White Bean Soup

White Bean Soup is a hearty, wholesome dish that blends creamy white beans with aromatic vegetables and savory broth for a comforting and nutritious meal.

If you’re tired of dry, overcooked chicken breasts or thin, flavorless soups, this recipe provides a thick, satisfying bowl full of natural goodness and warmth. At dishfoody.com, this soup exemplifies simple ingredients elevated through slow simmering and balanced flavors.

This article explains why this recipe works, choosing quality ingredients, preparation tips, step-by-step instructions, expert advice, tasty variations, serving suggestions, and FAQs.

Why This White Bean Soup Recipe Works

• Uses white beans for creamy texture and protein-packed nutrition
• Combines aromatics like garlic, onion, and herbs for rich flavor
• Slow simmering melds ingredients into a thick, hearty broth

Choosing the Right Ingredients for White Bean Soup

Best Ingredients for This Recipe

Cannellini or Great Northern beans create a creamy base. Onion, garlic, carrots, and celery add depth. Fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme enhance aroma and flavor.

Buying Tips

Use dried beans soaked overnight and cooked for the best texture, or good-quality canned beans for convenience. Choose fresh vegetables without blemishes.

Substitutions

Navy beans or butter beans can substitute as white beans. Vegetable broth offers a vegan base; chicken broth adds richness.

Ingredients & Prep for White Bean Soup

• 1 cup dried white beans (or 2 cans, drained and rinsed)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: chopped kale or spinach for added greens

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions for White Bean Soup

Pre-Cooking Prep

If using dried beans, soak overnight in plenty of water and drain. Chop all vegetables uniformly.

Cooking Method

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened.
2. Add soaked beans and broth; bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat, add rosemary and thyme, and simmer gently until beans are tender, about 1-1.5 hours (or 20 minutes with canned beans).
4. Optional: Blend part of the soup with immersion blender for creamier texture and return to pot.
5. Stir in salt, pepper, and optional greens; cook until greens wilt.

Doneness Check

Beans should be tender and broth thickened, vegetables soft but not mushy.

Resting

Let soup sit briefly to allow flavors to meld before serving.

Pro Tips for Perfect White Bean Soup

• Soak dried beans overnight for better cooking and digestibility.
• Don’t skip herb additions for enhanced aroma and taste.
• Blend part of the soup for creaminess without cream.

Flavor Variations for White Bean Soup

Spicy Twist

Add red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or cayenne for warmth.

Keto/Paleo

Focus on broth, vegetables, and herbs; omit beans or substitute with lower-carb legumes.

Global Flavors

• Italian: Add garlic, oregano and finish with Parmesan.
• Mediterranean: Incorporate lemon juice and fresh parsley.
• French: Use herbes de Provence and finish with creme fraiche.

Serving Suggestions for White Bean Soup

Serve with crusty bread, garlic toast, or a fresh salad. Ideal for chilly days or nourishing lunches.

FAQs for White Bean Soup

• Can I use canned beans? Yes, reduce cooking time accordingly.
• How to store leftovers? Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
• Is this soup vegan? Use vegetable broth and no cream or animal products.

Conclusion

White Bean Soup is a filling, flavorful, and healthy recipe that brings cozy comfort with wholesome, simple ingredients. Versatile and easy, it’s a must-try for nourishing meals. For more delicious soups, visit dishfoody.com and try our Potato Leek Soup next!

White Bean Soup

Print Recipe

White Bean Soup is a hearty, nutritious soup featuring creamy white beans, aromatic vegetables, and herbs simmered to perfection. It’s perfect as a comforting meal for any season.

• Author: ssam
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups chopped kale or spinach
• Juice of 1 lemon

Instructions

• 1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
• 2. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic; sauté until softened.
• 3. Add broth, white beans, thyme, and bay leaf.
• 4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
• 5. Remove bay leaf.
• 6. Add kale or spinach and cook for another 5 minutes.
• 7. Stir in lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
• 8. Serve hot.

Notes

• Use fresh herbs if available for enhanced flavor.
• Add crushed red pepper for a spicy kick.
• Serve with crusty bread or crackers.
• Soup can be blended for a creamier texture.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 8g
• Protein: 12g
• Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: white bean soup, bean soup, healthy soup, hearty soup