This easy three bean soup is hearty and packed full of protein, just perfect for a cosy weeknight dinner. All you need is three types of canned beans, and you'll be ready to face any chilly evening.
I'm a massive bean lover and I use them in all kinds of soups, stews and chillis. This easy three-bean soup is a dream come true for me and just the perfect treat for a chilly day.
As you may have perhaps noticed if you've been on Vegan Cocotte before, I like to keep things quick and easy. That's why I use canned beans to make this soup. It's seriously more convenient to do so, as soaking three kinds of beans is no easy feat.
One of the best things about this can bean soup is that you can adapt it to suit your particular taste in beans. The possibilities are truly endless.
Ingredients and substitutions
Here's what you need to make the easiest bean soup recipe using canned beans.
Three types of beans — I typically make it with a mix of cannellini, borlotti and pinto beans, but you can use any mix you want. Kidney beans, navy beans, butter beans and black beans are all great ideas.
Red onion, carrot and celery — These veggies are the base of any good soup. Dice them small if you want them to cook quicker.
Garlic, red chilli flakes and oregano — To give the soup just the right flavour, you can adjust the quantities to your liking. I like the bean soup on the milder side, but if you prefer it to be more fiery, you can up the amount of red chilli flakes.
Chopped tomatoes — You can use fresh tomatoes instead, but only if they're very ripe and juicy.
Vegetable stock — Use the best quality stock you can because it really makes a difference.
How do you make three bean soup?
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot and saute the red onion, carrot and celery for 6-7 minutes, stirring continuously, until slightly softened.
- Next, add the garlic and red chilli flakes and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and oregano and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add all three types of beans and vegetable stock, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes until the beans are tender and the soup has naturally thickened a bit.
- Stir in the baby spinach, parsley and lemon juice and cover with a lid for 2-3 minutes to allow the spinach to wilt.
- Serve with extra lemon wedges and crusty bread.
Extra recipe tips
- This bean soup will keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
- If you want to use dry beans instead, soak each type separately overnight and cook them separately until they are tender (about one hour, depending on type).
- You can also use other seasonings for the soup, such as an Italian seasoning blend instead of oregano, bay leaves, or fresh rosemary and/or thyme.
- To make the soup cremier, blend a quarter or half of it in a blender, then return it to the pot.
If you liked this easy three bean soup, you might also like some of my other easy vegan soups:
Vegan Avgolemono Soup (Greek Lemon Orzo Soup)
Cannellini Bean and Cavolo Nero Soup
Vegan Butternut Squash Kale Soup with Lentils
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Easy Three Bean Soup
This easy three bean soup is hearty and packed full of protein, just perfect for a cosy weeknight dinner. All you need is three types of canned beans, and you'll be ready to face any chilly evening.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium red onion, diced
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ teaspoon red chilli flakes
- 1 x 400 g (14 oz) can chopped tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 x 400 g (14 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 x 400 g (14 oz) can borlotti beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 x 400 g (14 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 litre (4 cups) vegetable stock
- A handful baby spinach
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Juice of half a lemon
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot and saute the red onion, carrot and celery for 6-7 minutes, stirring continuously, until slightly softened.
- Next, add the garlic and red chilli flakes and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and oregano and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in all three types of beans and vegetable stock, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes until the beans are tender and the soup has naturally thickened a bit.
- Stir in the baby spinach, parsley and lemon juice and cover with a lid for 2-3 minutes to allow the spinach to wilt.
- Serve with extra lemon wedges and crusty bread.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 475Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 840mgCarbohydrates: 88gFiber: 14gSugar: 22gProtein: 24g
Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.
Sandy Henry
These recipes look delicious. I have to get in my kitchen asap and start making the three bean soup first, it has my mouth watering. Being released from the hospital today and then going home and then to the Supermarket and then to the kitchen.
Paris
Glad you liked them Sandy!
Carol
Are we missing her review that said she liked them for you to insert this reply? So far I only see that she was going to try it. I and others depend on all the comments when deciding whether and how we are going to make these recipes....
Paris
She said "These recipes look delicious", I said I'm glad she likes them... I don't see where the problem is!
Tracey
I was going to comment the exact same thing! Thanks for your recipes
Jennifer
This turned out great. I added a little parmigan on top also. Delicious you
Paris
Glad you liked it Jennifer!
Holly Bowman
Hello!! I'm making this soup today! I'm hoping to freeze it...is that fine?
Paris
Yes, don't see why not, it's just beens!
Diane
Made this today with dried beans I had. Came out delicious added acini de Pepe pasta and a little Parmesan on top. Delicious! Forgot to add the kale but will do that to the leftovers’
Brenda
Loved it! My husband too!Thank you.
Denise
Delish soup! I used a can of Rotel for tomato and left out garlic (due to food sensitivity) and used dry parsley since that’s what I had. I like that you can use whatever beans you have on hand. Comes together easily for a week day meal and have enough for lunch tomorrow too!
Paris
Im glad you liked it Denise!
Anbe
I made this soup this evening. I followed the recipe as closely as I could. My local grocery didn’t have Cranberry Beans (Bolotti). So I used more of the cannelloni. Very good flavor. Spicier than I expected, and I’d use less lemon next time. I’ll use this recipe again.
Paris
Glad you liked it!
Ronald Carmona
Delicious flavorful bean soup, don't forget your crusty bread or whole grain toast. The vegetable broth is what gives it flavor.
Paris
Thank you!
Barby
I made this for the first time last night, following the directions exactly. I would make absolutely no changes--it was perfect! I served it over homemade cornbread. We will definitely be making it again.
Paris
GLad you liked it Barby