Quick & Simple: Easy White Bean Soup

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Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

 

This simple White Bean Soup is the perfect easy recipe, and best of all…it’s ready in less than 30 minutes. Inspired by a Tuscan white bean soup, the tender white beans in here make for a filling and comforting soup. This soup has been on regular rotation the last few weeks since it’s quick to make, and I love the creamy texture. To make this creamy white bean soup, no dairy is involved at all. To achieve the creamy texture, one of the canned beans is blended until smooth, creating the perfect blended soup. This recipe only calls for two fresh ingredients; garlic and fresh thyme.

The best thing about this delicious soup is that you don’t need to use soft cannellini beans, but you can use different varieties of white beans. You can use Navy (Pea) Beans, Great Northern Beans, or even Baby Lima Beans. I don’t know if this would work with black beans, but feel free to try with any type of white bean found at your grocery store.

If you are on the hunt for the perfect soup recipe, here are a few of my favorite soups…

Quick Potato & Leek Soup: another example of a simple, hearty soup recipe. This one uses vegetable broth, so it is completely vegetarian friendly.

Butternut Squash Soup: one of my favorite vegan soup recipes and again, so simple to make. perfect for Fall…but it’s so good I’d eat it all year long. So creamy and rich thanks to a little coconut milk.

Roasted Tomato Cream Soup (Dairy-Free): another fantastic dairy-free option, and it’s a special secret ingredient that makes this soup so creamy. Check out the post to find out.

Why you’ll love this easy soup recipe…

• This white bean soup recipe comes together FAST. Ready in less than 30 min and only 20 minutes of cooking time (which is mostly letting it simmer).

• A great option for meal prep. Makes 6 to 8 servings and can be easily frozen. Store in the freezer in an airtight container or glass jars for up to three months.

• The perfect recipe to warm up with on a cold day, and so filling. Perfect as a side dish or on its own.

• For convenience purposes, all you need to use is a blender and a dutch oven or large soup pot.

• This soup can be made in advance, I think it tastes better the next day.

What are the health benefits of eating white beans?

We all love healthy recipes, and I think it’s important to know the some health benefits of one of my favorite soups. White kidney beans are:

• a fantastic source of plant-based proteins.
• rich in minerals, vitamins and antioxidants
• packed of fibre, which helps your body feel fueled and energized, promotes a healthy gut and moderates blood sugar levels.

What you’ll need to make this delicious white bean soup…

• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup of diced onions
• 5 minced garlic cloves, I love extra garlic in my dishes so feel free to reduce to 3 if you prefer
• 2 cans of white kidney beans or navy beans
• 2 1/2 cups of chicken broth
• 4 sprigs of fresh thyme + extra for garnish
• 3 bay leaves
• 1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• a few cracks of fresh black pepper
• parmesan cheese (for garnish)

How to make this easy bean soup…

1. Using a food processor or blender, pour all the contents of one of the cans of bean and blend until smooth. You can also use a large bowl and process with a hand blender or immersion blender.
2. In a large pot, add in the olive oil, diced onions and minced fresh garlic. Cook on medium heat for about 3-4 minutes, stirring often with a wooden spoon until softened and the onions get a little colour.
3. Add in the cups of broth to deglaze your pot after a few minutes of cooking. Then add in the bay leaves, fresh thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper.
4. Pour in the blended can of beans. Strain and rinse the second can of beans in cold water and add to your large saucepan.
5. Turn the temperature up to medium-high heat until a gentle boil, then reduce to low heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
6. Fish out your fresh herbs and bay leaf, discard.
7. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before serving.

Tips & FAQ’s…

• Serve with a side of crusty bread or side salad.
• For extra garnishes, add one of the following; a fresh rosemary sprig, a handful of baby spinach, a sprinkle of lemon zest or even a few pieces of chopped crispy bacon.
• To make this recipe vegetarian, swap the chicken broth with vegetable broth.
• For extra health benefits, replace the chicken broth with the same amount of bone broth.
• For an extra depth of flavour, add in 1/4 cup for dry white wine while cooking.
• Have a parmesan rind leftover? Toss it in during the cooking process for an extra cheesy flavour.
• You can substitute the canned beans with dry beans, just ensure to property soak and prepare them before starting to cook this recipe.
• Replace the fresh thyme with dried herbs if you prefer. Replace 1/2 tsp of rosemary, basil, thyme or oregano.