or any covered container).

After that, you can store the Spanish ham and bean soup for up to 3 days in the fridge or 15 in the freezer.

We recommend that you put a label on the container with the date, so you’ll know how long you have to enjoy this delicious Andalusian soup.

Recipe Card: Spanish Ham and Bean Soup

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