From the recipe box
White Bean Soup
Thai and Southeast Asian plates, grain bowls, and cross-cultural recipes from the wider kitchen.
- Protein
- White Beans
- Meal format
- Global Food & Fusion
- Base
- Bread
Tomato, Onion, Carrot, Zucchini, Spinach, Broccoli, Celery, Kale
From my kitchenCook this meal
Ingredients & method
- Prep
- 15 mins
- Cook
- 32 mins
- Total
- 47 mins
- Serves
- 2
Beans & Base
- 1½ cupscooked white beans
OR
- ¾ cupdried white beans, soaked overnight and cooked until tender
Vegetables
- 1medium onion, diced
- 2medium tomatoes, chopped
- ¼ cupmarinara sauce
Optional additions:
- 1medium carrot, diced
- 1small zucchini, diced
- 1 cupspinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cupbroccoli florets
- 1celery stalk, diced
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoonolive oil
- 2–3garlic cloves, minced
- 3–4 cupsvegetable broth or water
- to tasteSalt
- ½ teaspoonblack pepper
- 1 teaspoonfresh rosemary or thyme
Notes & Tips
- White beans come with many names depending on where you shop — cannellini beans, white kidney beans, great northern beans, navy beans, or white broad beans can all work beautifully in this recipe.
- Keep the seasoning simple! The flavor comes from the beans, olive oil, tomatoes, onions, and herbs rather than a long list of spices.
- The small splash of marinara sauce is optional but highly recommended. Just ¼ cup for two servings adds a subtle tomato richness and depth.
- Rosemary and thyme are my favorite herbs for this soup, but feel free to skip them or use whatever fresh herbs you have on hand.
- Serves well with some toasted bread on the side!
Step by step
Method
- 01
If using dried white beans, soak them overnight, discard the soaking water, and cook them until tender before making the soup - (cook for 0 minutes on high pressure on Instant Pot, they are a sensitive bean).
- 02
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- 03
Add rosemary or thyme (if using) and let it warm in the oil for a few seconds. This gently infuses the oil with the herb flavor.
- 04
Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- 05
Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent.
- 06
Add the tomatoes and cook until they begin to break down and become slightly saucy.
- 07
Add any optional vegetables like carrots, zucchini, or broccoli and cook for a few minutes till they’re tender.
- 08
Add the white beans, vegetable broth or water, salt, and black pepper. Stir well. Simmer for 15–20 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the flavors come together.
- 09
Stir in the ¼ cup marinara sauce. This small addition adds depth and richness without making the soup taste like pasta sauce.
- 10
Stir in spinach at the end and allow it to wilt for 1–2 minutes.
- 11
Taste and adjust salt if needed.
- 12
Serve warm with a drizzle of olive oil, fresh herbs, or cracked black pepper on top.
- 13
This simple White Bean Soup is cozy, hearty, and naturally creamy from the beans. It is a great example of a meal where a few simple ingredients come together beautifully.
