Hearty Vegetable And Bean Soup
A hearty, comforting vegetable and bean soup packed with fresh herbs, tender beans, and vibrant vegetables, perfect for a nourishing meal on chilly days.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup dried Great Northern beans ⓘ
- 1 1/2 quarts water ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh celery leaves ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon olive oil ⓘ
- 1 (14 1/2 oz) can ready-to-serve beef broth ⓘ
- 1 (14 1/2 oz) can whole tomatoes, undrained ⓘ
- 1 cup water ⓘ
- 1 cup peeled, diced potato ⓘ
- 1 cup diced celery ⓘ
- 3/4 cup diced carrot ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dried whole thyme ⓘ
- 2 cups shredded cabbage ⓘ
Instructions
- Sort and rinse the dried Great Northern beans; place them in a large Dutch oven.
- Cover the beans with water, 2 inches above them, and bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat and let stand for 1 hour.
- Drain off the water, reserving the beans in the Dutch oven.
- Add 1 1/2 quarts of water and salt to the beans.
- Cover and simmer for 3 1/2 hours or until the beans are tender.
- Transfer the beans and liquid to a container of an electric blender.
- Cover and process until smooth.
- Return the blended mixture to the Dutch oven.
- Add chopped onion, chopped fresh parsley, chopped celery leaves, olive oil, beef broth, chopped tomatoes, water, diced potato, diced celery, diced carrot, dried thyme, and shredded cabbage.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.
- Adjust seasoning as needed and serve hot.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, blend a portion of the vegetables after cooking. If you want to add more protein, consider incorporating diced ham or sausage. You can substitute Great Northern beans with canned beans for a quicker option, just reduce the cooking time. Fresh herbs like thyme or basil can enhance the flavor, while adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce can deepen the broth's richness.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty soup with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with 'Handed-Down' Chicken And Dumplings for a cozy family dinner. For added flavor, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving. Consider a drizzle of olive oil or a dollop of sour cream for extra richness.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, gently warm the soup on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it thickens. This soup also freezes well; freeze in portions for easy access to a comforting meal later.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Hearty Vegetable And Bean Soup contains roughly 306 calories, with 13g protein, 64g carbohydrates, and 4g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (143% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (124% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (70% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1172mg per serving (51% 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 different types of beans in this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute Great Northern beans with other varieties like navy beans or pinto beans. However, cooking times may vary slightly, so adjust accordingly. If using canned beans, add them towards the end of cooking to heat through without overcooking.
How can I make this soup vegan?
To make this soup vegan, simply replace the beef broth with vegetable broth. Additionally, ensure that any added seasonings or sauces are plant-based. This soup is easily adaptable for vegan recipes while still being hearty and flavorful.
What other vegetables can I add to the soup?
Feel free to customize the soup with seasonal vegetables like zucchini, green beans, or spinach. Just be sure to chop them into similar sizes for even cooking. Adding frozen peas or corn towards the end can provide a nice pop of color and sweetness.
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).