Thick, smoky, and satisfying, this healthy bean soup recipe is the perfect meal for a chilly day! The easy 15 bean soup can be prepared on the stovetop, in the slow cooker, or in an Instant Pot for a convenient option that suits your schedule.
Garlic and onions will bolster the taste of bean soup. Be sure to take a portion of the beans and mash or purée them for extra texture. Aromatics like celery or carrot will add more complex flavor notes. Despite being expensive, both mushrooms and Parmesan cheese will add some real umami (i.e., mouth feel) to the soup.
Preparation and Storage Tips
- Storage: Store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. It’s a great make-ahead option for busy weeks.
- How to Freeze: This is a great freezer meal, so prepare a big pot and stick any leftovers in the freezer for a quick-prep lunch or dinner option. Allow the soup to cool to room temperature. Stored in an airtight container, the soup will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- How to Reheat: Place the soup in a pot and warm over a low flame, just until heated through. You can also microwave individual bowls for about 1-2 minutes.
- If you prefer a canned bean soup, try this easy ham and bean soup recipe.
- Forgot to soak your beans? You can still prepare the soup with dried beans, but you will need to extend the simmering time on the stovetop to give the beans ample time to soften. You may also need to add water to the pot as the beans simmer and plump up.
- If you’re looking for a recipe for bean soup with ham bone, this is our favorite version.
- I used petite diced tomatoes (since the kids prefer the smaller bites), but you can use regular diced tomatoes or other canned tomatoes of choice.
- For Cajun bean soup, add plenty of Cajun or Creole seasoning, as well as diced green bell pepper.
- Swap out the ham and use bacon, chicken, sausage, or ground beef for that extra bit of protein and flavor.
- For extra veggies, add fresh spinach at the very end or kale when there’s about 10 minutes left so that it has time to wilt in the hot soup.
- For a vegetarian bean soup, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Omit the ham, and add an extra ½ cup of dried beans. It will still be delicious! Season with cumin, salt, pepper or other spices, to add extra flavor to your liking.
- If possible, make this soup 1-2 days in advance. It just gets better as it sits in the refrigerator, and it will thicken up a lot as it cools!
- This recipe calls for a very small amount of salt, since ham is often salty on its own. Feel free to season the soup with additional salt and pepper at the end of cooking. You can always add more, but you never want it to be too salty!
- Spicy: add a dash of cayenne or garnish with crushed red pepper flakes.
- Garnish with fresh herbs or add extra herbs and seasoning to the pot. Good options include parsley, thyme, oregano, basil, cilantro, and rosemary. A dollop of sour cream or freshly shaved Parmesan cheese is also a nice finishing touch.
How to Add Flavor to Bland Bean Soup
Some bean soup recipes may be watered down or bland…but not this one! You’ll add layers of flavor to the soup by sauteing aromatics (like onion, carrots, celery, and garlic) in olive oil at the start.
The addition of ham not only makes it more hearty and satisfying, but also contributes great smoky, salty flavor to the dish. Finally, season liberally with dried or fresh herbs to really make the soup stand out!
This is a quick overview of the ingredients that you’ll need for a pot of bean soup. As always, specific measurements and complete cooking instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.
- Dried beans: I use a 15 bean mix, but you can use 16 bean mix, 10 bean soup mix, navy beans, cannellini beans (or other white beans), pinto beans, kidney beans, or other similar beans instead.
- Olive oil: to sauté the vegetables.
- Carrots, celery, onion, and garlic: aromatics that add tons of flavor to the soup.
- Broth: I prefer chicken broth or chicken stock, but you can substitute with vegetable broth or vegetable stock as well. For a real treat, use homemade chicken broth!
- Ham: use leftover ham from a holiday meal, or purchase smoked ham at the grocery store. I like to use thick-cut boneless ham steaks when I don’t have leftovers to enjoy. You can also use a smoked ham hock or a leftover ham bone to achieve that same smoky flavor.
- Petite diced tomatoes: add extra flavor and nutrients to bulk up the soup.
- Salt and ground black pepper: use sparingly, and season as you go. The ham and broth can be quite salty on their own.
- Bay leaves: give the soup an earthy flavor that makes it taste like it’s been simmering for days — even if you cook it quickly in the Instant Pot!
Easy Three Bean Soup
FAQ
How do you fix bland bean soup?
What can I add to my soup to make it tastier?
How do I fix bland tasting soup?
How do you deepen soup Flavour?
How do you add flavor to bean soup?
There are so many things to add flavor to bean soup: Broth. Fresh garlic and onions. Tomatoes. Spices and herbs. Salt. Don’t be afraid of salt! Salt is necessary to maintain proper fluid balance in our bodies.
How do you add flavor to a bland soup?
Another great way to add great flavor to a bland soup is to make a garlic paste. Not store-bought, but homemade crushed garlic and salt paste that you can add to your soup. Along with the simmering of this in your soup, your soup will evaporate slightly, and the flavors will burst through.
How do you fix Bland soup?
There are some simple and effective ways to fix bland soup. Some of the best ways include adding in cream, cheese, Worcestershire sauce, fish sauce, and other herbs and spices. What you add in will depend on the flavors in the soup, and the textures you’re after.
How do you make a bean soup taste better?
A bland bean soup can be rejuvenated and enhanced in numerous ways. Introducing acids like lemon juice, vinegar, or even a touch of yogurt can inject a burst of freshness into the soup. Freshly chopped herbs such as parsley, cilantro, or dill can also impart a refreshing aroma and taste.