Description
Hearty Navy Bean Soup celebrates classic comfort with rich, smoky ham and tender legumes simmered to perfection. Warm spices and creamy beans create a satisfying meal you’ll savor down to the last comforting spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Beans:
- 3 (15 ounces / 425 grams) cans navy beans, rinsed and drained
- 4 slices center-cut bacon, chopped
Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 large carrot, chopped
- 1 large celery stalk, chopped
- 3 cups baby spinach
Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:
- 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary (or a bouquet garni)
Instructions
- Pulverize one can of navy beans with water to create a smooth, creamy liquid base for the soup.
- Render bacon in a cooking vessel until it transforms into crispy, golden fragments, then extract and reserve for garnishing.
- Introduce diced onions, julienned carrots, and chopped celery into the same cooking surface, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and tender.
- Incorporate tomato paste to deepen the flavor profile, stirring to integrate thoroughly with the vegetable medley.
- Combine the bean puree, whole navy beans, aromatic broth, fragrant rosemary sprigs, and bay leaves into the pot, creating a rich, layered liquid foundation.
- Simmer the mixture gently, allowing ingredients to meld and develop complex flavors, typically requiring 20-25 minutes of cooking time.
- Extract and discard the rosemary and bay leaves to prevent overwhelming herbal notes.
- Utilize an immersion blender to partially liquify approximately two cups of the soup, reintroducing the blended portion to enhance overall texture and consistency.
- Fold fresh spinach leaves into the hot soup, allowing them to wilt and integrate seamlessly.
- Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, crowning each portion with the previously crisped bacon fragments for a satisfying crunch and additional flavor dimension.
Notes
- Experiment with different bean varieties like cannellini or great northern beans for unique flavor profiles and textures.
- For a vegetarian version, replace bacon with smoked paprika or liquid smoke to maintain a rich, smoky undertone.
- Freeze extra portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months, ensuring a quick and convenient meal for busy days.
- Boost protein content by adding diced chicken or ham, making the soup more filling an
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg