Bean Soup Template
Veggies | Protein
Servings 4
Equipment
Ingredients
Aromatics (use all of these!)
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 2-3 garlic cloves minced or pressed
- dried Italian herbs thyme, oregano, basil, rosemary, etc.
- smoked paprika large dash
- a few bay leaves it’s not the end of the world if you don’t have any
Tomatoey Things (choose at least one)
- diced tomatoes canned or fresh, about 1 can or 1-2 cups
- tomato paste a big squeeze
- miscellaneous tomatoey condiments in the fridge that need to get used up salsas, chutneys, marinara sauce, tapanades, pestos, etc.
Soup Veggies (choose any)
- carrots diced
- bell pepper diced
- celery sliced
- green beans chopped
- mushrooms sliced
- green cabbage shredded, add at the end of cooking
- kale, chard, or spinach chopped, add at the end of cooking
Extra Yummy Starchy Veggies
- butternut squash small dice
- potato or sweet potato small dice
Grains (optional, about 1/2 cup)
- rice (any kind) dry
- quinoa dry
- barley dry
- wheat berries dry
Beans (choose any, 2-3 cups)
- chickpeas cooked or canned
- white beans cooked or canned
- black beans cooked or canned
- lentils cooked or canned
Condiments & Seasonings
- 3-4 cups vegetable broth more or less to desired consistency
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh Italian herbs to garnish
Instructions
Sauté the Aromatics
- In a heavy bottomed soup pot, sauté the onions in a light splash of olive oil. If using carrots, celery, mushrooms, or bell peppers, throw those in at this stage too. Sautéing them brings out their flavor and natural sweetness.
- When they are translucent and yummy looking (about 7 minutes) add the garlic, herbs, and paprika and sauté for a minute or so, until fragrant.
Simmer & Meld
- Add the tomatoes, veggie broth, the rest of your desired veggies (except for greens and cabbage) and dry grains (if using).
- Simmer until the longest cooking veggies (usually potatoes or carrots) are soft and the grains are cooked.
- Add seasonings, condiments, beans, and greens (if using) and simmer for a few minutes to meld. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
Serve!
- Serve with avocado or a drizzle of good olive oil.
Notes
For a version of this soup that works well in the Instant Pot, click here.