Eat Without

Great Northern Bean Soup

Source: A Harvest of Recipes with USDA Foods USDA Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

Published by the USDA MyPlate Kitchen library. Read from an archived copy of the source page captured 2025-12-31.

Great Northern beans are white beans that have a mild flavor.

Makes
6 Servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups great northern beans, dry
  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 cup onion, chopped
  • 1/2 pound chicken, thawed, cut up, and skin removed from each piece
  • 4 ounces ham, chopped (1/4 pound)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 8 cups water
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup tomatoes, diced (or 1/2-8 ounce can low-sodium diced tomatoes)
  • 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar

Directions

  1. In a medium-sized bowl, soak beans in 3 cups of water overnight.
  2. Drain the water and rinse beans.
  3. In a large pot, brown onion, chicken, and ham in oil over medium to high heat for about 5 minutes.
  4. Add water, beans, and salt to pot. Mix well.
  5. Bring pot to a boil and cook for 5 minutes.
  6. Lower heat and cook for about 1 hour. Stir pot every 15 minutes.
  7. Add tomatoes and vinegar to pot. Keep cooking over low heat for about 20 minutes. Serve hot.

Notes

Tip for cooking chicken: The recommended safe minimum internal temperature for chicken is 165 °F, as measured with a food thermometer. Learn more about: Onions Tomatoes

Quoted for reference only, exactly as the source printed it, so check product labels yourself before relying on any of it. The methodology page covers the guarantee, and how a contributor can have their text removed on request.