Butter Bean Soup
Butter Bean Soup is a hearty, flavorful dish featuring tender butter beans simmered with savory bacon, aromatic onions, and celery, enriched with tomato sauce and Heinz 57 for a tangy kick. Perfect for comforting family dinners or gatherings, it offers a satisfying blend of smoky, savory, and tangy flavors.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook dried butter beans until tender, soaking for about 1 hour to speed up the process if desired.
- Fry bacon until crispy, then remove from skillet and drain, saving the bacon grease in the skillet.
- Cook chopped onions and chopped celery in the bacon grease until tender.
- Add tomato sauce and Heinz 57 sauce to the hot beans and stir well.
- Mix in cooked onions, celery, and seasonings (salt, pepper, spice pepper, parsley).
- Cook the soup for about 20 minutes longer, then add the bacon pieces before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your Butter Bean Soup, consider adding a bay leaf or a pinch of smoked paprika during cooking. If you don’t have dried butter beans, you can use canned butter beans instead; just reduce the cooking time. For a vegetarian option, omit the bacon and sauté mushrooms for a rich, umami flavor. This soup is also delicious with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan on top.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Butter Bean Soup with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Spinach Salad With Poppy Seed Dressing for a fresh contrast. You could also offer a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives on top for added color and flavor. For a heartier meal, consider serving it alongside a slice of Harvest Casserole.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the soup thickens too much. This soup also freezes well; just make sure to let it cool completely before freezing.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Butter Bean Soup contains roughly 319 calories, with 22g protein, 32g carbohydrates, and 16g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (137% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (80% of the Daily Value), and potassium (67% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2872mg per serving (125% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned butter beans instead of dried?
Yes, you can use canned butter beans to save time. Make sure to drain and rinse them before adding to the soup. Reduce the cooking time to about 10-15 minutes, just enough to heat through and blend the flavors.
What can I substitute for bacon in this recipe?
If you want a vegetarian version, you can use smoked paprika or liquid smoke to mimic the bacon flavor. Alternatively, you can sauté mushrooms and add them to the soup for a rich taste without meat.
How can I make the soup thicker?
To thicken your Butter Bean Soup, you can puree a portion of the soup using an immersion blender or regular blender. Alternatively, add a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with water and simmer until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).