Hearty Holiday Soup
A hearty, flavorful vegetable and bean soup with a hint of lemon and spice, perfect for cozy winter meals and suitable for vegetarians or those seeking comfort food.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup black-eyed peas ⓘ
- 1/4 cup butter beans or large limas ⓘ
- 1/4 cup pinto beans ⓘ
- 1/4 cup navy beans ⓘ
- 1/4 cup pearl barley ⓘ
- 1/4 cup split green peas
- 1/4 cup small lima beans ⓘ
- 1/4 cup red beans ⓘ
- Juice of 1 lemon ⓘ
- 1/4 cup Great Northern beans
- 1/4 cup lentils ⓘ
- 1 large onion ⓘ
- 20 oz canned tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 pod red pepper or 1 teaspoon chili powder ⓘ
- Salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
Instructions
- Wash all beans thoroughly.
- Place beans in a large container.
- Cover with water and add 2 tablespoons salt.
- Soak overnight.
- In the morning, drain the beans.
- Add 2 quarts of water and about 1/2 pound ham or ham hocks.
- Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Simmer for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
- Add chopped onion, canned tomatoes, chili powder or red pepper, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
- Simmer for another 30 minutes.
- Serve hot with French bread, crackers, a green salad, or relish plate.
Tips & Substitutions
For a heartier flavor, consider adding diced carrots or celery to the soup. If you don't have all the bean varieties, you can substitute with any combination of beans you prefer. For a vegetarian version, omit the ham and use vegetable broth instead. This Hearty Holiday Soup recipe is versatile and can be adjusted to include seasonal vegetables.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this soup hot with a side of French bread, crackers, or a green salad for a complete meal. It also pairs wonderfully with a relish plate for added crunch. Consider serving it alongside dishes like Cheesed Mashed Potatoes for a comforting holiday spread.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave until heated through. If the soup thickens, add a splash of water or broth to reach your desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Hearty Holiday Soup contains roughly 314 calories, with 12g protein, 66g carbohydrates, and 3g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (79% of the Daily Value), potassium (32% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (32% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2122mg per serving (92% 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 dried beans instead of canned?
Yes, you can use dried beans, but they will need to be soaked and cooked longer. Make sure to soak them overnight and adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure they are tender before adding the other ingredients.
How can I make this soup spicier?
To add more heat, you can increase the amount of chili powder or red pepper used. Additionally, consider adding diced jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce to the pot while it simmers for extra spice.
Can I freeze the soup?
Absolutely! This soup freezes well. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
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).