With Pennsylvania Dutch country flavors this ham and green bean soup recipe is easy to make and great for a bean harvest or leftover ham.

Ham and string bean soup in a serving bowl next to a pot of soup.

One of my favorite things about visiting my husband's family was enjoying Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine. My mother-in-law was a great cook and she made all kinds of great dishes from her Italian heritage to her own creations and a few delicious Pennsylvania Dutch staples like Chicken Pot Pie.

Making Ham and Green Bean Soup

So once again, my daughter brought home a nice bag of fresh from the farm green beans and I thought why not make ham and green bean soup? This easy one-pot meal is warm and hearty and easy to make.

Green Beans or String Beans?

Sometimes you will see a reference to this same dish called Ham and String Bean Soup. For me, there is no difference between green beans and string beans. In fact, you could use just about any kind of green bean in this dish, even frozen.

Also, I used ham steak for convenience but many people use ham hocks or shanks with a bone that cooks down and adds flavor to the soup. If you use a ham hock for example you will want to cook it on low heat for several hours. Also, there may not be as much meat from it as a couple of ham steaks but the choice is yours.

This yummy soup also contains potatoes making it a complete meal with protein, vegetables, and a starch.

Ham and string bean soup simmering on the stove.

The PA Dutch Key Ingredient

The one particular ingredient that makes me think of Pennsylvania Dutch is the addition of cider vinegar. Some people just place it on the table to add as much as they want while eating. However, I added it directly to the pot. It gives the soup a nice tangy flavor that's unique and delicious.

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Finally, this recipe uses beef broth but you could easily use chicken broth, vegetable broth, or just water.

Ham and string bean soup in a serving bowl next to an entire pot of soup.

A warm healthy and hearty meal for the whole family all in one pot.

More Pennsylvania Dutch Recipes

Aerial view of ham and string bean soup in a serving bowl.

Ham and Green Bean Soup

This ham and green bean soup recipe is inspired by the flavors of Pennsylvania Dutch Cuisine. An easy to make dish of healthy and hearty comfort food all in one pot.

4.47 from 99 votes

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 20

Course Dinner Recipes

Cuisine PA Dutch

Servings

Calories 281 kcal

Ingredients

3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3-4 cups green beans
3/4 cup diced onion
2 pounds ham steak cut up
2 large white potatoes peeled and diced
1 quart of beef stock, chicken or water
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

In a large stockpot saute onions in the vegetable oil for 2 - 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
Add ham and saute for another 5 minutes.
Add green beans, potatoes, black pepper, and broth.
Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for approximately 40 minutes.
Add vinegar and simmer for another 5-10 minutes.
Serve warm.

Video

Notes

You can use a couple of small ham hocks or a ham shank instead of the ham steaks. Once the soup has cooked remove the hocks or shank and pull off all the meat and shred it before adding it back to the pot.

You can substitute chicken or vegetable broth for the beef broth or water if you like.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 281kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 27gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 1686mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3g

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although attempts have been made to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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Comments

Claudette

June 20, 2023 at 9:03 am

I have lived in PA Dutch country my entire life and have an Amish heritage. My mother has made many PA Dutch recipes that I've tried to copy with limited success. We were very poor and she used the fewest possible ingredients. For this she would have used only ham, string (green) beans and potatoes in a water broth, and of course salt. I'm going to try your recipe using chicken broth and sauteing the ham in oil. Hoping it tastes like my mother's recipe.

- Patti Estep
  
  June 20, 2023 at 10:09 am
  
  Thanks for sharing your story Claudette and I hope you will find the right combination to recreate your mom's recipe.
  
- Ray
  
  October 14, 2023 at 3:24 pm
  
  as a proud Pennsylvanian Dutch I will say that we have never used beef stock to make this soup. get yourself some ham hocks and simmer them slow and for at least 2 hours. I'm making this soup as we speak and my hocks will simmer for about 5. the longer they simmer the more delicious the broth. There's no need to add beef or chicken stock because the water that simmered the ham hocks is deliciously hammy. I can't wait to sit down with a bowl, perfect for this chilly, rainy October day.
  
  - Patti Estep
    
    October 15, 2023 at 8:27 am
    
    Ray, thanks for sharing. I bet letting those ham hocks simmer does make a great broth.
B Bailey

January 15, 2023 at 2:27 pm

I did not love this recipe. Tried using ham hocks...not enough broth and would never use beef broth for a pork dish again.

- Patti Estep
  
  January 16, 2023 at 7:18 am
  
  I'm sorry you didn't like the recipe. We love it with beef broth. However, you could easily substitute chicken broth or water.
  
Denise

January 09, 2023 at 7:38 am

I love this combination and such a great way to use leftover ham!