HAM and BEAN SOUP RECIPE!!! + WonkyWonderful (2024)

FAQs

Why does my ham and bean soup taste 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.

Ham and bean soup thickens primarily due to the breakdown of the beans as they cook, releasing starches into the broth, which helps to create a thicker consistency. Additionally, some recipes may call for mashing some of the beans or adding a roux (a mixture of fat and flour) to further thicken the soup.

To cut down on the gassy properties, you can add a little baking soda to your recipe. The baking soda helps break down some of the beans' natural gas-making sugars.

Dairy products like milk, cream, yogurt, or sour cream can help balance out the saltiness of a soup or stew. The fat and protein in dairy products can help to coat your tongue and reduce the perception of saltiness. Fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or thyme can help to mask the saltiness of soup, too.

Perk up a Bland Soup With Simple Pantry Staples

Add a splash of vinegar (any kind!), or a squeeze of citrus. Chances are, you could use a little more salt. Go ahead—it's ok. Salt perks up flat flavors and helps balance out bitter-tasting ingredients.

The most obvious being a slurry — or a combination of the broth and flour (or starch). Other options for thickening a soup include blending some of the cooked soup vegetables and adding them back in; throwing in some bread; or adding in a beurre manié — aka the “reverse roux” — made from flour mixed with butter.

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

Dried beans tend to take a long time to cook, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't worry about overcooking them. Overcooked beans are perfectly safe to eat, but while they may be edible, they'll be less pleasant to consume. Signs that your beans are overcooked include them being very soft and mushy.

Add ajwain or epazote – both of these spices will decrease gas production – I swear by the epazote! Just add about a tablespoon to a large pot of beans during the cooking process. You can also add ginger or cumin as these spices help with digestion.

Does baking soda reduce gas in bean soup? ›

Bottom Line. If beans make you uncomfortably gassy, sprinkle a little baking soda into their soaking water. It will reduce the volume of gas produced by the legumes, plus, they will cook quicker. If you're even shorter on time, you may want to try some of our favorite recipes to make with a can of black beans.

Add digestive aids: Certain herbs and spices can aid digestion and reduce the risk of gas and bloating. For example, add ginger, fennel seeds, cumin or coriander to your bean dishes.

"One of the best ways to compensate for over-salting is to add dairy. Add a swirl of yogurt, heavy cream, or even sour cream." Feel free to use whatever you have on hand. The dairy can be added to the entire pot, or directly to the bowl before serving.

Add either raw or fried onion and it will soak the excess amount of salt.

Soak your ham in water before heating it, drain the salty drippings while cooking it, or serve it with neutralizing side dishes to even out the taste. You can also try to offset the saltiness by adding ingredients to the ham, such as vinegar, lemon, honey, butter, oil, or a creamy sauce.

Garlic and onions will bolster the taste of bean soup. Be sure to take a portion of the beans and mash or purée them for extra texture. Aromatics like celery or carrot will add more complex flavor notes. Despite being expensive, both mushrooms and Parmesan cheese will add some real umami (i.e., mouth feel) to the soup.

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.

Undercooking your beans

Overcooking can detract from the eating experience, leaving your beans bland and lifeless. Undercooking beans, on the other hand, can put yourself at risk of food-borne illness. This is especially true for red beans like kidney beans.