Three-Bean Soup Recipe (2024)

By Martha Rose Shulman

Three-Bean Soup Recipe (1)

Total Time
2 hours 30 minutes
Rating
4(164)
Notes
Read community notes

Inspired by some beautiful heirloom cannellini beans I had in my pantry, I decided to combine them with the favas that are just about to disappear from markets and the green beans that will be around into the fall. I cook the favas and green beans separately and stir them into the soup a few minutes before serving so they’ll retain their bright green color.

Featured in: Soups That Taste Like Spring

Learn: How to Cook Beans

Learn: How to Make Soup

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • ½pound (1 heaped cup) white beans, like navy beans or cannellini, washed, picked over and soaked overnight or for 6 hours
  • 1bay leaf
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 2tablespoons olive oil
  • 1medium onion, cut in half, half finely chopped
  • 6garlic cloves, 2 peeled, 4 minced
  • 1large carrot, diced
  • 1celery stalk, diced
  • 1red bell pepper, diced
  • A bouquet garni made with a few sprigs each parsley and mint, and, if desired, a Parmesan rind
  • ½pound green beans, ends trimmed
  • 1pound fava beans, shelled and skinned
  • 2tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 2tablespoons chopped fresh mint
  • Freshly grated Parmesan for garnish

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

407 calories; 9 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 5 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 67 grams carbohydrates; 21 grams dietary fiber; 18 grams sugars; 24 grams protein; 766 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Three-Bean Soup Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Drain the white beans and combine with 7 cups water, the intact half of the onion, the 2 peeled garlic cloves and the bay leaf in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, skim off any foam that rises and reduce the heat. Cover and simmer 1 hour, until the beans are just tender. Add salt to taste and freshly ground pepper.

  2. Step

    2

    In a heavy soup pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the chopped onion, carrot and celery. Cook, stirring, until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes, and add the garlic and the red bell pepper. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the beans with their liquid and the bouquet garni, and bring back to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 1 hour, until the beans and vegetables are tender and the broth is aromatic. Taste and adjust salt. Add freshly ground pepper.

  3. Step

    3

    Meanwhile, rinse out the saucepan you started the beans in, fill halfway with water and bring to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice water. When the water in the saucepan comes to a boil, add salt to taste and drop in the green beans. Boil 4 minutes, and then transfer the beans to the ice water without draining the pot, using a slotted spoon or strainer. Drain the beans and cut in 1-inch pieces. Bring the water in the saucepan back to a boil and shell and skin the favas.

  4. Step

    4

    Shortly before serving the soup, stir in the chopped parsley and mint, add the green beans and skinned favas and simmer for a few minutes. Serve, topped with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Tip

  • Advance preparation: The soup keeps for 3 or 4 days in the refrigerator. It's best if you add the herbs, favas and green beans just before serving.

Ratings

4

out of 5

164

user ratings

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Marilyn

Would it work to use canned cannelloni and fava beans with this recipe?

RH

Speedy method: I began with 1 cup of Bob's Red Mill blanched skinless fava beans boiled the dried beans in 3 cups of chicken stock for the recommended 45 minutes. Mash the beans slightly to thicken the base up. Meanwhile, I cooked the vegetables as recommended and combined them with the fava beans and broth. Lacking fresh mint, I stuck with plenty of chopped fresh parsley. The parmesan cheese was pretty and aromatic. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the result.

Martha Rose Shulman

The favas have been blanched to peel them. Note that these are fresh favas (so you can't make the soup unless they are in season). Here is a link that will tell you how to blanch and peel them (the outer skin has to come off). http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/13/health/nutrition/13recipehealth.html?_...

Sfrupe

I'm going to save this for the next time I have favas in my garden. For a less labor-intensive soup -- I think it would be lovely with English peas to replace the fava beans. Or maybe even some asparagus.

Mary J

I agree, so much work and so many pots and ingredients. I’ll just use chicken stock and canned beans, fresh blanched green beans and frozen peas. Favs beans and dried navy beans are too time consuming.

Cat

Can I substitute the fava beans with lima beans? If so, will that change when I add them?

Sfrupe

I'm going to save this for the next time I have favas in my garden. For a less labor-intensive soup -- I think it would be lovely with English peas to replace the fava beans. Or maybe even some asparagus.

Lisa

So good! But I confess- used one can of cannelli and my chicken stock- deglazed with white wine first. My bouquet garni was parsley, sage and oregano! Parm rind added a lot... (also didn't have mint...)

Marilyn

Would it work to use canned cannelloni and fava beans with this recipe?

RH

Speedy method: I began with 1 cup of Bob's Red Mill blanched skinless fava beans boiled the dried beans in 3 cups of chicken stock for the recommended 45 minutes. Mash the beans slightly to thicken the base up. Meanwhile, I cooked the vegetables as recommended and combined them with the fava beans and broth. Lacking fresh mint, I stuck with plenty of chopped fresh parsley. The parmesan cheese was pretty and aromatic. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the result.

Kathy

Ms Shulman, I assume you are talking about 1# of fava bean after prep.

Renee

The background of mint is incredible! My husband is allergic to green beans, so I subbed dived zucchini, which was bright green and wonderful! A super pretty spring soup which is highly adaptable to your needs.

CYW

So. Much. Work.

Peter

Somewhere between steps 3 and 4 I got lost. Are the favas added raw? I have never cooked them, so I don't know.

Martha Rose Shulman

The favas have been blanched to peel them. Note that these are fresh favas (so you can't make the soup unless they are in season). Here is a link that will tell you how to blanch and peel them (the outer skin has to come off). http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/13/health/nutrition/13recipehealth.html?_...

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Three-Bean Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why do you add vinegar to bean soup? ›

Wait until the beans are tender but not quite done to add a splash of apple cider vinegar and a couple teaspoons of salt to the pot. The apple cider vinegar breaks down indigestible sugars to help digestion and also brightens the flavor of the beans without the need for excess salt.

Why is my bean soup so watery? ›

Sometimes soup just needs to simmer longer to reach the perfect consistency. Check to see if the vegetables are tender, and then taste the broth. If the soup tastes a bit watery, give it more time.

Is canned bean soup healthy? ›

They are an excellent source of fiber, plant-based protein, and other essential nutrients, such as folate and potassium. Despite the potential for contamination, canned beans are generally safe to consume and prove to be a convenient and nutritious alternative to dried beans.

What's the difference between bean soup and soup beans? ›

These are two different things. Soup beans are simmered for hours and are served as an entrée with corn bread, greens, and often fried potatoes, and they are thick with beans and ham stock derived from hocks or other bones. Soup beans are not soup.

Why throw away water after soaking beans? ›

Some people say that if you discard the soaking water you won't get gas. That's not quite correct. You WILL discard nutrients. The gas comes because if you don't eat beans all the time, your body is not familiar with them and the sugars and amino acids cause a little rumble in your stomach.

How do you get the gas out of bean soup? ›

While not every recipe calls for soaking beans before cooking them, if beans give you gas, soaking can help. Soaking overnight and then discarding the soaking water leaches out sugars in beans that are responsible for gas production.

What if my bean soup needs more flavor? ›

A few great choices are thyme, bay leaf, parsley, and rosemary. 4. Try adding some acidity. A splash of lemon juice or a tablespoon of white wine vinegar can brighten the flavors of the soup.

Can you overcook beans in soup? ›

So, [overcooking] certainly can take away from the flavor and make beans taste bad. But, if you overcook your beans, don't worry! Just add some seasoning (especially salt) to help mask that off-putting texture.

Should I drain my beans for soup? ›

The bean liquid may contain a small amount extra sodium that you may not want in your recipe as well. Ultimately, the choice to drain or not is mostly personal preference.

Can you eat bean soup everyday? ›

Absolutely, bean soup can be a fantastic addition to your daily diet, but like everything, it should be consumed in moderation and as part of a balanced diet. Rich in Fiber: Beans are a stellar source of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

What is the healthiest soup to eat? ›

6 delicious and healthy soups
  • Chicken Vietnamese Pho.
  • Green spring minestrone.
  • Herb and yoghurt-based soup.
  • Lamb shank and barley soup.
  • Pumpkin soup with star croutons.
  • Lentil and vegetable soup with crusty bread.
Apr 26, 2020

Should I rinse canned beans for bean soup? ›

Unless the recipe tells you to keep the canned beans in their liquid, you should drain your can and give the beans a good rinse before using. This will improve the flavor and texture of your finished dish. Open your cans of beans using a can opener. There may be sharp edges from opening the can.

What thickens bean soup? ›

Yes, you can use flour to thicken bean soup. Start by making a slurry with flour and cold water, then add it to the soup and stir well. Allow the soup to simmer for a few minutes to cook out any raw flour taste.

What does vinegar do to beans? ›

Acids such as vinegar make hemicelluloses more stable and less soluble, which might slow down the softening of beans. So to make sure your red beans are at their creamiest, add the vinegar later in the cooking process, or just use it to season them at the table.

Why do chefs put vinegar in soup? ›

Think of vinegar as the conductor of an orchestra. It can take a cacophony of flavors and sync them into perfect harmony. It both balances and awakens them. Plus, if you accidentally add too much salt to your soup, a little vinegar will tame the saltiness.

Does adding vinegar to beans reduce gas? ›

"Gas production is normal, albeit for some people, uncomfortable." Bottom line: Adding baking soda or vinegar to your soaking beans might help reduce the oligosaccharide content and there are no negative side effects associated with doing so, so it could be worth trying.

When should you add vinegar to soup? ›

Peterson said, "When you're tasting and it appears that the flavors in a recipe are refusing to focus, a little vinegar will often do the trick." The Kitchn concurs that vinegar is a "one ingredient" fix when your soup does not meet your taste bud's expectations. But don't overdo it.

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