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Special Diet Information

Coumadin® (Warfarin)
This recipe is safe for Coumadin (warfarin) users.

Lactose
This recipe is safe for those who are lactose intolerant.

Sodium
This is a low sodium recipe.

GERD / Acid Reflux
This recipe contains GERD triggers and those with GERD may wish to avoid it.

Gluten Sensitivity
This recipe is safe for those who are sensitive to gluten.

 

"Only the pure in heart can make a good soup." -Ludwig van Beethoven

The refrigerator light goes on...

I loved Campbell's Bean with Bacon Soup when I was growing up. Thick and creamy, it had a great balance of sweet and savory flavors with a creamy bean broth. It is, however, not all that great for you.

The Nutrition Facts box shows that a 1 cup serving (as cooked - the product is condensed) is 170 calories, 3 grams of fat and a whopping 870 mg of sodium. First off, a can of soup makes 2.5 servings? Really? That means once you've added the water it makes 22.5 ounces: a serving is 9 ounces, or just over 1 cup. No one eats a single cup of soup so that is just silly.

A more realistic portion of half the yield is about 1 1/2 cups soup, which brings this in at over 1,000 mg of sodium. Wow!

Homemade
2 cups, 320 calories, 16g fiber, 330mg sodium
Campbell's
1 1/2 cups, 213 calories, 11g fiber, 1087mg sodium

It's easy to make this soup healthier. It already contains great ingredients: beans and bacon. Yes, bacon. It takes very little bacon to give the soup great umami flavor with good saltiness, too. The more realistic serving of 2 cups comes in at 263 calories and only 330mg of sodium. Head to head with the Campbell's there is no comparison: homemade wins hands down.

This recipe uses just a little bit of bacon for flavor and that salty and umami flavor is well balanced by the sweet vegetables and creaminess of the white beans. The key is to simmer the soup slowly, covered, and then add the tomato paste and the smoked paprika shortly before serving to ramp up the flavor.


 

Bean with Bacon Soup

Servings: 4 | Serving size: about 1 cup

Cooking Time: 120 Minutes

This recipe can easily be multiplied, makes great leftovers, and keeps well for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

Bean with Bacon Soup recipe from Dr. Gourmet

Ingredients

  • 3 ounces bacon (finely diced)
  • 1 large onion (finely diced)
  • 1 large carrot (finely diced)
  • 2 large ribs celery (finely diced)
  • 2 cans no salt added white beans (do not drain or rinse)
  • 2 cups no salt added vegetable stock
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • to taste fresh ground black pepper
  • 3 Tbsp. no salt added tomato paste
  • 2 tsp. smoked paprika

Place a large sauce pan over medium high heat.

Add the diced bacon and cook for about 10 minutes. Stir frequently.

Add the onion and cook for about 2 minutes. Stir frequently.

Add the carrot and celery and cook for 2 minutes. Stir frequently.

Add the beans with the liquid from the can, vegetable stock, water, salt and pepper.

Stir and when the soup comes to a boil reduce the heat to low.

Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Add the tomato paste and paprika.

Uncover and cook for another 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Serve.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size: about 1 cup

Servings: 4

Amount Per Serving

Calories 320 Calories from Fat 82
% Daily Value
Total Fat 9g 12%
    Saturated Fat 3g 15%
    Monounsaturated Fat 4g
    Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 15mg 5%
Sodium 330mg 14%
Total Carbohydrates 44g 16%
    Dietary Fiber 16g 58%
    Sugars 5g
Protein 10g
Vitamin A 18% Vitamin C 9%
Calcium 9% Iron 21%
Vitamin K 10mcg Potassium 900mg