Holiday Leftovers: Ham, Bean, and Kale Stew Recipe

Updated March 07, 2019

A bowl of ham, bean, and kale stew with two slices of toasted bread on the side.

So if you've been following along here, you already know everything you need to know to serve a perfect holiday ham. But what about the next day when you've got that big ol' ham bone and scraps to contend with?

The only thing that loves ham more than and-cheese-sandwiches is beans. I happened to have a couple of bags of gigantic dried beans from a trip to Japan that worked exceedingly well in this recipe, but cannellini, Great Northern, or even plain old navy beans will work just fine. Ever since I tried the incredible chickpeas and morcilla from Bar Pinotxo at La Boqueria market in Barcelona, I've been obsessed with the combination of beans, pork, olive oil, and sherry vinegar. Both the oil and vinegar drizzled on right before serving enliven the dish significantly.

A handful of pulled kale greens turns it into a full-fledged meal.

Recipe Details

Holiday Leftovers: Ham, Bean, and Kale Stew Recipe

Active 15 mins

Total 0 mins

Serves 8 to 10 servings

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Ingredients

1 pound dried beans such as Great Northern, cannellini, or Tarbais, soaked in water at room temperature overnight
1 pound leftover smoked ham bones, scraps, and/or meat
3 quarts low-sodium chicken stock or water
1 large onion, split
1 large clove garlic
3 bay leaves
Kosher salt
1 large bunch picked kale leaves (about 2 quarts loosely packed)
Freshly ground black pepper
Extra virgin olive oil
Sherry vinegar

Directions

Combine beans, ham, stock or water, onion, garlic, and bay leaves in large Dutch oven. Add 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to medium low and simmer until beans are completely tender, about 45 minutes, adding water as necessary to keep beans covered at all times. Remove ham and set aside. Discard onion, garlic, and bay leaves.
When ham is cool enough to handle, shred meat into small pieces with fingers and return to pot with beans. Discard bones. Add kale to beans. Bring to a vigorous simmer and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until some beans have broken down completely, liquid is reduced to thick stew-like consistency, and kale is completely tender, about 30 minutes longer.
Season to taste with additional salt and black pepper and serve immediately in shallow bowls, drizzling with plenty of extra-virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of sherry vinegar. Serve with crusty bread toasted with olive oil.

Soups

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
273	Calories
6g	Fat
37g	Carbs
21g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8 to 10
Amount per serving
Calories	273
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g	8%
Saturated Fat 1g	6%
Cholesterol 10mg	3%
Sodium 703mg	31%
Total Carbohydrate 37g	13%
Dietary Fiber 9g	32%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 21g
Vitamin C 43mg	215%
Calcium 197mg	15%
Iron 6mg	33%
Potassium 1133mg	24%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.