Print

Senate Bean Soup Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 90 reviews

Senate Bean Soup is a traditional, hearty soup made with navy beans, a ham hock, and aromatic vegetables slowly simmered to tender perfection. This iconic recipe has been served daily in the U.S. Senate cafeteria for over a century, symbolizing bipartisanship and tradition. With simple, affordable ingredients, the soup offers rich, comforting flavors and a thick, creamy texture developed by careful simmering and resting. Perfect for chilly days and meal prep, it’s a nutritious, satisfying choice packed with fiber and protein.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound dried navy beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 ham hock (or pork shank or bone-in ham steak)
  • 8 cups water, plus extra as needed

Aromatic Vegetables

  • 1 medium onion, divided
  • 2 celery stalks, divided

Other

  • 2 tablespoons oil (for sautéing)
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • Salt to taste
  • Optional: 1-2 teaspoons poultry seasoning or Italian herb blend

Instructions

  1. Sauté Aromatics and Sear Ham: In a large 5 or 6 quart Dutch oven or soup pot, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Add half of the chopped onion and celery and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Push the vegetables to one side and place the ham hock in the pot. Sear the ham hock on all sides to enhance flavor, turning carefully with tongs to brown evenly.
  2. Add Beans and Water, Boil: Add the rinsed navy beans to the pot along with 8 cups of water. Increase heat and bring to a hard boil. Let boil for 10 minutes to start breaking down the beans.
  3. Simmer Slowly: Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Partially cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar. Cook for 2 to 3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes. Check the beans and add more water as needed to keep them fully covered but avoid making the soup too thin. Begin testing beans for tenderness at the 2-hour mark; they are done when easily smashed.
  4. Sauté Remaining Aromatics: While beans cook, heat 1 tablespoon butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Sauté the remaining onion and celery until golden and fragrant. Set aside.
  5. Remove Ham and Add Meat: Carefully remove the ham hock from the soup and set aside to cool. When cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bone, chop into small pieces, and return it to the pot along with the sautéed onions and celery. Retain some sautéed vegetables for garnish if desired.
  6. Season and Rest Soup: Stir the soup thoroughly and season with salt to taste. Optionally, add 1-2 teaspoons poultry seasoning or Italian herb blend about halfway through cooking for an enhanced flavor profile. Allow the soup to rest for several hours or overnight in the refrigerator to intensify flavors and thicken naturally before serving.
  7. Adjust Thickness if Needed: If the soup is too thin even after resting, scoop out a cup of beans with some broth, blend until smooth, and stir back into the pot. Repeat as needed to achieve desired consistency.

Notes

  • The soup is best when made several hours ahead or the day before serving to allow flavors to meld and thicken naturally.
  • Do not substitute broth for water in cooking beans; the beans produce their own flavorful pot liquor during simmering.
  • Use quality dried navy beans and check expiration date for best cooking results.
  • If unable to find navy beans, great northern beans are a good substitute; cannellini beans require soaking.
  • Keep adding water intermittently during cooking to keep beans submerged and prevent scorching.
  • Consider setting up a toppings bar with options like bacon bits, shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, or pickled jalapeños for customizable bowls.
  • Freeze leftovers in airtight containers for up to 6 months; thaw overnight before reheating.
  • Adding poultry seasoning or Italian herbs midway through cooking enhances depth of flavor.

Keywords: Senate Bean Soup, navy bean soup, ham hock soup, traditional bean soup, hearty bean soup, U.S. Senate recipe, classic American soup, slow simmered soup

Find it online: https://tastybynova.com/senate-bean-soup-recipe/