Creamy White Bean Soup - Workweek Lunch (2024)

This creamy veggie-packed white bean soup is satisfying, comforting, and comes together in about 30 minutes. Enjoy with some crusty bread or a grilled cheese. What more can you ask for?

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Creamy White Bean Soup - Workweek Lunch (1)

What's In This Post

Ways to customize this white bean soup:

Use whatever variety of white beans you prefer: white, cannellini, Great Northern, or navy. You can even substitute one can with chickpeas, why not!

Use your favorite herbs and greens. I used lacinato kale, but curly kale, spinach, mustard greens, etc. would also work great! If you don’t have kale or don’t like it you can swap it for spinach.

Add more protein: I found this soup to be very filling with the potato and beans alone, however, you can easily add meat. Partially cook ground meat before adding your onion/carrot/celery, or cook chicken or sausage on the side.

Can’t have or don’t like coconut milk? Swap for heavy cream, half and half, or your favorite creamy milk alternative.

Get wild with toppings! Cheese, nutritional yeast, a swirl of pesto, or a drizzle of hot chili oil would all be delicious in this soup.

Pair it with your favorite crusty bread, naan, croutons, or a classic grilled cheese.

Related: 5 Essential Freezer Meal Prep Tips

Creamy White Bean Soup - Workweek Lunch (2)

What is the thickener in a white bean soup?

In this recipe, what really thickens up the soup is the 15 oz of white beans that you are mashing and the starches from the potatoes. We aren’t using cornstarch or a thickening agent in this recipe, it really doesn’t need it!

Related: Weekly Meal Prep: 12 One-Pot Dinners Under 30 Minutes

Other delicious soups to try out:

  • Broccoli Cheddar Soup
  • Tomato Soup With Lentils
  • Classic Chicken Noodle
  • Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
  • Thai Coconut Curry Soup
Creamy White Bean Soup - Workweek Lunch (3)

How to reheat this white bean soup:

This soup will last in the refrigerator for up to four days and it will reheat beautifully in the microwave or on the stove.

If you want to freeze this soup, it will last for six months! We love using SouperCubes.

Looking for other one-pot meals? We’ve got you covered!

  • One-Pot Creamy Cajun Pasta
  • Easy Shakshuka With Feta
  • The Best Slow-Cooked Beef Chili Recipe

Creamy White Bean Soup - Workweek Lunch (4)

Creamy White Bean Soup

Author: Workweek Lunch

Rating

Servings: 3

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Pin RecipePrint RecipeShop Ingredients

Ingredients

  • 2 15 oz canned white beans
  • 2 TBSP olive oil
  • 2 carrots chopped small
  • 1/2 yellow onion chopped small
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp dried sage
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 russet potato peeled and diced small
  • 3 cups chopped kale
  • 1 cup canned coconut milk sub heavy cream or half and half
  • 1/2 lemon for juice
  • parsley, chopped optional, for garnish

Instructions

  • Drain and rinse one can of white beans, and blend/mash the other can (including its juices) until smooth. Set aside.

  • In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the carrot, onion, and celery with a pinch of salt. Cook for 5-8 minutes until the veggies are fragrant and softened.

  • Add the garlic, oregano, thyme, sage, paprika, red pepper flakes (if using), salt and pepper. Stir well, cooking for about a minute until the garlic is fragrant.

  • Add the chicken broth, white beans, and potato and stir well. Bring to a simmer then cover and reduce the heat. Cook for 12-15 minutes, until the potato is fork tender.

  • Once the diced potatoes are tender, add the kale and cook for 3-5 minutes until it is wilted. Turn off the heat and stir in the canned coconut milk and lemon juice, then taste and add more salt as needed (this will depend on how salty your broth is!).

  • Assemble. Separate the soup into three meal prep containers and top with parsley (optional). Let the soup cool completely before storing. That’s it!

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Please leave a comment below on the blog or share a photo with us and tag @workweeklunch! Can’t wait to see what you made!

Creamy White Bean Soup - Workweek Lunch (2024)

FAQs

Are bean soups healthy? ›

They're a great of plant-based protein, fiber, iron and antioxidants. Eating beans on a regular basis can help in maintaining a healthy weight, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and supporting your gut health. Soups is an easy and delicious way to enjoy these health benefits of beans.

How do you thicken white bean soup? ›

In a separate bowl, dissolve a teaspoon or two of cornstarch or all-purpose flour in a small amount of cold water. Add the slurry to the bubbling soup. The soup should thicken up. Add more cornstarch or flour as needed until the soup reaches your desired consistency.

What if my bean soup needs more flavor? ›

Before serving, season with additional salt, to taste.
  • Spices. A blend of favorites to give the soup big-time flavor, including smoked paprika. ...
  • Fire-Roasted Tomatoes. One of my pantry staples! ...
  • Red Wine Vinegar. For a touch of acid and brightness. ...
  • Parmesan Cheese. The perfect finish for a touch of creaminess.
Feb 16, 2024

How to thicken 15 bean soup? ›

It's so simple to thicken 15 Bean Soup!
  1. Remove a cup of cooked beans and some of the broth and puree it in a blender.
  2. Add the blended beans back into the pot for thicker stock.
Dec 18, 2021

Can you eat bean soup every day? ›

Research shows that consuming a cup of legumes every day is effective in reducing blood sugar levels (7). Helps fight cancer. Beans contain several phenolic compounds that have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

What is the healthiest soup you can eat? ›

6 delicious and healthy soups
  • Chicken Vietnamese Pho.
  • Green spring minestrone.
  • Herb and yoghurt-based soup.
  • Lamb shank and barley soup.
  • Pumpkin soup with star croutons.
  • Lentil and vegetable soup with crusty bread.
Apr 26, 2020

Are white beans and navy beans the same? ›

White beans are a group of legumes with white casings and starchy insides which include navy beans, cannellini beans, “great northern” beans, and lima beans. Navy beans, great northern beans, and cannellini beans are grown from the Phaseolus vulgaris plant, while lima beans are grown on the Phaseolus lunatus plant.

How can I make my soup thicker and creamy? ›

6 ways to thicken soup:
  1. Blend all or part of it. If you've made a broth with chunks of vegetable in it, such as minestrone soup, then pour the soup through a sieve. ...
  2. Add cream or yogurt. ...
  3. Add flour or cornflour. ...
  4. Use a butter and flour paste. ...
  5. Blend in bread. ...
  6. Add lentils or rice. ...
  7. 5 of the best soup recipes to try next:

Why is my bean soup so watery? ›

Sometimes soup just needs to simmer longer to reach the perfect consistency. Check to see if the vegetables are tender, and then taste the broth. If the soup tastes a bit watery, give it more time.

What does vinegar do to bean soup? ›

Wait until the beans are tender but not quite done to add a splash of apple cider vinegar and a couple teaspoons of salt to the pot. The apple cider vinegar breaks down indigestible sugars to help digestion and also brightens the flavor of the beans without the need for excess salt.

What is the most important ingredient in soup? ›

For clear, brothy soups, stock is your most important ingredient. If you want to make a good soup, you need to use an excellently flavored stock — otherwise, the entire pot could be tasteless.

What does lemon juice do to soup? ›

In this case, however, the lemon provides more of a flavor undertone that enhances other seasonings like thyme, parsley, and turmeric. According to trained chef Leetal Arazi, who spoke with Real Simple, you can bring a "zesty flavor" to your soup simply by adding lemon.

Can I use white beans to thicken soup? ›

You can also thicken soup by puréeing it with cooked beans or lentils. White beans like cannellini beans or navy beans are especially good for puréeing. This recipe for Creamy Italian White Bean Soup is a great place to start. Puréeing hearty winter vegetables like butternut and kabocha squash will also do the trick.

Can you use instant potatoes to thicken bean soup? ›

This soup-thickening hack couldn't be easier. Unlike using flour, which requires either making a little roux before you start cooking or a beurre manié afterwards, or using a cornstarch slurry that can create a gloppy texture, the instant mashed potato flakes can simply be sprinkled into the finished dish.

What to eat with bean soup? ›

What to Serve with Navy Bean Soup - 36 Best Side Dishes
  • Cornbread.
  • Cornbread Muffins.
  • 30 Minute Dinner Rolls.
  • Dutch Oven No Knead Sourdough Bread.
  • Rosemary Cheddar Biscuits.
  • Homemade Breadsticks.
  • Cheesy Garlic Bread.
  • Foccacia.
Feb 19, 2024

What is the difference between soup beans and bean soup? ›

What's the difference between Soup Beans and bean soup? The differences lie in the ingredients and the texture. Soup beans are beans that are slowly simmered in water for a couple of hours until they're soft and tender. The beans are flavored with ham, onion and garlic.

Is bean broth good for you? ›

Bean broth, the baby brother of bone broth. The best sturdy, protein-packed base for all your soups and sauces. This vegan bean broth is so rich in flavor, it is great to have just as it is or as a soup base. It is nutrious and easy to make, you just need some patience.

Is bean soup good for your heart? ›

Eating beans has been shown to reduce high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity, which are all key risk factors for heart disease.

Is ham and bean soup healthy for weight loss? ›

It is a good source of protein, fiber, and vitamins. The soup is also low in fat and calories. The soup is a great way to get a healthy meal on the table without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. It is also a great way to use up leftover vegetables.

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