What can be used instead of a ham bone for bean soup?

[worm761]

I make my dad bean soup and split pea soup for his lunches. He is out and I don't have a ham bone. I don't want to cook a ham this close to Thanksgiving so tried looking for a ham bone at the store. Can't find one. What can I use instead? Would a ham hock work? Thanks for any advice.

 

[kellia]

I don't know, but I was wondering the same thing myself last night! I saw the bean soup mix in the pantry and it sounded good.

 

[Pesky]

Chopped ham. I do that all the time. I just put it in and let it cook. I usually either use left-over ham steak or ask the deli to slice it thick. And yes, ham-hock works fine -- it is a bone so same thing. Watch out as a lot is smoked so need to decide if you want the smoked flavor in your soup.

 

[Minnesota!]

I just use ham steak. Never have used an actual ham bone.

 

[LJSquishy]

Yes, a ham hock will work just fine. I like to actually dice up pieces of ham to put in the soup.

 

[tinkmom2]

I second the ham hocks. They are inexpensive and flavorful.

 

[worm761]

For those of you that just use a ham steak...do you use broth? or just plain water?

I usually use a ham bone with some leftover ham to toss into the soup.

 

[MineMail]

I just use ham steak. Never have used an actual ham bone.

Not the same taste (imo) and the ham steak is much more salty.

Yes, a ham hock will work just fine. I like to actually dice up pieces of ham to put in the soup.

I do the same, but again, don't add the same amount of salt. Cook and then season.

A cooked, smoked turkey leg will also do in a pinch.

 

[wishing4PA]

Haven't yet tried this, but would bacon work?

 

[scrapquitler]

I make my dad bean soup and split pea soup for his lunches. He is out and I don't have a ham bone. I don't want to cook a ham this close to Thanksgiving so tried looking for a ham bone at the store. Can't find one. What can I use instead? Would a ham hock work? Thanks for any advice.

I usually use a ham steak.

 

[LadyBeBop]

I use ham hocks all the time.

Haven't yet tried this, but would bacon work?

I've tried jowl bacon before, and that made the soup taste a little "greasy."

 

[gardengalB4]

I have fried bacon & added it when I could not find a hamhock in the freezer-worked fine-it wasn't greasy.I do buy the leanest bacon I can find.

 

[jmac323]

Like someone else above mentioned, I just used a ham steak or parts of an actual ham. I'm not big on bones or that sort of thing but I like the taste of the ham in it.

 

[Southernmiss]

In the South, salt pork is often used in beans. It's like very thick bacon only fattier and saltier.

 

[CammelleandBre]

I second the salt pork, or even thick cut peppered bacon.

 

[MariDisney]

I usually use a ham hock.

 

[Minnesota!]

I make a veggie broth (keep veggie scraps in the freezer..onion ends, celery roots, carrot peels, etc), and heavily season with Kirkland Organic No-Salt Seasoning from Costco. Then I use that, the beans, and the ham steak. Pretty damn good!

 

[disneymarie]

I sautéed bacon, onion, the bone in slice of ham. Cook potatoes, two lg chopped ones, drain off most of the water, add the bacon, ham diced, and great norther or butter beans.

If I do not have ham and have a hankering for soup
I go with the potato, bacon, bean, onions. Some bags of dry beans have the flavor pack in it. I always keep a bag on hand.
Does your dad like potato soup, my dad did. I added the bacon onion to it sautéed in butter, with Lourdes over to thicken.

Making me hungry!

 

[figment52]

Not the same taste (imo) and the ham steak is much more salty.

Soak the ham steak in ginger ale or sprite, coke will even do, for about 1/2 hour to an hour before you put it in the beans - it will draw some of the salt out; granny used to pour it over the ham before she baked it so this would be similar.

 

[*luv*disney]

If you just want the flavor of the ham I use a couple of packets of Goya Jamon seasoning, I always add that even if I have ham. Also I've used salt pork too and it's delicious!