Soul-Warming Hearty Bean with Bacon Soup Recipe for Cozy Days

Warming up on a chilly day calls for a comforting bean with bacon soup that delivers rich, smoky flavors in every spoonful.

The classic combination of tender beans and crispy bacon creates a soul-satisfying meal packed with robust ingredients.

Salty, smoky bacon weaves its magic through softened beans, building layers of depth and deliciousness.

Each ingredient brings its own character to this rustic soup, promising a hearty experience that feels like a warm embrace.

The aroma alone will draw you to the kitchen, hinting at the delectable meal waiting to be savored.

This soup transforms simple ingredients into a remarkable lunch or dinner that nourishes both body and soul.

Prepare to be delighted by a recipe that celebrates simple, honest cooking at its finest.

Simmering Bean with Bacon Soup the Right Way

• Crisp Up the Bacon

Sizzle bacon in a big pot until golden and crunchy. Scoop out the bacon pieces, keeping the delicious drippings behind.

• Wake Up the Veggies

Toss chopped onions, carrots, and celery into the bacon fat. Let them dance and soften for a few minutes. Sprinkle in minced garlic and let it become fragrant.

• Build the Soup Base

Pour in navy beans, chicken broth, water, tomato sauce, and a sprinkle of smoked paprika. Drop in thyme and a bay leaf. Bring everything to a gentle bubble.

• Let Flavors Mingle

Lower the heat, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer quietly for about 25 minutes. This is where magic happens and flavors get to know each other.

• Create Creamy Texture

Scoop out a couple cups of soup and blend until silky smooth. Pour it back into the pot for extra richness.

• Final Touches

Mix in most of the crispy bacon. Season with salt and pepper until it tastes just right.

• Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the soup into bowls. Top with remaining bacon bits and fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy. Grab some crusty bread and dive in!

Tips & Substitutions for Bean with Bacon Soup

• Bean-Saving Bacon Bliss: Learn how to make this soup even more amazing with insider tricks that'll make your taste buds dance!
• Bacon Crisp Mastery: Cook bacon until it's perfectly crispy but not burnt – the secret is medium heat and occasional stirring for even browning.
• Low-Sodium Secret Weapon: Swap regular bacon for turkey bacon and use low-sodium chicken broth to create a heart-healthier version without sacrificing flavor.
• Veggie Power Boost: Experiment by adding extra vegetables like diced zucchini, spinach, or kale to increase nutritional value and create more complex flavor profiles.
• Freezer-Friendly Magic: This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers, leaving some space for expansion, and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently on the stovetop.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 240 kcal

Servings: 6

Everything That Goes Into Bean with Bacon Soup

• Bacon: Provides rich, smoky flavor and renders fat for sautéing vegetables, choose thick-cut for maximum crispiness.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Creates flavor foundation with sweet and earthy undertones, select fresh, firm vegetables for best texture.
• Garlic: Adds deep, pungent flavor base, look for firm cloves without sprouts.

• Navy Beans: Delivers creamy protein and hearty texture, opt for dried beans soaked overnight or quality canned beans.
• Chicken Broth: Builds savory soup base, select low-sodium for better flavor control.
• Water: Helps adjust soup consistency and blend ingredients.
• Tomato Sauce: Contributes tangy richness and depth, choose smooth, high-quality sauce.

• Smoked Paprika: Introduces subtle smokiness and warmth, prefer Hungarian or Spanish varieties.
• Thyme: Offers herbaceous, earthy notes, use fresh or dried.
• Bay Leaf: Provides subtle background complexity, remove before serving.
• Salt, Pepper: Balances and intensifies overall soup flavor, adjust to personal preference.

• Parsley: Adds fresh, bright finish, select vibrant green leaves.

Kitchen Tools for Bean with Bacon Soup Lovers

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Perfect for cooking bacon and creating the entire soup base with even heat distribution.
• Slotted Spoon: Essential for removing crispy bacon while keeping the flavorful fat in the pot.
• Cutting Board: Needed for dicing bacon and chopping vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp knife for precise vegetable and bacon cutting.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Blender or Immersion Blender: Optional tool for creating a creamier soup texture by partially blending the soup.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching the pot.

Serving Bean with Bacon Soup to Impress

• Hearty Bread Pairing: Slice up a warm, crusty sourdough or rustic French baguette to dip into the rich, smoky soup. The bread's crispy edges and soft interior perfectly complement the creamy bean texture.
• Bacon Crunch Topping: Sprinkle extra crispy bacon bits on top just before serving for an added layer of salty, crunchy goodness. This gives each spoonful a delightful textural contrast and intensifies the bacon flavor.
• Fresh Herb Finish: Chop some fresh parsley or chives to scatter over the soup, adding a bright, green pop of color and a light, fresh note that cuts through the soup's richness. These herbs bring a vibrant touch to the deep, comforting flavors.
• Cheese Lovers' Option: Grate some sharp cheddar or sprinkle crumbled blue cheese on top to add a tangy, creamy element that complements the smoky bacon and creamy beans. The cheese melts slightly, creating an extra layer of indulgence.

Smart Storage Tips for Bean with Bacon Soup

• Smart Storage Strategies: Transfer leftover soup to airtight containers, ensuring it cools completely before refrigerating to prevent bacterial growth.
• Chilled Lifespan: Refrigerated bean and bacon soup stays fresh for 3-4 days, maintaining delicious flavors and textures when sealed properly.
• Freezing Wisdom: Pack soup in freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch headspace for expansion. Frozen batches remain tasty for up to 2 months when well-sealed.
• Reheating Techniques: Warm soup slowly on stovetop, adding splash of chicken broth to restore original consistency. Microwave works for quick single servings, stirring midway to distribute heat evenly.

Hearty Bean With Bacon Soup Recipe

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4.5 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Heartwarming bean with bacon soup delivers classic comfort from midwestern kitchens. Smoky bacon and tender beans blend perfectly for a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

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• 3 cups navy beans, cooked (or 2 cans, drained and rinsed)
• 6 slices bacon, diced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup water
• 1 (8 oz/226 g) can tomato sauce
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.5 tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Bacon Preparation: Crisp bacon in a large pot over medium heat until golden-brown and rendered. Remove bacon pieces, retaining the rich drippings.
2. Vegetable Sauté: Introduce onions, carrots, and celery into bacon fat. Gently cook until vegetables soften and become translucent, releasing their aromatic essence.
3. Flavor Enhancement: Add minced garlic and briefly toast to intensify its fragrant profile.
4. Liquid Integration: Combine navy beans, chicken broth, water, tomato sauce, smoked paprika, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
5. Flavor Development: Reduce heat, cover, and allow ingredients to meld together, developing a deep, complex taste profile for approximately 25 minutes.
6. Textural Transformation: Partially purée a portion of the soup to create a luxurious, creamy consistency. Reincorporate the silky mixture into the main pot.
7. Final Touches: Reintroduce crispy bacon pieces, reserving some for garnish. Season with salt and pepper to elevate the overall flavor profile.
8. Serving Presentation: Ladle the soup into bowls, crown with reserved bacon fragments and optional fresh parsley. Serve alongside crusty bread for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Bacon Crispness Control: Render bacon slowly to ensure even, golden-brown texture without burning; medium heat prevents rapid charring and maintains optimal flavor.
• Vegetable Sauté Precision: Allow onions, carrots, and celery to caramelize gently, developing deep, sweet undertones that enhance the soup’s overall complexity.
• Blending Technique Mastery: When puréeing soup portion, remove bay leaf first and ensure partial blending creates a perfectly creamy yet textured consistency.
• Low-Sodium Adaptation: Replace traditional bacon with turkey bacon and low-sodium chicken broth for a heart-healthy version without compromising rich, smoky flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg