White Bean Soup Recipe – A white bean soup is something that is meant to be nourishing and comforting. First of all, it is a soup of soft, tender white beans and tasty broth; sometimes the soup has vegetables and herbs. These are all the healthy recipes one can easily tweak and make ready for any season. Whether you want it vegetarian or include some ham, sausage, or bacon, white bean soup gives you some protein and fiber with every spoonful, along with taste.
This soup is a great meal prep option, as well as for leftovers; the flavors get better with time. It is thickened with some of the beans, either pureed or cooked until creamy enough and smooth without heavy cream. White bean soup is perfect for chilly evenings, rushed dinners, or packed lunches: affordable and filling. For a full-fledged experience, that crusty bread with soup is like a hug in a bowl.
White Bean Soup Recipe
White Bean Soup Recipe
Equipment
- Large soup pot
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Knife and cutting board
- Immersion blender (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 (15-ounce) cans white beans (cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Smelling: In a large soup vessel, heat olive oil on medium heat. Add onion, carrots and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until soft.
- Add garlic and herbs: Stir in garlic, thyme, henna and bay leaf. Cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Add beans and broth: Add white beans and broth. To bring a boil, then reduce the heat and boil for 20-25 minutes.
- Mix for cream (optional) : For a creamy texture, use an immersion blender to partially pure the soup, or mash some beans with a fork.
- Finish and serve:Lemon juice (if used) with salt and pepper and shake in the season. Remove the bay leaf. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Flavour Profile of White Bean Soup Recipe
1. Earthy and Creamy
- Source: White beans like cannellini or navy, or great northern beans
- Effect: These beans provide the soup with a natural creaminess-especially if some are mashed or blended, along with a very mild earthy taste. They incubate a comforting, velvety shell with a slight touch of nuttiness.
2. Savory (Umami)
- Source: Onion, garlic, carrots, celery (aromatics), sometimes rind of Parmesan, pancetta, or sausage
- Effect: These contribute to the deep straight savory backbone, especially when slow-cooked. In essence, soffritto-ginger in onion, garlic, celery, and carrot furthers richness and depth. Meat and cheese would add even stronger umami.
3. Herbaceous
- Source: Any of these herbs: thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, sage, or parsley (fresh or dried)
- Effect: The herbs lend woodsy aromatic layers that uplift the soup and neutralize its richness. Rosemary and thyme especially give a warm Mediterranean depth.
4. Slightly Sweet
- Source: Carrots + onions + long simmering
- Effect: The extended cooking enables the vegetables to exude their natural sweetness, balancing the savory and herbal notes.
5. Peppery or Spiced (Optional)
- Source: Cracked black pepper, red pepper flakes, or sausage
- Effect: Delivers a soft zing or warmth. Should not be considered in all cases, but could amplify tasty complexity, particularly in Southern or Tuscan iterations.
6. Smoky (Optional)
- Source: Smoked paprika, bacon, ham hock, or smoked sausage
- Effect: Grants a subtle smokiness when the smoky notes are present, lending rustic comfort to the food.
White Bean Soup Recipe – Nutrition & Calories
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 180–220 kcal |
| Total Fat | 5–7 g |
| • Saturated Fat | 0.5–1 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg (vegetarian) |
| Sodium | 400–600 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 30–35 g |
| • Sugars | 3–5 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 8–10 g |
| Protein | 10–12 g |
| Vitamin A | 20–30% DV (if carrots used) |
| Vitamin C | 10–15% DV |
| Calcium | 6–10% DV |
| Iron | 15–20% DV |
Megan Sheley is the passionate voice and creative force behind Clean Meal Recipes. With over 7 years of experience as a Food Blogger and Recipe Developer, Megan blends her love for wholesome food with her educational background in Public Health to create nutritious, delicious, and approachable recipes.