Description
Northern bean soup delivers hearty comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen. Simmering with tender carrots and rich seasonings, this soup offers pure warmth and nourishment you’ll savor down to the last spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (453 grams) dried Great Northern beans
- 8 cups (1.9 liters) water
- 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Seasoning:
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Thoroughly cleanse the dried great northern beans, discarding any imperfect specimens, then submerge in a spacious cooking vessel with cold water.
- Elevate the liquid to a vigorous boil over high heat, then reduce temperature to generate a gentle, steady simmer for approximately 60 minutes, allowing beans to soften and become creamy.
- Introduce finely diced onions, precisely chopped carrots, aromatic minced garlic, fragrant dried thyme, and seasonings into the simmering bean mixture.
- Maintain a low, consistent heat for an additional 25-35 minutes, periodically stirring and monitoring bean tenderness until vegetables are perfectly softened and beans reach a delectable, creamy consistency.
- Taste the soup and meticulously adjust salt, pepper, and herb levels to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Ladle the steaming, hearty soup into warmed serving bowls, ensuring each portion captures a balanced blend of beans, vegetables, and aromatic broth.
- Serve immediately while piping hot, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs or a drizzle of high-quality olive oil for an elegant touch.
Notes
- Soak beans overnight to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility, making the soup easier on your stomach.
- Use low-sodium broth instead of water for a richer, more complex flavor profile that enhances the overall taste of the soup.
- For a protein boost, consider adding diced ham or bacon during the last 15 minutes of cooking, which brings a smoky depth to the dish.
- Transform this soup into a vegetarian or vegan version by using vegetable broth and skipping meat-based additions, keeping it hearty and nutritious.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg