There’s nothing like a steaming bowl of my cozy one-pot white bean soup to chase away the winter blues. This recipe has been my go-to comfort food for years – it’s the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out with minimal effort. Just toss everything into one pot and let the magic happen! Packed with protein-rich white beans, savory turkey bacon, and garden-fresh veggies, it’s as nourishing as it is delicious. My kids always ask for seconds when I make this, especially on those rainy afternoons when we’re all curled up on the couch. The best part? Your kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly while it simmers away.
Why You’ll Love This Cozy One-Pot White Bean Soup
Let me tell you why this soup has become my winter staple (and why you’ll adore it too!):
- One-pot wonder: Everything cooks together in a single pot, less cleanup means more time to enjoy your meal
- Comfort in every spoonful: Hearty beans, savory turkey bacon and aromatic herbs create that perfect cozy flavor
- Meal prep magic: Makes fantastic leftovers that taste even better the next day
- Good for you: Packed with protein and fiber to keep you full and satisfied
Honestly, what’s not to love? It’s like getting a warm hug from your favorite pot!
PrintCozy One-Pot White Bean Soup Recipe for 4 Hearty Bowls
A warm and comforting one-pot white bean soup that’s easy to make and perfect for chilly days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried white beans, soaked overnight
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 slices turkey bacon, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add turkey bacon and cook until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté onion, carrots, and celery until softened.
- Add garlic and thyme, cook for 1 minute.
- Drain soaked beans and add them to the pot with vegetable broth and bay leaf.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour or until beans are tender.
- Remove bay leaf, season with salt and pepper, and stir in cooked turkey bacon.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- Soak beans overnight for best results.
- Adjust broth quantity for desired soup thickness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Ingredients for Cozy One-Pot White Bean Soup
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this soul-warming soup, I promise it’s all simple stuff you probably have already! The key is prepping your ingredients before you start cooking (my grandma called this “mise en place” and it saves so much stress).
- 2 cups dried white beans (soaked overnight, trust me, this makes all the difference in texture)
- 4 cups vegetable broth (homemade if you have it, but store-bought works great too)
- 1 medium onion, diced (I like yellow for sweetness, but any will do)
- 2 carrots, chopped into half-moons (no need to peel if they’re organic!)
- 2 celery stalks, chopped (don’t skip these, they add such good depth)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (or more if you’re a garlic fiend like me)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (rub it between your fingers first to wake up the oils)
- 1 bay leaf (the unsung hero of soups everywhere)
- 4 slices turkey bacon, chopped (this gives that smoky flavor without the grease)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for that perfect sauté)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste (wait until the end to season properly)
See? Nothing fancy, just honest ingredients that come together to create something magical. I always double check my mise en place before turning on the stove, it makes the cooking process so much smoother!
Equipment You’ll Need for Cozy One-Pot White Bean Soup
Good news, you probably have everything already! Here’s what I grab from my kitchen:
- Large pot (at least 5 quarts, this soup likes to bubble happily)
- Wooden spoon (my trusty sidekick for all those tasty stirs)
- Chef’s knife (for easy veggie chopping)
- Cutting board (safety first, friends!)
- Measuring cups & spoons (for those perfect proportions)
That’s it, no fancy gadgets required! Just these basics will get you a pot of cozy perfection.
How to Make Cozy One-Pot White Bean Soup
Alright, let’s get cooking! This soup comes together so easily, just follow these simple steps and you’ll have a pot of pure comfort in no time. I’ve made this dozens of times, and these are all my little tricks for getting it just right.
Step 1: Sauté the Turkey Bacon
First, grab your trusty pot and heat that olive oil over medium heat. Toss in your chopped turkey bacon, you’ll hear that satisfying sizzle! Cook it for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it gets nice and crispy. This is where the magic starts, that turkey bacon adds so much flavor to the whole dish. Once it’s perfectly crispy, scoop it out with a slotted spoon and set it aside (we’ll add it back later). Don’t wipe the pot, all those tasty browned bits will make your soup even better!
Step 2: Cook the Vegetables
Now, in that same flavorful pot, toss in your diced onion, chopped carrots, and celery. Cook them for about 5-7 minutes until they start to soften and smell amazing. You’ll know they’re ready when the onions turn translucent. Then add your minced garlic and thyme, oh, that aroma! Cook for just 1 minute more (garlic burns fast, so keep an eye on it). This step builds the flavor foundation for your whole soup.
Step 3: Simmer the Soup
Time for the main event! Drain your soaked beans (see, I told you soaking was important!) and add them to the pot along with the vegetable broth and bay leaf. Bring everything to a lively boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Let it bubble away uncovered for about 1 hour, the beans should be tender but not mushy. Stir occasionally and check the liquid level, you want it soupy but not watery. This slow simmer transforms simple ingredients into something magical.
Step 4: Final Touches
Almost there! Fish out that bay leaf (seriously, don’t forget, no one wants to bite into that!). Now’s the time to season with salt and pepper, start with a little, taste, and add more if needed. Finally, stir in that crispy turkey bacon you set aside earlier. The contrast of textures is just perfect! Let it all mingle for a couple minutes, then ladle it into bowls while it’s piping hot.
See? I told you it was easy! Now grab a spoon and dig into your homemade cozy masterpiece. If you are looking for more easy weeknight meals, check out some great options over at familytastes.com.
Tips for the Best Cozy One-Pot White Bean Soup
After making this soup more times than I can count, here are my foolproof secrets for absolute perfection:
- Soak those beans: Overnight soaking gives you creamy, tender beans every time (quick soak works in a pinch!)
- Broth control: Love a thicker soup? Use less broth. Prefer it brothy? Add an extra cup!
- Herb magic: Tie thyme stems with kitchen twine, makes fishing them out a breeze
- Leftover love: The flavors deepen overnight, it’s even better on day two!
Trust me, these little touches make all the difference between good soup and “wow” soup! If you are interested in other easy dinner ideas, you might enjoy this 5 ingredient tater tot casserole.
Ingredient Substitutions for Cozy One-Pot White Bean Soup
Don’t stress if you’re missing something, this soup is super flexible! Here are my favorite swaps:
- Canned beans: Use 3 cans (15 oz each) rinsed white beans, skip soaking and simmer just 20 minutes
- Vegetarian version: Omit turkey bacon and add ½ teaspoon smoked paprika for that smoky depth
- No fresh thyme? ½ teaspoon dried rosemary or oregano works beautifully
- Chicken broth works if you don’t have vegetable, just adjust salt accordingly
The beauty of this recipe? It’s hard to mess up, just make it work with what you’ve got! For more flexible recipes, check out this guide on 25 ground beef recipes.
Serving Suggestions for Cozy One-Pot White Bean Soup
Oh, let me tell you how I love to serve this soup, it’s all about the cozy vibes! A big hunk of crusty bread for dipping is absolutely essential, that golden, crunchy exterior soaking up the broth is pure heaven. For weeknight dinners, I’ll often pair it with a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the heartiness. And on really chilly nights? A sprinkle of Parmesan and some extra black pepper takes it over the top. My kids go wild when I serve it with garlic toast, the melted butter dripping into the soup is just too good!
Storing and Reheating Cozy One-Pot White Bean Soup
This soup keeps like a dream! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, the flavors actually improve overnight. When reheating, just warm gently on the stove with a splash of broth or water to loosen it up. I don’t recommend freezing the turkey bacon version (it gets rubbery), but the vegetarian version freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. Pro tip: Stir in a fresh squeeze of lemon when reheating to brighten up the flavors!
Nutritional Information for Cozy One-Pot White Bean Soup
Now, let’s talk about why this soup makes you feel so good! Packed with protein from the beans and turkey bacon, plus all those wonderful veggies, this is comfort food you can actually feel good about eating. The white beans give you a great fiber boost too, my nutritionist friend always beams when I tell her what’s in this recipe!
Just remember, exact nutrition facts can vary depending on your specific ingredients and brands. Things like the sodium content in your broth or the exact size of your veggies will change the numbers slightly. But here’s what I can promise, it’s a wholesome, balanced meal that’ll keep you full and satisfied without weighing you down. That’s why it’s become my go-to for both weeknight dinners and lunch meal prep!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cozy One-Pot White Bean Soup
I get questions about this soup all the time, here are the answers to everything you might be wondering! These are the same tips I give my friends when they text me panicking about their soup adventures.
Can I Use Canned Beans Instead of Dried?
Absolutely! I do this all the time when I’m in a hurry. Use 3 cans (15 oz each) of white beans, just rinse them well first. The big difference? You’ll only need to simmer everything for about 20 minutes since the beans are already cooked. And go easy on the broth, start with 3 cups instead of 4, then add more if it seems too thick.
How Can I Make This Soup Vegetarian?
Easy peasy! Just skip the turkey bacon and add ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika when you’re cooking the veggies, it gives that same smoky depth. My vegetarian sister swears this version is even better! For extra richness, you can stir in a tablespoon of olive oil at the end.
Can I Freeze This Soup?
You bet! The vegetarian version freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. Just cool it completely first, then pack it in freezer-safe containers leaving some headspace. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat gently on the stove. If it separates a bit, just give it a good stir, the beans will soak up that liquid again as it warms.
Why Did My Beans Stay Hard?
Oh no! This usually happens if your beans were old (check the expiration date!) or if you added salt too early. Next time, try soaking them with a pinch of baking soda, it helps soften them up. And always wait until the beans are tender before seasoning with salt.
Can I Add Other Vegetables?
Please do! This soup loves company. I often throw in chopped kale or spinach during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Sweet potatoes (diced small) are amazing in place of carrots too. The secret? Keep the total volume about the same so your broth-to-stuff ratio stays perfect.
Now It’s Your Turn!
I can’t wait to hear how your cozy soup turns out, snap a photo and tell me all about it in the comments!