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Bean with Bacon Soup

Bean with Bacon Soup

A hearty, smoky, deeply comforting Bean with Bacon Soup made from tender white beans, crispy bacon, classic aromatics, and a long simmer that creates a naturally creamy, velvety broth. Perfect for cold days, meal prep, and budget-friendly cooking.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 390
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 450 g dry white beans (navy, Great Northern, or cannellini)
  • 250 g bacon, diced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 8 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, if omitting bacon)
  • 1 fresh parsley, chopped (for serving)

Equipment

  • Dutch oven or large pot
  • cutting board
  • knife
  • slotted spoon
  • immersion blender (optional)

Method
 

  1. Soak dry beans overnight, or quick-soak by simmering in boiling water for one hour. Drain and rinse before cooking.
  2. In a Dutch oven, cook diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon pieces and reserve, leaving 2–3 tablespoons of rendered fat in the pot.
  3. Sauté onion, carrot, and celery in the bacon fat for 5–7 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for one minute.
  4. Add the soaked beans, chicken stock, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
  5. Simmer for 1.5–2 hours until the beans are creamy and tender. Add more broth or water if the soup becomes too thick.
  6. For a thicker soup, blend one-third with an immersion blender or mash some beans against the pot. Stir back into the soup.
  7. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot topped with the reserved crispy bacon and fresh parsley.

Notes

For extra smokiness, add smoked paprika or a ham hock. The soup thickens as it cools—add broth when reheating. Can be made with canned beans for a fast version.