Description

Warm up with a delightful bowl of White Bean Soup, a hearty and comforting dish perfect for chilly evenings or family gatherings. This nutritious soup combines tender white beans with savory chicken broth and fresh vegetables, creating a rich flavor profile that warms the soul. With easy preparation steps and wholesome ingredients, this dish is not only satisfying but also ideal for meal prep, as it tastes even better the next day. Serve it alongside crusty bread or a light salad for a complete meal that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups dried white beans (such as Great Northern or cannellini), soaked overnight
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
4 slices turkey bacon or smoked paprika (for flavor)
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
Optional: 2 cups chopped kale or spinach

Instructions

Drain and rinse the soaked white beans. Combine them with chicken broth in a large pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for about one hour until beans are tender.
In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped turkey bacon (or smoked paprika) and cook until crispy. Remove from skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, sauté diced onion, carrots, and celery for about 5-7 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Once beans are tender, add sautéed vegetables back to the pot along with turkey bacon (or smoked paprika), thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
Allow soup to simmer for another 20 minutes to meld flavors together. If using greens like kale or spinach, stir them in now and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Remove bay leaf before serving hot.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 280
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 360mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 12g
Protein: 14g
Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: For a vegetarian option, omit the bacon and use vegetable broth. To thicken the soup, blend part of it with an immersion blender before adding greens. Experiment with other vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers for added nutrition.