Wash Day Soup
Hearty wash day soup combines savory bacon, tender navy beans, and fresh vegetables, perfect for comforting family meals and making the most of simple pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Put navy beans in a large pot of salted water to soak overnight.
- In the morning, add bacon or ham to the same pot with the beans and let cook uncovered on low heat.
- Check the beans between loads of laundry to monitor cooking progress.
- Add chopped onion at 8:00 AM when doing laundry.
- At 9:00 AM, add 1/2 cup of soda crackers to the beans and bacon.
- Add chopped carrots at 11:00 AM, during bleach time.
- Serve the soup at noon over cooked rice with soda crackers on the side.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, try using smoked bacon or adding a bay leaf while cooking the beans. If you're short on time, canned navy beans can be a convenient substitute—just rinse and add them later in the cooking process. Consider including other vegetables like celery or bell peppers to enhance the soup, similar to what you might find in American recipes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Wash Day Soup over fluffy cooked rice for a hearty meal, and offer additional soda crackers on the side for a delightful crunch. This dish pairs beautifully with Janice'S Squash Casserole for a comforting and filling dinner. For extra flavor, sprinkle some fresh herbs like parsley or thyme before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simmer on the stove over low heat until warmed through, adding a splash of water if the soup thickens too much. You can also microwave individual portions for a quick meal.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Wash Day Soup contains roughly 66 calories, with 3g protein, 11g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is a good source of dietary fiber (13% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 4g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
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 make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily adapt the recipe by omitting the bacon or ham and using vegetable broth instead of salted water. You might also consider adding smoked paprika or liquid smoke for a depth of flavor that mimics the taste of meat.
How can I thicken the soup if it's too thin?
If your soup is thinner than desired, you can mash some of the beans against the side of the pot to thicken it. Alternatively, add a slurry of cornstarch and water, stirring until the soup reaches your desired consistency.
What other sides pair well with this dish?
In addition to soda crackers, a simple green salad or steamed vegetables make excellent sides for this soup. You could also serve it alongside Open-Faced Burger Patties With Onions for a hearty and satisfying meal.
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).