Description
This White Bean Soup with Bacon is a hearty and comforting dish that’s perfect for colder days. Creamy white beans, savory bacon, and aromatic herbs come together in a flavorful broth that will warm you from the inside out.
Ingredients
Scale
Bacon:
- 6 slices bacon (or 4 thick-cut, chopped)
Vegetables:
- 3 large carrots (peeled and sliced)
- 2 celery ribs (sliced)
- 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (finely minced)
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Other:
- 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cans white kidney beans (19 oz each or 540 ml)
- ¾ cup half and half
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan
- Fresh chopped parsley or spinach (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: Heat a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp. Remove bacon, leaving fat in the pot.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Cook carrots, celery, and onion in the pot until softened.
- Add Garlic and Seasonings: Stir in garlic, salt, thyme, oregano, parsley, paprika, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Deglaze with Broth: Pour in chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot.
- Prepare the Beans: Rinse and puree a portion of the beans with half and half.
- Combine Ingredients: Add beans, bacon, and puree to the pot. Simmer until vegetables are tender.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in Parmesan and optional parsley/spinach. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Optional Thickening: Dissolve cornstarch in cream/water and stir into the soup while simmering for a thicker consistency.
Notes
- This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
- You can customize this soup by adding other vegetables like spinach or kale.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 990mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: White Bean Soup, Bacon Soup, Comfort Food, Winter Recipe
