This simple bean with bacon soup is better than the canned version by far and ready in just about 30 minutes. Hearty and delicious!
I have always had a fondness for Bean with Bacon soup. I was raised on the canned version :) Let me tell you though, this version is so much better! And beyond being hearty and delicious, this homemade bean with bacon soup is quick and easy, too!
Starting with canned beans means this soup comes together quickly, so you can be enjoying a bowl in no time!
Ingredients and Substitutions
Bacon – regular bacon is all you need here or you can omit for a vegetarian soup (or try veggie bacon!)
Chicken broth – or use vegetable broth for a vegetarian soup.
Canned navy beans – I love this soup with canned navy beans, but pinto beans would also work with this soup.
Cornstarch – (or arrowroot starch) to thicken the soup
Recipe Tips
- I like to thicken this soup a couple of ways. First, I use my immersion blender to break it up just a bit (a potato masher would work, as well). Then, if I still want it thicker, I will thicken the broth with a bit of cornstarch (or arrowroot starch, if you prefer).
- If you happen to have some Liquid Smoke around (we did and I have no idea why or when we bought it!), a few drops adds a great smokiness to this soup.
- This soup is even better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours, so don’t hesitate to make this one ahead and re-heat.
- This soup should freeze well.
- Finally, though I have used canned beans here, you can certainly start with dried beans and soak/cook ahead, then add to the soup per the recipe.
Making Ahead, Storing and Freezing
This soup can be made ahead, refrigerated and re-heated. It keeps well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Bean soups freeze very well. Store in an airtight container and freeze up to 3 months.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email and I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Seasons and Suppers.
You can unsubscribe at any time.
Get the Recipe: Simple Bean with Bacon Soup
Ingredients
- 2 slices bacon, diced into 1/4-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup carrot, finely diced into about 1/4-inch dice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 19 oz can navy beans, drained and rinsed
- Bay leaf
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1-2 drops of Liquid Smoke
- Optional: 2 Tbsp. cornstarch, or arrowroot starch mixed with 2 Tbsp. water, to thicken
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, cook the bacon until almost crisp.
- Add the onion and carrot to the pot and cook, stirring, until the onions are tender, about 3-4 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute.
- Add the broth, navy beans and a bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low and gently simmer until the carrots are tender, about 15-20 minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaf.
- Using an immersion blender or a potato masher, lightly blend or mash the soup just a bit (you want to have whole beans left). If you'd like your soup a little thicker, add the cornstarch/water mixture to soup and cook over medium heat, stirring until soup thickens. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary (add more salt/pepper/tomato paste, to taste).
Notes
More Bean Soup Recipes to Love!
Hi! I’m Jennifer, a home cook schooled by trial and error and almost 40 years of getting dinner on the table! I love to share my favourite recipes, both old and new, together with lots of tips and tricks to hopefully help make your home cooking enjoyable, stress free, rewarding and of course, delicious!
Am I missing something??? Does this recipe call for both canned and dry beans!?? Looks great. Love your blog. Thanks for any help. Sue P.
Hi Susan and thanks :) Sorry about the confusion. I recently updated this recipe from using dried beans to using canned beans (since that is how I tend to prefer to make it these days). The reference to dried beans was a hold-over from the previous version. I have deleted that from the ingredient list now. This is a really nice, quick soup and I love the ease of using canned beans. Enjoy!
Jennifer,
Took a chance last nite…used the canned. With a few drops of the liquid smoke.
There were only two words from the family,after…double it! Small scuffle broke out at the end for the last bit.
Thanks for you! What a service you are doing for people quarantined or laying low… All I do is cook! your recipes never never fail. Sue p.
So glad to hear, Susan! I really enjoy this soup, too, which is why I switched it up to the canned beans. I actually prefer the softer canned beans in this one and a lot less work :) Thanks so much!
Made this for dinner last night. It was a hearty and tasty dinner for a cold winter’s night. This was really simple to put together too. I like a thick soup but did not see any need to use the cornstarch as it was plenty thick enough. I did use quite a few drops of liquid smoke and liked the flavor it added.
I do not have an InstaPot, but I can imagine that would make this even easier to put together quickly.
So glad you enjoyed it! I did make an Instant Pot version of this soup (it’s on the blog here somewhere :). It was nice as well, though not sure it really saves much time in the end. Thanks :)
Hi Jennifer,
I tried this soup again using the dry beans and the beans were perfect. I am wondering if my navy were too old and that is why they had a bite to them. The flavour and the texture are excellent.
Thanks for a great recipe.
So glad! And yes, it really needs to start with the freshest dried beans to have success with this no-soak method.
Bean and Bacon soup is my go to comfort food . I have recently started making my own veg broth and I no longer purchase canned soup so I was very happy to stumble across this recipe. I made this yesterday and it is wonderful! Thanks for sharing!
So glad you enjoyed it, Charlene :) It is one of my favourite soups!
Hi, Would this work with canned beans? I used dry but found the beans after 3 and a half hours to still be a tad firm. I loved the flavour and the texture of the soup.
Thanks
Hi Liza, I think if you’re used to the super soft beans in canned bean with bacon soup, you will always find starting with dried beans a tad firm. So yes, you can make this with canned beans. Just use all the same ingredients, but skip the long simmer time that’s only there to soften the beans.
Love this soup. Thank you.
Thanks Liz. One of my favourites :)
I made this for Saturday night supper, so delicious. Left out the liquid smoke. I love your recipes; I’ve made the garlic chicken and lemon chicken, pork bowl with greens and rice (used chicken), pear almond cake. Bookmarked quite a few more!
Thanks so much, Suzie and so glad you enjoyed this soup (and others! :)
I am so excited about this soup! I am going to make it right now. I love bean soups of any kind!
Enjoy Julia! :)
So I added barley and lentils instead of beans and it was delicious! My husband loved it. :-)
Sounds delicious!
On a cold winter evening, there’s nothing I love more than soup with fresh bread. This looks so comforting!
Same here, Laura. Thanks!
I love the little white navy beans, they are my favorites. I also love the color of this soup, amazing that the little bit of tomato paste makes such a difference!
Navy are my favourite beans as well, Sue and yes, a little tomato paste makes all the difference!
This brought back so many memories! My mom loved the canned bean and bacon soup and I remember hating it as a kid… but slowly it grew on me and now I love it, although I haven’t had it for years. I’m going to make this! Homemade is always better :)
Bean with Bacon was always one of my favourites, but I haven’t bought a can in years. You can’t go back from homemade ;)
Made this in the slowcooker and it was delicious! I added a bit more bacon and a ham hock, because can you ever have too much pork?! My fiance and I both ate two big bowls for dinner!
So glad it worked in the slowcooker. I thought it would. And yes, more pork is always good :)
Hi, I know I’m supposed to comment on the recipe (which looks great and delish btw), but I can’t help but stare at your tableware, lol. Where did you buy those, they are beautiful!
Thanks Lynne :) I see you’re Canadian, so you’re in luck! I picked up this plate/cup at my local President’s Choice/Loblaws store. They have them in the household section in grey and yellow right now.
Ok. This is really great. I almost never used dried beans because of the whole soaking business. But you’ve taken care of that. So yeah! And extra points for being able to make it ahead!
Thanks Liz. That no pre-soaking thing changed my view on dried beans, too!