Creamy White Bean Soup (Print Version)

Velvety white bean soup infused with smoky bacon and fresh rosemary, ideal for a cozy meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 5 oz thick-cut bacon, diced

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Beans

06 - 2 cans (14 oz each) cannellini or navy beans, drained and rinsed

→ Liquids

07 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
08 - ½ cup heavy cream

→ Herbs & Seasonings

09 - 2 sprigs fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
10 - 1 bay leaf
11 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 - Salt to taste

→ Garnish

13 - Extra olive oil for drizzling
14 - Fresh chopped parsley, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the diced bacon until crisp, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving approximately 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat in the pot.
02 - Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 6 to 8 minutes, until softened and translucent.
03 - Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add the drained beans, broth, rosemary, bay leaf, pepper, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
05 - Remove the rosemary sprigs and bay leaf. Using an immersion blender, purée the soup until creamy. Alternatively, transfer in batches to a blender and blend carefully, then return to the pot.
06 - Stir in the heavy cream and most of the cooked bacon, reserving some for serving. Simmer for 5 additional minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
07 - Serve hot, garnished with reserved bacon, a drizzle of olive oil, and chopped parsley if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The bacon renders its smokiness into every spoonful, so you taste luxury without trying hard.
  • It comes together faster than you'd think for something this velvety and refined.
  • White beans become impossibly creamy without any cream cheese or shortcuts—just pure technique.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the canned beans or your soup will turn into wallpaper paste instead of staying silky and light.
  • The immersion blender is your friend here—it gives you control over texture, whereas a full blender can turn beans into baby food if you're not careful.
03 -
  • Save a generous amount of bacon for garnish—it's the jewelry that makes people notice the soup before they taste it.
  • Blend while the soup is still hot; cold soup doesn't puree as smoothly and the texture becomes grainy instead of velvety.
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