White Bean Soup with Bacon l The Recipe Rebel

bacon

🥗Healthier: turkey bacon

💰Cheaper: smoked sausage

Turkey bacon reduces fat while still adding flavor.

chicken broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water with bouillon

Vegetable broth is lower in calories, while water with bouillon is more economical.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Canola oil is often less expensive.

parsley

🥗Healthier: cilantro

💰Cheaper: green onions

Green onions provide a fresh flavor at a lower cost.

Heat a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat.

Add the bacon and cook, stirring often, until crisp. Remove the bacon from the pot, but leave the fat in the pot.

Add carrots, celery, and onion to the pot and cook over medium-high heat until the onion is softened and beginning to brown, about 4-5 minutes.

Add the garlic, salt, thyme, oregano, parsley, paprika, pepper, and red pepper flakes, and cook for 1 minute.

Add broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to release any stuck-on bits.

Place the beans in a fine mesh sieve and rinse well. Place ¾ cup of beans in the blender with cream and blend until smooth.

Add the beans, bacon, and bean puree to the pot. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until vegetables are tender, about 10–15 minutes.

Stir in parmesan and optional parsley or spinach as desired. Taste and serve.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens