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Senate Bean Soup Recipe (National Mall and Memorial Parks)

By: Author Bram Reusen

Posted on Last updated:

Official Senate bean soup recipe inspired by: National Mall and Memorial Parks, Washington, D.C.

For this national park-inspired recipe, we’re heading to Washington, D.C., to the epicenter of American politics.

I am, of course, talking about Capitol Hill, the place where laws are created and amended, where politicians enter into seemingly endless disagreements, where there’s the occasional sparkle of hope when both sides come together for the greater good.

In fact, who knows how many deals have been made and collaborations set up in the U.S. Senate’s cafeteria? Maybe even over a hot bowl of delicious bean soup! There are, after all, few better occasions that allow for constructive conversations than over lunch or dinner.

The U.S. Capitol, which houses both the Senate and the House of Representatives, sits at the eastern end of the iconic National Mall, the heart of Washington, D.C.

At the other end stands the Lincoln Memorial, while numerous monuments and museums, notably the Washington Monument, the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian Museums, are scattered along this elongated urban park. The White House is just off of the National Mall, too.

This entire area, including many memorials and landmarks, is managed by the National Park Service as a site known as the “National Mall and Memorial Parks.”

And this Senate bean soup recipe is arguably the most famous food enjoyed at the National Mall! Let’s see how easy it is to make it, shall we?

U.S. Senate bean soup recipe (official)

U.S. Senate Bean Soup

  • Prep time: 5 minutes
  • Cook time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Total time: 3 hours 20 minutes
  • Servings: 4
  • Calories per serving: 293

This U.S. Senate bean soup recipe is the official recipe of this almost-legendary soup. It’s available on the website of the U.S. Senate, which also explains a little bit about its history.

Historically, there’ve been two different versions of this bean soup. Nowadays, one is still served every single day in the Senate. That’s the one you’ll find below.

You’ll see how incredibly easy to follow the steps are, too, while you only need a handful of ingredients for this sensational, surprisingly creamy soup. Definitely worth trying!

Senate bean soup in bowls on kitchen counter

This National Mall and Memorial Parks-inspired recipe for U.S. Senate bean soup contains affiliate links. You can read more about our Terms of Use / Disclosure here.

Necessary Kitchen Tools

Official Senate ham hocks and bean soup recipe
Yield: 4 servings

National Mall Official Senate Bean Soup Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes

Inspired by the monuments in the National Mall and Memorial Parks of Washington, D.C., this famous official Senate bean soup recipe has been served in the U.S. Senate for decades.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound dried navy beans
  • 3/4 pound smoked ham hocks
  • 8 cups hot water
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Rinse the dried navy beans under hot water.
  2. Add the beans, water and ham hocks to a large soup pot. Bring to a light boil, cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 3 hours. Stir occasionally.
  3. Take the ham hocks out of the soup, let cool slightly and cut meat into bitesize pieces. Stir the meat back into the soup.
  4. Melt butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the browned onion to the ham and bean soup, stirring to combine.
  5. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
  6. Serve hot and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 293Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 26mgSodium 859mgCarbohydrates 37gFiber 12gSugar 1gProtein 25g

A general nutrition calculator was used to determine the nutritional information of this recipe, which is meant solely as an indication of the dish's nutritional values. Depending on specific ingredients, quantities used and/or serving size, the ultimate dish you end up making may have different nutritional aspects. Please consider the information provided here only as guidance and not as an absolute fact.

© Bram
Cuisine: Soups and Stews / Category: Soup & Chowder Recipes
If You Decide to Make This Amazing National Mall and Memorial Parks-Inspired Official U.S. Senate Bean Soup Recipe at Home, Feel Free to Tell Everyone About It Below! Happy Cooking!

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