Description
Tuscan White Bean Soup is a cozy, comforting dish made with smoky turkey bacon, fresh herbs, creamy white beans, and a rich vegetable broth. This easy-to-make soup combines hearty beans and vibrant flavors like rosemary, thyme, and parsley to create a nourishing meal perfect for chilly evenings or any time you want a filling yet light option. Finished with baby spinach and a natural gelling agent for a silky texture, this soup is both nutritious and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Base
- 4 ounces smoked turkey bacon, chopped
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) white beans, rinsed and drained
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
Herbs and Flavorings
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste (natural)
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Liquids and Oils
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Texture Enhancers
- 1 to 2 teaspoons natural gelling agent
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped smoked turkey bacon and cook until crispy, rendering the smoky fat that will flavor the soup.
- Sauté the aromatics: Add diced onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic to the pot with the turkey bacon. Cook until the vegetables soften and the onion turns translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Build flavors: Stir in tomato paste (natural), fresh rosemary, and thyme, letting them bloom in the warm pot for one minute to release their aromatic oils.
- Add the broth and beans: Pour in the vegetable broth along with the rinsed and drained white beans. Stir in vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer and thicken: Let the soup simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes to meld flavors. During the last 5 minutes, add the natural gelling agent dissolved in cold water to achieve a silky, perfect thickness.
- Finish with greens: Stir in fresh baby spinach just before serving and cook until wilted, adding fresh color and nutrients. Ladle the soup into bowls to serve.
Notes
- Use quality smoked turkey bacon for a balanced smoky flavor that complements the herbs and beans.
- Rinse canned beans well to reduce excess sodium and improve texture.
- Simmer the soup slowly to allow flavors to blend deeply.
- Fresh rosemary and thyme provide better flavor than dried herbs.
- Adjust salt and pepper at the end to suit your taste perfectly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tuscan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Tuscan White Bean Soup, turkey bacon soup, hearty bean soup, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, plant-based soup, cozy soup, gluten free soup
