Recipe for Ham Stock

January 29, 2026

 

Recipe for Ham Stock

That original navy Bean Soup recipe used ham stock (instead of chicken broth)—Traditional Flavor Booster)for the most traditional flavor.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 17 minutes
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ham bones OR 1 large ham hock
  • 1 gallon water 16 cups
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 3/4 cup celery chopped
  • 1 cup carrots chopped
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 bay leaf

Equipment

  • 1 large stock pot
  • knife and cutting board
  • 1 metal strainer

Method
 

  1. In a big stock pot, sauté the vegetables in 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter for a few minutes.
  2. Add water, salt, pepper, bay leaf, and ham hocks/bones. Bring to a boil.
  3. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, allowing the stock to reduce and concentrate for about 3 hours.
  4. Strain the stock. Remove ham hocks/bones, pull off the meat, cut into bite-sized pieces, and reserve the meat to add to your soup near the end.