Butter Bean Soup Recipe

Introduction

Butter Bean Soup is a comforting and hearty dish perfect for any season. This creamy, flavorful soup combines tender butter beans with aromatic vegetables and spices, making it a delicious and nutritious choice for home cooks.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
• 1 onion, diced (any color)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon Italian herb seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 medium-sized carrots, diced
• 2 medium-sized celery ribs, diced
• 2 cans (14oz/400 grams each) butter beans, drained
• 1 cup (240 ml) water
• 2 cups (480 ml) low sodium vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• ¾ teaspoon fine salt, or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to serve

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-based pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
2. Step 2: Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, Italian herb seasoning, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
3. Step 3: Add the diced carrots and celery to the pot, tossing to combine with the spices and onion mixture.
4. Step 4: Meanwhile, place 1 ½ cans of butter beans and 1 cup of water into a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
5. Step 5: Transfer the pureed beans and the remaining whole beans into the pot. Add the vegetable broth, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper.
6. Step 6: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover the pot, leaving the lid slightly ajar, and cook until the broth develops flavor and the beans and vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes.
7. Step 7: Turn off the heat, taste the soup, and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and freshly ground black pepper. Enjoy with crusty bread or croutons.

Tips & Variations

• For a thicker texture, blend more of the beans before adding them to the pot.
• Swap butter beans for cannellini or navy beans if preferred.
• Add a splash of lemon juice or a handful of fresh herbs like parsley for a fresh finish.
• Use homemade or low-sodium broth to better control the soup’s saltiness.

Storage

Store leftover butter bean soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a little water or broth if the soup has thickened. This soup can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this soup vegan?

Yes, this recipe is naturally vegan and uses vegetable broth, making it suitable for vegan diets.

What can I serve with butter bean soup?

Butter bean soup pairs well with crusty bread, garlic croutons, or a simple side salad for a complete and satisfying meal.

Butter Bean Soup Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 126 reviews

A comforting and hearty Butter Bean Soup made with creamy butter beans, fresh vegetables, and aromatic spices. This easy-to-make soup features a smooth blend of beans combined with whole beans and vegetables, simmered together to develop rich flavors. Perfect for a wholesome lunch or dinner served with crusty bread or croutons.

• Author: Leo
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Soup Base

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
• 1 onion, diced (any color)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon Italian herb seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Vegetables

• 2 medium-sized carrots, diced
• 2 medium-sized celery ribs, diced

Beans & Liquids

• 2 cans (14oz/400 grams each) butter beans, drained
• 1 cup (240 ml) water
• 2 cups (480 ml) low sodium vegetable broth

Seasonings

• 1 bay leaf
• ¾ teaspoon fine salt, or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to serve

Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a large heavy-based pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. This forms the flavorful base for the soup.
2. Add Garlic and Spices: Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, Italian herb seasoning, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, ensuring the spices bloom and bring depth to the soup.
3. Add Vegetables: Add the diced carrots and celery to the pot. Toss everything to combine so the vegetables are coated in the aromatic oil and spices.
4. Blend Beans: While the vegetables sauté, place 1½ cans of butter beans and 1 cup of water into a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth to create a creamy base for the soup.
5. Combine Ingredients: Transfer the pureed beans back to the pot along with the remaining whole butter beans. Add the low sodium vegetable broth, bay leaf, fine salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir to combine all ingredients.
6. Simmer Soup: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat. Then reduce the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover the pot, leaving the lid slightly ajar, and cook for about 25 minutes until the broth is flavorful and the beans and vegetables are tender.
7. Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Turn off the heat. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with extra salt or pepper if needed. Serve hot with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and freshly ground black pepper on top. Enjoy with crusty bread or croutons for a satisfying meal.

Notes

• For a thicker soup, blend more of the beans before adding them to the pot.
• Adjust cayenne pepper to your preferred spice level or omit if you prefer a milder soup.
• You can substitute vegetable broth with chicken broth if not vegetarian.
• Leftover soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and freezes nicely.
• Add fresh herbs like parsley or thyme as garnish for extra flavor.

Keywords: Butter Bean Soup, vegetarian soup, creamy bean soup, healthy soup, easy soup recipe, Mediterranean soup