Navy Bean Soup with Ham

1 . Stage

Place navy beans into a large pot and cover with several inches of cold water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove pot from heat, cover, and let stand for 1 hour; drain and rinse beans. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

2 . Stage

Use a small piece of kitchen twine to tie parsley, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf into a small bundle. Place soaked beans, herb bundle, ham hocks, carrot, onion, and garlic into a large soup pot or Dutch oven; add 8 cups cold water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer until beans and ham hocks are tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

3 . Stage

Turn off heat; remove ham hocks and let cool. When they are cool enough to handle, remove meat from the bones; discard bones, fat, and skin. Chop ham into small cubes. Remove and discard herb bundle. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

4 . Stage

Transfer about 3 cups cooked beans along with some cooking liquid into a blender; puree beans. Pour pureed beans back into soup; add ham and bring back to a simmer over medium heat. Season with salt and black pepper. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios