Better than the canned version 30 minute Bean with Bacon Soup Recipe takes a big shortcut using canned beans. It doesn't take hours to make, but minutes instead! If you like the slow cooked flavor you get from a pot of beans but don't have the time, this recipe is for you.
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What makes this recipe irresistible
Campbell's Bean with Bacon soup was a childhood favorite. This recipe is even better!
It has all the flavor of a slow-cooked bean soup, BUT it only takes 30 minutes to make! It's a great recipe and a quick meal to make!
Ingredients you'll need
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- This soup doesn't use dry beans but canned white beans, great Northern beans or cannelloni beans - but you could certainly cook a batch of navy beans.
- thick cut bacon
- carrot, yellow onion, garlic
- Italian seasoning
- black pepper, red pepper flakes
- white wine - the wine is optional but it adds a layer of flavor.
- Chicken broth, ham stock or vegetable stock. You can even use water in a pinch.
- Olive oil - though you could use the bacon grease. That would add even more bacon flavor, yum!
- lemon and minced parsley for garnish, optional
Creative variations to try
- Add savory tomato puree or tomato paste to the beans.
- Adding Rotel diced tomatoes will spice up the soup!
- Substitute pinto beans for white beans - delicious!
- If you want to stretch it even further you could add additional chicken stock, however I like a good thick bean soup.
- Skip the bacon and use a ham bone instead. You may want to use a touch of liquid smoke. Try just the tiniest bit, it's super strong.
Step-by-step instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
Step 1 - Slice the bacon into a small dice. Add to a Dutch oven on the stove. Sauté on medium heat and crisp the bacon.
When the bacon is crispy, remove it from the pan with a slotted spoon, Place it on a paper towel and allow it to drain. Remove excess grease from the pan, leaving the browned bits, if necessary add a tablespoon of olive oil into the pan.
Step 2 - While the bacon is cooking, chop the onion, peel and dice the carrot, mince the garlic.
Add the onions and carrots to the pan. Season the vegetables with the Italian seasoning, pepper and red pepper flakes. Sauté over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables start to soften and begin to brown. Add the minced garlic and saute another minute.
Deglaze the pan with a couple tablespoons of white wine, being sure to scrape the brown bits off the bottom.
Step 3 - Open the cans of beans. Drain three cans and rinse them well, set them aside to drain. Open the fourth can; do not drain. Pour the 3 cans of drained beans into a blender. Add ¼ cup chicken stock. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Now add the reserved beans, the blend of beans and remaining chicken stock to the stock pot. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil.
Step 4 - Reduce heat to medium and simmer at a low bubble for 10 minutes. Add the crispy bacon back in and give it a good stir. Check the seasoning. Remove from the heat and add in a squeeze of lemon and minced parsley.
Essential tools for this recipe
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- Be sure to freeze a quart, these container are great for freezing soups and stews.
- This soup pot is just the right size for making soups and stews.
- You have a good set of wooden spoons, right?
- Measuring spoons, these are great because they fit in the spice jars!
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
Use the pureed beans to thicken the stew.
It does! Copycat Campbell's Bean with Bacon Soup freezes great and the recipe can be easily doubled.
You can use an immersion blender if you'd prefer not to dirty extra dishes.
Deb's tips for the perfect dish
Though optional, do not skip the step of finishing the soup with lemon and parsley. It brightens the flavors and ultimately elevates the stew!
- This is a great make ahead meal - beans soups typically taste even better on day two!
- Easy and completely delicious this soup has all the flavor you normally get when bean soup is cooked all day long!
- Like that squeeze of lemon, a few dashes of Tabasco sauce adds amazing flavor!
Recipes for more of our favorite soups
Looking for more delicious soups? Here are some of my favorites.
More yummy bean soup recipes on the blog are Ham and Bean Soup, Pinto Bean Soup Recipe or the 15 Bean Soup with ham. Hearty legume soup and a family favorites!
And don't forget the Vegetarian Lentil Soup, or the Potato Soup Recipe. Both are quick 30-minute meals.
If you're new to making soup, find all the best tips here - Homemade Soups; A Complete Guide.
Serving suggestions
Are you wondering what goes with soup? Here are my suggestions to round out your meal!
Love the soup? Awesome! Please leave a comment below!
Homemade Bean with Bacon Soup
Ingredients
- 4 14.5 oz cans white beans Open 3 cans drain, rinse set aside. Open 4th can do not drain.
- 4 slices thick cut bacon diced
- 1 carrot peeled & diced
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- pinch of red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons white wine
- 2 cups chicken stock - divided
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ tablespoon lemon and 1 tablespoon minced parsley optional
Instructions
- Slice the bacon into a small dice. Add to a heavy bottom pan on the stove. After the bacon is diced and added to the pan, turn it on medium heat. Starting the pan cold and cooking it slowly will allow the fat to render from the bacon. Cook bacon until crispy. This will take 10-15 minutes.
- While the bacon is cooking, chop the onion, peel and dice the carrot, mince the garlic. Open the cans of beans. Drain three cans and rinse them well, set them aside to drain. Open the fourth can, do not drain. Pour the 3 cans of drains beans into a blender. Add ¼ cup chicken stock. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- When the bacon is crispy, remove it from the pan with a slotted spoon, Place it on a paper towel and allow it to drain. Remove the excess grease from the pan, but be sure to leave the browned bits, if necessary add a tablespoon of olive oil into the pan.
- Add the onions and carrots to the pan. Season the vegetables with the Italian seasoning, pepper and red pepper flakes. Sauté over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables start to soften and begin to brown. Add the minced garlic and saute another minute.
- Next deglaze the pan with a couple tablespoons of white wine, being sure to scrape the brown bits off the bottom.
- Now add the reserved beans, blended beans and remaining chicken stock to the stock pot. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer at a low bubble for 10 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Add the bacon back in and give it a good stir. Check the seasoning. You may need to add salt, but only ½ teaspoon at the most.
- Remove from the heat and add in a squeeze of lemon & parsley. Adding this at the end will brighten the flavors in this delicious soup!
Notes
- Add canned tomatoes with the beans.
- Adding Rotel diced tomatoes will spice up the soup!
- Substitute pinto beans for white beans - delicious!
- Finishing the soup with a squeeze of lemon minced fresh parsley will add bright fresh flavor!
- If you want to stretch it even further you could add additional chicken stock, however I like a good thick bean soup.
Angela @marathonsandmotivation.com says
Sounds amazing! I pinned it tor try, thanks for sharing at Sunday Fitness & Food 🙂
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Angela, I really appreciate it, thanks for stopping by!
Jennifer A Stewart says
January is always my favorite month because I can eat soup all the time! chilly weather and sweat pants are perfect for my not so ready beach body. Hearty soups are the way to go!!
Bowl Me Over says
Yup, right with you there! Soup is good food!
Michaela Kenkel says
One of my hubby's favorites!!
Bowl Me Over says
Then he will appreciate a big bowl of this yummy soup! 😀 Thanks for stopping by Michaela!
Aunt Bee says
I am sick today and now all I want is a bowl of this delicious soup! Looks AMAZING!
Bowl Me Over says
I hope someone made it for you! I'm fighting a cold today too, UGH!! Enjoy that soup!
Justine says
Perfect winter meal!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Justine!
Lisa@Lisa's Dinnertime Dish says
I love bean with bacon soup and I love that your recipe can be made in such a short amount of time. It looks absolutely delicious!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Lisa! I'm such a fan of soup (obviously!) I hope you give this recipe a try!
Julie says
I love this recipe! It used to be my favorite canned soup until I looked at the nutrition label! Now I have a delicious go to that I can put together at home.
Bowl Me Over says
I know - all that sodium? No thanks - draining and rinsing the beans helps a ton. I hope you give this easy soup a try - so yummy!
Christie says
I love bean soup. I grew up with a pot after the holidays. Always used the hock to make the soup more delicious.
Bowl Me Over says
Me too Christie - we always had a pot-o-beans simmering on the stove. I love that this makes it even easier!
Debi at Life Currents says
This soup looks fantastic! I agree, I don't have time to cook dried beans. Besides, canned ones are always good! No worries there. My favorite soup is probably broccoli cheese. Maybe I'm saying that because it's the last soup I made. Potato cheese is also a favorite. Hmmm, I notice a cheese theme!
Bowl Me Over says
Never have too much cheese Debi - just puts a meal right over the edge!
Elizabeth says
What a gorgeous winter warmer soup this is! Just the perfect thing for after those chilly hill walks.
Bowl Me Over says
Just got done with a brisk walk myself - great way to warm up I so agree!
Allison - Celebrating Sweets says
I haven't had bean and bacon soup since I was a child. I'll have to try this!
Bowl Me Over says
You know I understand that. The canned version was often on the table when we were kids. I love this delicious fresh soup!
Kristina @ Love & Zest says
I love soup this time of year! This recipe looks like a winner.
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Kristina, I hope you give it a try!
Platter Talk says
Bean and ham is our "go to" soup when the weather is bitter- like NOW! Thanks so much. Going to soak some beans right now!
Bowl Me Over says
That's the beauty of this meal - no soaking required! Just use a quick pantry shortcut! You guys stay warm, looks like it's soup weather in Wisconsin!
Boastful Food says
You said the magic word-BACON! I love soups like this. Perfect for the chilly temps we've been getting in my neck of the woods here in Seattle:)
Bowl Me Over says
My folks live just outa Portland and you guys in the Pacific Northwest have been getting some ugly weather. Stay warm and enjoy this soup!
Lois says
I made this yesterday and was even better than it looks. Had some left over froze some for lunch another day and had some at noon today and was even better today. So easy to make. Thank you
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful! I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as we did - such a yummy, easy soup. Thanks for letting me know!!
Lois says
This just looks so good I'm going to make it this afternoon. Love bean soup.
Bowl Me Over says
Awesome Lois swing back by and let me know what you think!!