White Bean Soup
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Delicious, homemade White Bean Soup in only 30 minutes? This family favorite is surprisingly both easy and healthy. Combine kale, carrots, bacon and beans into a warm bowl of perfection, just in time for dinner!
Warm and cozy white bean soup is one of my family’s favorites when we’re craving a comforting bowl of soup. It’s inspired by Italian white bean soup but instead of making it with pancetta, it’s made with bacon. It adds a smoky, delicious flavor!
This nutrient dense soup is also really filling! It’s a meal in itself, although I like to serve it with some bread or homemade breadsticks on the side to soak up all the delicious broth. This white bean soup recipe has become a go-to dinner and we enjoy every single time!
We all need easy soup recipes and this one is a keeper! Hearty, delicious, and easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner – that’s a winner in my book.
Why You’ll Love White Bean Soup
- This is an easy one-pot 30-minute soup recipe! Even though it has a short cooking time, it tastes like it simmered all day.
- The creamy broth is rich and flavorful, but not heavy. It’s the ultimate comfort food soup1
- There is plenty of protein in this dish. With bacon and cannellini beans, it is super filling and satisfying.
Ingredients Needed for this White Bean Soup Recipe
- Sliced bacon – You can also use the same amount of pancetta or even leftover chopped baked ham, but I love the smoky flavor from the bacon.
- Red onion – Yellow, white, or sweet onions will work, too. You can also use about three tablespoons of dried onion powder instead, but I think the soup is better with fresh onion.
- Minced garlic – Freshly minced garlic adds loads of flavor to this creamy white bean soup.
- Frozen carrots – You can use fresh carrots if you would like, but you will need to cook them with the onions as they will take a little longer.
- Frozen kale – Use fresh kale if you prefer or try using frozen or fresh spinach.
- Fresh parsley – I love the flavor of fresh herbs, but you can substitute dried parsley. I recommend using two tablespoons.
- Salt and black pepper – These two simple seasonings will elevate the flavors in this dish.
- Cannellini beans – These types of beans are very creamy, but you can also use White Navy beans or Great Northern beans.
- Chicken stock – You can also use broth instead of stock. Vegetable broth is a good substitute in this recipe.
- Half and half – Whole milk works as well or, if you want it extra rich, use heavy cream. You can also adjust the amount you add depending on how creamy you want the soup.
Helpful Tools
How to Make White Bean Soup
Place the bacon and onion in a large stockpot and cook them over medium heat. After a few minutes, the bacon should start to curl up and the onions will be more translucent.
At this point, add the garlic and cook it with the bacon and onion for one minuter or until it’s fragrant.
Add the frozen carrots, kale, parsley, salt, and pepper. Cook them for three to five minutes or until the carrots are starting to soften.
Add the beans and chicken stock, stir, and then cover the pot. Bring it to a boil and then reduce the heat so the soup maintains a simmer. Simmer it with the lid on for 10 to 15 minutes.
Take the lid off and move the pot off the heat. Add the half and half and stir.
How to Store Leftover White Bean Soup
FRIDGE: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to five days.
FREEZER: You can freeze white bean soup, preferably in serving-size portions, in a freezer-safe container for three to five months.
How to Reheat White Bean Soup
Thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight and then on the stove or microwave. You can use the thaw function on the microwave and heat from frozen that way too.
The white bean soup was a hit at my house! I love how filling this soup is.
Garnish Ideas
You can serve the soup just as it is, but I love to add garnishes for serving. Here are some you might like to try.
- Crumbled cooked bacon
- Shredded Parmesan cheese
- Seasoned croutons
- Chopped fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or basil
- Some red pepper flakes for spice
What to Serve with this White Bean Soup Recipe
Fresh garlic bread and air fryer cheesy garlic bread are two of my favorite sides to serve with this delicious tuscan white bean soup.
Fluffy dinner rolls and a nice side salad would go great with this soup too.
Can you use fresh vegetables instead of frozen ones?
You can use fresh vegetables in this white bean soup with bacon, they just need a couple of modifications. Fresh carrots and kale take longer to cook than frozen so you will want to plan at least five to ten minutes of sautéing and 40 to 50 minutes of simmering to be sure they are cooked through.
Can you add other vegetables?
You can also add celery, potatoes, or other vegetables but they may require longer or shorter cooking times. Be sure to give it enough time to cook.
Pro Tips for the best White Bean Soup Recipe
- It is important to let the soup simmer. Even if it’s already warmed, the flavors will meld together while it simmer. But make sure you don’t let it come to a rolling boil.
- Don’t be heavy handed with the salt and pepper. Depending on the bacon you use, it can be easy to make this soup too salty. Taste test first and then add more if needed.
- If you add extra add-ins to the soup, you may need to account for that by adding in more broth and half and half.
Save this recipe for the next chilly, cold day and treat your family to warm bowls of white bean soup for dinner! They are going to love it, I’m sure. Enjoy!
More Easy Soup Recipes!
- Crock Pot Zuppa Toscana is another soup with kale that we love to make!
- Cheeseburger Soup is one of my family’s favorite cold-weather dinners. It’s creamy, cheesy, and hearty!
- Chicken Pot Pie Soup is so cozy! The perfect chilly day dinner or lunch.
- Turkey and Rice Soup is thick, creamy and warms you from the inside out.
- Warming up with a big bowl of stew on a cold winter night is so comforting! Try this easy Irish Beef Stew for an easy twist on traditional stew.
- These soup recipes are easy, delicious and hearty. You’ll find over 40 easy soup recipes that the entire family will love.
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White Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 6 pieces regular sliced bacon uncooked and chopped
- 1 c. red onion chopped
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 12 oz bag frozen carrots
- 1 ¼ c. frozen kale about ½ of a 12 ounce bag
- ⅓ c. fresh Italian parsley roughly chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 3 cans cannellini beans 15.5 ounce each, rinsed and drained
- 5 c. chicken stock
- 1 c. half and half
- Fresh chopped parsley optional garnish
- Freshly shredded parmesan optional garnish
Instructions
- In a large stock pot, sauté the chopped bacon and onion over medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until the bacon begins to curl and the onion begins to become translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes longer, until you can smell the garlic.
- Add the frozen carrots, frozen kale, parsley, salt, and pepper and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, until the carrots begin to soften on the outside.
- Pour in the white beans and chicken stock. Stir, cover, and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 10-15 minutes or until the soup is heated through. (Both the carrots and beans should be hot inside).
- Remove from the heat and stir in the half and half.
- Serve hot topped with fresh parsley and fresh parmesan, optional.
Camden says
Aw, this white bean soup makes me think of my mom– I grew up eating a ton of her black bean soup! I can’t wait to try this and send it to her!
Courtney says
I hope she loves it!
Debbie says
I am so excited to try this white bean soup recipe. I’m wondering if it might also work with ground sausage in place of the bacon. If I try that, I’ll be sure to let you know!
Courtney says
I am sure that will be so good!
Kristen says
I love a quick 30 minute meal–especially during the busy school week! This White Bean Soup recipe sounds so comforting, and it seems like a tasty way to get protein!
Courtney says
Yes! Love meals that are quick and delicious in our household too!
Alyssa says
I’ve never had white bean soup before. I will have to give this recipe a try!
Courtney says
Enjoy!
Brittany says
The white bean soup was a hit at my house! I love how filling this soup is.
Courtney says
Thank you!