New Orleans Style Bean Soup
A hearty New Orleans-style bean soup loaded with smoked sausage, tomatoes, and vegetables, perfect for comforting gatherings and flavorful family meals.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Wash the bean mix and soak overnight.
- Drain the beans and add 2 quarts of water.
- Cook covered for 2 1/2 hours.
- Add meat, garlic, stew tomatoes, chopped carrots, celery, and other vegetables.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer for at least 30 minutes or more, adding water as needed.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, try adding smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the soup. If you don’t have kielbasa, ham hock or even a vegetarian sausage can be a great substitute for a similar depth of flavor. For a vegetarian version, consider omitting the meat altogether and using vegetable broth instead. You can also use canned beans if short on time; just reduce cooking time accordingly.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the soup hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color. It pairs beautifully with a side of cornbread or a simple salad like Watercress Salad With Creamy Garlic Dressing. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside a slice of Jello 'Dream' Cake for dessert.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm on the stove over medium heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if the soup is too thick. It also freezes well for up to 3 months, just make sure to cool it completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of New Orleans Style Bean Soup contains roughly 488 calories, with 10g protein, 67g carbohydrates, and 21g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (115% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (46% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (36% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1215mg per serving (53% 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 a bean mix?
Yes, you can use dried beans in this recipe. Just remember to soak them overnight and adjust the cooking time if necessary. Dried beans may require longer cooking to become tender, typically adding an additional hour to the simmering time.
What vegetables can I add to this soup?
Feel free to customize the soup with your favorite vegetables. Bell peppers, zucchini, or even greens like spinach can be excellent additions. Just chop them and add them along with the other ingredients for a hearty and nutritious soup.
Is this soup suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! This bean soup is perfect for meal prep. It stores well and the flavors deepen after a day in the fridge. Just portion it into containers for easy grab-and-go meals throughout the week.
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).