Description
Tuscan White Bean Soup is a comforting and hearty dish featuring smokey turkey bacon, fragrant herbs, and creamy cannellini beans. Perfect for chilly evenings, this soup delivers rich flavors and satisfying textures that make every spoonful cozy and fulfilling.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, chopped
- 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (or 1 1/2 cups soaked dry beans)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup grape juice
Herbs and Seasonings
- 2 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 4 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Finishing Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (natural)
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Plant-based Parmesan shavings (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Aromatics: Heat extra virgin olive oil (natural) in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped smoked turkey bacon and cook until crisp, releasing a smoky aroma. Add diced yellow onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until vegetables are soft and fragrant.
- Build the Base: Pour in the vegetable broth and grape juice. Stir in vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf. Gently stir and bring the mixture to a simmer to infuse the herbs and deepen the broth’s flavor.
- Add the Beans: Add the drained and rinsed cannellini beans to the simmering pot. Let the soup simmer gently for 20 to 25 minutes so the beans absorb the flavors and the soup melds into a comforting harmony.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Remove the rosemary sprigs and bay leaf. Taste and season the soup with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil (natural) over each serving and sprinkle fresh parsley or plant-based Parmesan shavings if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use well-rinsed cannellini beans to ensure smooth texture and clear broth.
- Adjust soup consistency by adding more broth for thinner soup or simmer longer uncovered for thicker stew-like texture.
- Sauté vegetables slowly to develop natural sweetness before adding liquids.
- Use fresh herbs for brightness; if using dried herbs, add earlier in cooking to release full flavor.
- Let the soup rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld beautifully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Tuscan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Tuscan soup, white bean soup, cannellini beans, smoked turkey bacon, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, hearty soup, gluten free soup, comforting soup
