Mediterranean White Bean Soup

Imagine the warmth of a steaming bowl of Mediterranean White Bean Soup, where the aromas of herbs and garlic fill the air.

This comforting dish is as simple to prepare as it’s satisfying, making it a favorite for cozy nights.

As the ingredients simmer, the flavors meld into something truly special, transforming basic pantry staples into a delightful meal.

Let’s bring this comforting soup to life and enjoy its wholesome goodness together.

Kitchen Tools Required

• 1 large pot
• 1 wooden spoon
• 1 ladle
• 1 sharp knife
• 1 cutting board

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cans (15 ounces each) white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, with juices
• 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Cook & Prep Time

To efficiently manage your time while preparing and cooking the Mediterranean White Bean Soup, here’s a timeline you can follow:

1. Reading & Preparation (10 minutes):
   • Take a few minutes to read through the entire recipe and instructions.
   • Gather all the necessary ingredients and equipment (large pot, wooden spoon, ladle, sharp knife, cutting board).
2. Prep Work (15 minutes):
   • Chop the onion, mince the garlic, dice the carrots, and dice the celery.
   • Roughly chop the fresh spinach and parsley.
   • Drain and rinse the white beans.
3. Cooking (30 minutes):
   • Minute 0-5: Heat olive oil in the large pot over medium heat.
   • Minute 5-10: Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until translucent.
   • Minute 10-15: Stir in minced garlic, diced carrots, and diced celery; cook for another 5 minutes.
   • Minute 15-20: Add dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper; stir to combine.
   • Minute 20-25: Pour in vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
   • Minute 25-40: Reduce heat to a simmer and add white beans and diced tomatoes. Simmer for 15 minutes.
   • Minute 40-43: Stir in chopped spinach and cook until wilted.
4. Finishing Touches (5 minutes):
   • Minute 43-45: Remove pot from heat and stir in lemon juice and fresh parsley.
   • Minute 45-55: Let the soup rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Adjust the timing as needed based on your pace and any additional garnishes you might want to add.

Recipe Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Stir in minced garlic, diced carrots, and diced celery, cooking for another 5 minutes.

Add dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper, stirring to combine.

Pour in vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil.

Reduce heat to a simmer and add white beans and diced tomatoes.

Simmer for 15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.

Stir in chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes.

Remove pot from heat and stir in lemon juice and fresh parsley.

Let the soup rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Serving Tips

• Crusty Bread: Serve alongside a slice of crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth.
• Grated Parmesan: Sprinkle some grated Parmesan on top for a touch of creamy, cheesy flavor.
• Side Salad: Pair with a fresh Mediterranean salad for a balanced and nutritious meal.
• Roasted Vegetables: Complement the soup with a side of roasted vegetables for added texture.
• Olive Tapenade: Include a small dish of olive tapenade to enhance the Mediterranean flavors.

Storage

To store Mediterranean White Bean Soup, let it cool completely.

Transfer to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheat gently.

Freezing

To freeze Mediterranean White Bean Soup, cool completely.

Then transfer to airtight containers.

Leave space for expansion.

Label and date containers.

Then freeze.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat Mediterranean White Bean Soup, gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat.

Stir occasionally.

Add a splash of vegetable broth if needed to maintain desired consistency.

Final Thoughts

Mediterranean White Bean Soup is a hearty and nutritious dish that’s perfect for any season.

The combination of white beans, fresh vegetables, and flavorful herbs creates a comforting meal.

It’s easy to prepare and can be adjusted to suit your taste preferences.

Don’t hesitate to experiment with different ingredients or seasonings.

With its quick preparation time and delicious taste, this soup is sure to become a favorite in your meal rotation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Substitute Canned Beans With Dried Beans?

You can substitute canned beans with dried beans, but you’ll need to soak them overnight and cook them separately until tender. Use approximately 1 cup of dried beans for every 2 cans. Adjust cooking time accordingly.

What Wine Pairs Well With This Soup?

You should pair this soup with a crisp, dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. Their acidity complements the soup’s flavors, highlighting the herbs and cutting through the richness of the beans and olive oil.

Are There Vegan Alternatives for This Recipe?

You can easily make this recipe vegan since it already is. Confirm all ingredients are plant-based, like using a vegan vegetable broth. Consider enhancing flavors with nutritional yeast or a splash of almond milk for creaminess.

How Can I Make This Soup Spicier?

To make the soup spicier, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño when cooking the onions. You can also incorporate cayenne pepper or hot sauce to adjust the heat level to your preference.

What Are Good Side Dishes to Serve With the Soup?

Consider serving with crusty bread for dipping, a fresh Greek salad with feta and olives, or roasted vegetables. These sides complement the soup’s flavors, adding texture and variety to your meal without overwhelming the main dish.

Mediterranean White Bean Soup

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Resting Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Soup

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 4 servings

Equipment

• 1 Large pot
• 1 Wooden spoon
• 1 Ladle
• 1 sharp knife
• 1 Cutting board

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 2 clove garlic minced
• 2 carrots diced
• 2 celery stalks diced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cup vegetable broth
• 2 can white beans drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes with juices
• 2 cup fresh spinach roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped

Instructions

 

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
• Add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in minced garlic, diced carrots, and diced celery, cooking for another 5 minutes.
• Add dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper, stirring to combine.
• Pour in vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
• Reduce heat to a simmer and add white beans and diced tomatoes.
• Simmer for 15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
• Stir in chopped spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes.
• Remove pot from heat and stir in lemon juice and fresh parsley.
• Let the soup rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a richer flavor, try using homemade vegetable broth if available. To make the soup more filling, you can add cooked pasta or quinoa during the simmering stage. Adjust the seasoning to your taste, and for a touch of heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Cynthia Weatherford

Cynthia Weatherford is a seasoned chef and culinary enthusiast who serves as the Recipe creator of Somonday. With decades of experience in the kitchen and a passion for exploring diverse cuisines, Cynthia brings a blend of creativity and technique to every dish. Known for transforming simple ingredients into show-stopping meals, Cynthia believes that cooking is an art form anyone can master. Dedicated to inspiring home cooks, Cynthia shares approachable recipes, pro tips, and culinary wisdom to make every meal memorable.