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This recipe for white bean soup tastes just like it came from grandma’s kitchen. Perfectly paired with crusty bread!

a bowl of white bean soup in a bowl

White bean soup is a healthy and hearty soup made with white beans, tender pork, and veggies. This recipe is pulled straight from my grandmother’s cookbook and will surely take you straight back to your childhood.

Cooked low and slow, this recipe will send a wave of amazing, savory smells through your entire house. It’s perfect batched for big parties or meal-prepped for quick lunches and dinners throughout the week.

Ingredients for white bean soup

How to Make White Bean Soup

Making white bean soup only requires a handful of wholesome ingredients and a little slow cooking. Below, find an overview of the recipe before you dive in.

  • Marinate the Pork: Slice the pork into 2-inch cubes. Place the cubes in a large bowl and cover them with sliced onions. Allow the meat to marinate in the fridge overnight.
  • Brown the Pork: Take the pork out of the fridge and remove the onions. In a large soup pot, brown the pork cubes on all sides. Add in the onions and carrots and sauté until golden brown.
  • Add Beans and Simmer: Add the white beans and hot water, lower the heat to a simmer, and cook for an hour and a half.
  • Sprinkle with Herbs and Serve: Remove the soup from heat and garnish with fresh dill. Serve in a big soup bowl and enjoy warm!

What kind of white beans should I use? There are so many different kinds of white beans – four to be exact. Cannellini beans, navy beans, and Great Northern Beans work best for this recipe.

browned pork in a pot
Pork, carrots and onion browned in a pot
beans added to the pot
liquids added to the pot with bean and pork

Tips for Making the Best White Bean Soup

Below, find some tips and tricks to help you make the best white bean soup. It’ll taste just like grandma’s!

  • Don’t skip marinating the meat overnight. Marinating the pork overnight will give it so much depth of flavor. Although not completely necessary, don’t skip this step if you can help it!
  • Cook the soup low and slow. Cooking the soup on a low simmer allows the meat to get nice and tender. If you shock it with high heat, the pork will turn rubbery and the veggies will turn to mush.
  • Add extra water or broth as needed. As the soup cooks, the beans tend to soak up the liquid. Add extra water or broth as necessary to compensate.
  • Use fresh herbs versus dried. Fresh dill makes all the difference. Add it at the very end so you don’t boil out its bright flavor.

Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Hack: Looking to “set it and forget it”? You can make this delicious soup in the slow cooker or Instant Pot. No matter which method you use, make sure to sear the pork and brown the veggies beforehand.

a bowl of white bean soup in a bowl with bread next to it

Serving White Bean Soup

Serve white bean soup for a light lunch or paired with a side for dinner. Like most hearty soups, it pairs well with fresh baguette or honey wheat bread. You can make it an even more well-rounded meal by serving it alongside a homemade caesar salad or Russian beet garlic salad.

Storing White Bean Soup

  • Refrigerator: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge. It should keep for up to a week. The kicker? The flavors will continue to develop as it sits in the fridge, making for tasty leftovers!
  • Freezer: To freeze leftover soup, allow it to first cool completely. Next, transfer it to a freezer-safe plastic bag or airtight container. It should keep for up to 3 months.

Reheating Tip: To reheat refrigerated white bean soup, warm it in a saucepan over low heat or zap it in the microwave. To reheat frozen white bean soup, thaw the white bean soup in the refrigerator overnight. Warm the same way you would refrigerated soup.

FAQ

Are Great Northern Beans the same as white beans?

Great Northern Beans are one of the four different types of white beans. The other three are cannellini, navy, and baby lima beans.

How do you thicken white bean soup?

There’s no need to add any thickeners like flour or corn starch to white bean soup. The starch from the beans will naturally thicken the soup.

How long do I need to soak white beans?

If you’re using dried beans instead of canned, you’ll need to soak them in cold water overnight. Once softened, drain the beans in a colander. Next, boil them in salted water for 1-2 hours, or until al dente.

What cut of pork is best for white bean soup?

Pork shoulder is the best cut of pork for slow-cooked white bean soup. You could also use pork sirloin. Both are lean, yet full of flavor and made super tender when slow-cooked.

Can I use beef instead of pork?

Yes, you can use beef instead of pork. Opt for chuck roast or stew meat.

More Tasty Soup Recipes

Recipe

a bowl of white bean soup in a bowl with bread next to it

Grandma’s White Bean Soup (The Best)

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Servings
12 servings
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin
This recipe for white bean soup tastes just like it came from grandma's kitchen. Perfectly paired with crusty bread!

Ingredients

  • 1 large onion for marinade
  • 1 lb pork
  • 1 large onion for the soup
  • 2 large carrots
  • 1 1/2 cup white beans
  • qt boiled water
  • 2 tbsp salt adjust to taste
  • 1 tbsp ground black pepper adjust to taste
  • 3 tbsp dill to garnish
  • 2 bay leaves optional
US Units – Metric

Instructions

  • Cut pork into 2-inch cubes. Slice one of the onions into rings and place directly on top of the pork. Press down on the onions lightly to squeeze out some of their juice. Place in the fridge to marinate overnight.
    pork with onions in a bowl
  • Take the pork out of the refrigerator. Remove the onions and throw them away. In an oiled soup pot over medium heat, sear the sides of the pork until they brown.
    browned pork in a pot
  • Add the diced onions and sliced carrots. Sauté until the veggies turn golden brown.
    Pork, carrots and onion browned in a pot
  • Add the white beans, bay leaves and boiled water. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for an hour and a half. Season with salt and pepper. Note: You may need to add more water, as the beans tend to absorb liquid.
    beans added to the pot
  • Remove the soup from heat. Garnish with fresh dill and enjoy!
    cooked white bean soup in a pot
Nutrition Facts
Grandma's White Bean Soup (The Best)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 143 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 3g15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 4g
Cholesterol 27mg9%
Sodium 1193mg50%
Potassium 301mg9%
Carbohydrates 9g3%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 9g18%
Vitamin A 1713IU34%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 36mg4%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted October 18, 2021

About Author

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Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.