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Cozy Bean with Bacon Soup Recipe

Cozy Bean with Bacon Soup Recipe

4.9 from 31 reviews

A hearty and comforting Cozy Bean with Bacon Soup featuring tender Great Northern beans simmered with crispy thick-cut bacon and aromatic vegetables in a flavorful chicken broth, perfect for a warming meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Beans and Broth

  • 1 cup Great Northern beans (dried)
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Meat

  • 6 oz thick-cut bacon

Vegetables and Seasonings

  • 1 medium onion (chopped)
  • 2 carrots (chopped)
  • 2 celery stalks (chopped)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Beans: Rinse the Great Northern beans under cold water to remove any debris. If using dried beans, soak them overnight in plenty of water to soften.
  2. Cook the Bacon: In a large pot over medium heat, cook the thick-cut bacon until crispy. Once done, remove the bacon pieces from the pot, but keep the flavorful bacon drippings in the pot for cooking the vegetables.
  3. Sauté the Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the bacon drippings and sauté for about five minutes until they begin to soften. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
  4. Combine Ingredients and Simmer: Return the crispy bacon to the pot. Add the soaked beans, low-sodium chicken broth, dried thyme, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  5. Cook the Soup: Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for about one hour, or until the beans are tender and the flavors have melded.
  6. Serve: Serve the soup hot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley for added color and freshness.

Notes

  • Soaking beans overnight reduces cooking time and improves digestibility.
  • For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and use vegetable broth.
  • Adjust salt according to the sodium content of the broth used.
  • Leftover soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
  • Adding a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice before serving can brighten the flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: Great Northern beans soup, bean and bacon soup, hearty winter soup, comforting soup recipe, bacon broth soup