Cozy Up with This Soul-Warming Hearty Bean Soup Recipe

Steaming with rich flavors, this delectable bean soup recipe captures the warmth of home-cooked comfort.

Beans dance through a robust broth, creating a delightful meal that satisfies deep hunger.

The simple yet powerful ingredients blend seamlessly to produce a nourishing experience.

Perfectly seasoned with herbs and spices, each spoonful tells a story of culinary tradition.

Simple ingredients come together quickly, making this soup a weeknight champion.

Hunger calls, and this soup answers with a hearty embrace of wholesome goodness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 6

Bean Soup Ingredient Breakdown

• Dried Beans: Hearty protein powerhouse that provides rich, earthy flavor and substantial texture to the soup.
• Vegetable Broth: Provides a light, savory foundation that enhances overall soup depth without heavy meat undertones.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds vibrant acidity and creates a robust, tangy base with natural sweetness.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic flavor-building trio that creates a delicious aromatic foundation with sweet and savory notes.
• Garlic: Intense flavor booster that adds depth and complexity to the entire soup profile.

• Bay Leaves: Subtle herbal undertone that infuses gentle complexity throughout cooking process.
• Dried Thyme: Delicate woodsy herb that complements bean and vegetable flavors beautifully.
• Smoked Paprika: Introduces warm, smoky dimension that elevates the entire soup's taste profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning agents that balance and enhance all existing flavors.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, zingy finish that cuts through richness and provides fresh contrast.

• Kale, Spinach: Nutrient-dense leafy additions that provide color, texture, and extra nutritional boost.

• Olive Oil: Smooth, heart-healthy fat for sautéing vegetables and creating initial flavor base.

Tools to Prepare a Hearty Bean Soup

• Large bowl: Needed for soaking beans overnight.
• Large pot or Dutch oven: Essential for sauteing vegetables and cooking soup.
• Cutting board: Used for chopping vegetables.
• Chef's knife: Required for dicing onions, carrots, and celery.
• Measuring spoons: Helps measure herbs and seasonings accurately.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Useful for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Ladle: Helps serve soup into bowls.

Simmering Instructions for Bean Soup

• Soak the Beans Overnight

Rinse dried beans and place in a bowl, covering completely with water. Let them rest and soften through the night.

• Prepare the Vegetable Base

Warm olive oil in a large pot, then toss in chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Cook until veggies become soft and fragrant, adding minced garlic near the end.

• Build the Soup Foundation

Pour in vegetable broth and diced tomatoes with their liquid. Add drained beans, bay leaves, thyme, and smoked paprika to the pot.

• Simmer and Transform

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let the soup gently bubble for 1.5 to 2 hours, allowing flavors to meld and beans to become tender.

• Final Touches

Stir in leafy greens like kale or spinach during the last few minutes of cooking. Remove bay leaves, season with salt and pepper, and brighten with a splash of lemon juice just before serving.

• Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the hearty soup into bowls and pair with a slice of crusty bread for a complete meal.

Tips to Spice Up Bean Soup

• Bean-Boosting Meal Prep: Soak beans overnight to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility, making your soup preparation smoother and more efficient.
• Flavor-Packed Substitution Strategy: Replace vegetable broth with chicken or beef stock for deeper, richer flavor profiles, or use water with added bouillon cubes for budget-friendly alternatives.
• Dietary Flexibility Approach: Transform this soup into a gluten-free, vegan-friendly dish by ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free and using plant-based stock; swap out animal-based ingredients with mushroom or legume proteins.
• Texture and Consistency Hack: Blend a portion of the cooked beans to create a creamier, more luxurious soup texture without adding heavy cream, perfect for health-conscious food lovers who want a satisfying, hearty meal.
• Preservation and Storage Wisdom: Cool soup completely before refrigerating, where it can safely store for 4-5 days; freeze in portion-sized containers for convenient future meals, maintaining maximum flavor and nutrition when reheated gently.

Ways to Serve Bean Soup Comfortably

• Rustic Bread Companion: Slice a hearty sourdough or crusty whole wheat bread to dip into the rich, flavorful bean soup, soaking up all the delicious broth and herbs.
• Herb Garnish Delight: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley, chives, or cilantro on top of each bowl for a burst of color and vibrant, fresh flavor that complements the earthy beans.
• Protein Power-Up: Top the soup with crumbled feta cheese, crispy bacon bits, or shredded rotisserie chicken to add extra protein and create a more substantial meal that satisfies hunger.
• Spicy Kick Option: Offer hot sauce, red pepper flakes, or a dollop of harissa on the side, allowing each person to customize their soup's heat level and add an exciting flavor dimension.

Keeping Bean Soup Fresh for Leftovers

• Refrigerator Storage: Keep leftover bean soup in airtight containers for 4-5 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to maintain fresh flavor and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezer Batch Preparation: Portion soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop to preserve texture.
• Reheating Tricks: Warm soup slowly on the stove, adding a splash of vegetable broth to restore moisture. Stir frequently to prevent burning and maintain consistent temperature throughout.
• Meal Prep Strategy: Make larger batches and divide into individual servings. These ready-to-go meals work perfectly for quick lunches or busy weeknight dinners, saving time and reducing daily cooking stress.

Hearty Bean Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty Portuguese bean soup brims with robust flavors and traditional ingredients from Portugal’s culinary landscape. Mediterranean herbs and tender legumes create a comforting meal you’ll savor with each spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) dried navy beans (or 15-bean mix)
• 6 cups (1.4 L) low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 (14.5 oz) (411 g) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2 tbsps (30 mL) olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 cups (475 mL) chopped kale or spinach (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Meticulously rinse dried beans under cool running water, removing any debris. Submerge beans in water overnight to enhance softening and digestibility.
2. Aromatic Base: In a robust pot, warm olive oil and sauté diced onions, carrots, and celery until translucent. Add minced garlic, stirring briefly to release its essence without burning.
3. Liquid Integration: Introduce prepared beans to the vegetable mixture. Pour in vegetable broth and diced tomatoes, creating a rich foundational layer. Sprinkle bay leaves, dried thyme, and smoked paprika throughout the liquid.
4. Simmering Process: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot to trap moisture and flavors. Allow soup to develop complexity for 1.5 to 2 hours, periodically checking bean tenderness.
5. Final Touches: During the last 10 minutes, add chopped kale or spinach, letting greens wilt gracefully. Remove bay leaves to prevent bitter undertones. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
6. Serving: Finish with a splash of lemon juice for brightness. Ladle the hearty soup into warm bowls and serve alongside rustic, crusty bread for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Rinse Thoroughly: Clean beans meticulously under cool water to remove dust, stones, and potential debris that could affect taste and texture.
• Soak Strategically: Overnight soaking reduces cooking time, improves digestibility, and helps break down complex sugars that cause digestive discomfort.
• Layer Flavors Carefully: Sauté vegetables slowly to develop deep, rich base flavors before adding beans and liquid, enhancing overall soup complexity.
• Manage Liquid Levels: Monitor soup consistency during simmering, adding extra broth if needed to prevent burning and maintain desired thickness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg