This Leftover Ham and Bean Soup is an economical recipe that makes use of a ham bone. This ham bone soup is easy to make and incredibly flavorful.
Our recipe for Ham and Bean Soup costs $7. 97 to make. It makes 8 servings for only $0. 99 per serving.
Because it’s cheap, you can feed your family two meals from our Copycat Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham bone.
A steaming bowl of hearty ham and bean soup truly hits the spot on a cold winter day. And it’s even better when you can enjoy leftovers! But how long will homemade ham and bean soup last in the fridge or freezer? Follow this guide for tips on safe storage, recognizing spoilage, freezing, and reheating to get the longest shelf life out of your leftover ham and bean soup.
How Long Does Leftover Ham and Bean Soup Last?
When stored properly in the refrigerator leftover ham and bean soup will keep for 3 to 5 days. To maximize freshness store soup in airtight containers with lids to prevent drying out. Glass and plastic containers are ideal. Let the soup cool completely before refrigerating, within 2 hours after cooking. Arrange containers in the fridge so soups are near the back of the top shelf, away from temperature fluctuations when opening the door.
If you don’t think you’ll finish the leftovers within 5 days, consider freezing portions immediately after cooking Frozen properly, ham and bean soup will keep for 2 to 3 months in the freezer
How to Tell if Ham and Bean Soup Has Gone Bad
To avoid foodborne illness, it’s important to know when leftover soup is no longer safe to eat. Check for these signs your ham and bean soup has spoiled:
- Change in color: Green, blue, black discoloration
- Mold growth on surface or lid
- Strange odors: Sour, unpleasant, sulfurous smell
- Off tastes: Bitterness, increased saltiness
- Consistency changes: Extremely thickened, separated liquid
- Gas bubbles: Bubbles indicate microbial fermentation
- Slimy or slippery texture
When inspecting soup, look thoroughly at the bottom and sides of the container too. If you notice any of these red flags in your leftover soup, err on the side of caution and discard it.
Storing Ham and Bean Soup Safely
Follow these tips for safe leftover ham and bean soup storage:
- Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking, don’t let soup cool on counter
- Use shallow containers to allow rapid cooling
- Completely cover and seal lids on containers
- Label containers with date and contents
- Place older leftovers towards front of fridge
- Avoid overcrowding fridge shelves
- Discard soup if older than 5 days, even if frozen previously
Proper, prompt refrigeration is the #1 way to prevent bacterial growth and safely store leftover ham and bean soup.
Freezing Ham and Bean Soup for Later
Got a huge batch of leftover soup? Extend its shelf life by freezing in handy portions. Here’s how:
- Let soup completely cool first
- Use freezer-safe containers like plastic or glass
- Leave 1-inch headspace to allow for expansion
- Seal lids tightly, removing all air
- Label containers clearly with contents and date
- Freeze for up to 2-3 months
- Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating
Making individual portions allows grabbing just what you need from the freezer. Sturdy plastic freezer bags also work well.
Reheating Leftover Ham and Bean Soup Safely
When reheating frozen or refrigerated leftover ham and bean soup, keep these food safety tips in mind:
- Reheat only the amount needed
- Bring to a rolling boil on stove or heat to 165°F
- Stir frequently to evenly distribute heat
- Don’t let soup boil for more than 2 minutes after reheating
- Only reheat once, don’t let soup cool and reheat again
- Discard any leftovers after reheating
Proper reheating destroys potentially harmful bacteria that can develop in stored soup. Excessive boiling can break down the soup though, so heat just until hot and steaming.
With proper leftover handling, you can safely enjoy delicious ham and bean soup for up to 5 days refrigerated or 2-3 months frozen. Follow these storage, freezing, and reheating guidelines to reduce food waste and make your ham and bean soup last.
How to make Leftover Ham and Bean Soup recipe:
STEP ONE: First, heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Then cook the onion and carrots before adding the garlic to cook as well.
First, add the chicken stock and stir it in. Then, scrape the bottom of the pot to get rid of any brown bits. Add the remaining ingredients.
STEP THREE: Cover the pot and bring the soup to a boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer for thirty minutes.
STEP FOUR: Finally, take the ham bone out of the pot. Leave any ham pieces that are still in the soup before serving.
- large heavy-bottomed pot
- cutting board
- chef’s knife
- measuring cups
- liquid measuring cup
- wooden mixing spoon
- measuring spoons
How do you thicken ham and bean soup?
Take out two to three tablespoons of the soup’s liquid and put it in a small bowl. This will help the soup thicken. Stir in 1 Tablespoon of cornstarch. Once the broth and cornstarch are combined, stir it into the pot to let it simmer.