Heritage White Bean Soup

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 2 hours
🍽 Serves: 6
★★★★★
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This Heritage White Bean Soup is a timeless classic that's both hearty and nourishing. Perfect for cooler days, it's a simple yet flavorful dish that brings comfort to any table.

Ingredients for Heritage White Bean Soup

White beans are the star of this soup, providing a creamy texture and hearty base. Make sure to soak them overnight for the best results. Onion and garlic add depth and aroma, making the soup savory and flavorful. The carrots and celery bring a subtle sweetness and crunch. Bay leaf, thyme, and rosemary infuse the soup with earthy, comforting notes. And of course, a good bit of salt and pepper to season it just right. We finish with a touch of olive oil for richness and a sprinkle of parsley for a fresh, vibrant finish.

Tips & Tricks

  • If you're short on time, use canned white beans — just reduce the cooking time.
  • For a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup.
  • Add a squeeze of lemon juice at the end to brighten the flavors.

Serving Suggestions

This soup pairs beautifully with a slice of crusty bread or a simple green salad. For a heartier meal, serve it alongside roasted chicken or grilled sausages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze this soup?
Yes, it freezes well! Just let it cool completely and store in airtight containers.
Can I add meat to this soup?
Absolutely, a bit of smoked sausage or diced ham would be a delicious addition.

Heritage White Bean Soup Recipe Walkthrough

Start with the white beans. Give them a good rinse under cold water, then let them soak overnight. This is key for tender beans that cook evenly. The next day, drain and rinse them again. Grab your trusty large pot and heat up the olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the onion and garlic, stirring until they're nice and translucent — this should take about 5 minutes.

Next, add the carrots and celery. Let them cook just until they're starting to soften. Now, it's time to bring everything together. Stir in the soaked beans, add the water, and drop in the bay leaf. Sprinkle in the thyme and rosemary, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

Increase the heat to bring the pot to a boil, then reduce it to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for about 1.5 hours, or until the beans are tender and the flavors have melded beautifully. Before serving, fish out the bay leaf and give it a taste — adjust the seasoning if needed. Finally, garnish with a generous sprinkle of parsley.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Rich, savory flavors from a blend of herbs and fresh vegetables.
  • Simple, wholesome ingredients that are easy to find.
  • Perfect for meal prep — tastes even better the next day!
  • Warm, satisfying, and naturally gluten-free.

Ingredients

2 cups dried white beans
8 cups water
1 large onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 bay leaf
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried rosemary
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup chopped parsley

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Rinse and soak the white beans overnight in water.
2. Drain and rinse the soaked beans.
3. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
4. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until translucent.
5. Add carrots and celery, cooking until slightly softened.
6. Stir in the beans, water, bay leaf, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
7. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for about 1.5 hours or until beans are tender.
8. Remove bay leaf, adjust seasoning, and garnish with parsley before serving.

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