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Vegetarian, Northern, Eastern and Western France

White bean soup with croutons

White bean soup with croutons is a winter soup for 4 people, ready in 40 minutes, very easy to make, for €1.40 per serving. Carrots, celery and thyme flavor the blended white beans, while croutons of country bread toasted in olive oil add crunch. The key is rinsing the beans well and keeping some warm broth on hand to adjust the texture.

A big bowl of silky white bean soup scented with thyme, topped with golden, crunchy croutons.

White bean soup with croutons
Total time
40 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€1.40
Calories per person
600 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

This soup has the texture of a smooth puree, carried by the mild taste of white beans and lifted by thyme and raw garlic. Croutons pan fried until golden, still warm, bring the crunch that makes all the difference on a blended soup. It's a comforting, unpretentious dish you can pull together with pantry staples.

It's the ideal weeknight soup for fall or winter, when you want a hot dinner without spending hours on it. Kids tend to like it because it's smooth and has no tricky bits to chew, especially if you set aside some whole beans as Mon Chou suggests. It also works well for a simple vegetarian weeknight meal.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • cooked white beansoften in the pantry 800 g
  • vegetable broth 1 l
  • olive oiloften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • carrots 2
  • onion 1
  • celery stalks 2
  • garlic 2 cloves
  • thyme 4 sprigs

Bakery

  • country bread 4 slices

Allergens Gluten

The step by step recipe

  1. Peel and finely dice the onion, carrots and celery, then chop the garlic.

    Even dice sizes cook at the same pace.

  2. Sauté the vegetables in two tablespoons of olive oil with the thyme and garlic, without browning them. 8 min

    A few extra minutes and the vegetables turn sweet.

  3. Add the drained, rinsed beans, cover with broth and let simmer. 20 min

    Rinse canned beans well, the liquid from the can gives a metallic taste.

  4. Remove the thyme, blend the soup to your preferred thickness and season.

    Thin it out with a little hot water if it's too thick.

  5. Cut the bread into cubes and brown them in a pan with the remaining olive oil, then serve on top of the soup. 5 min

    Rub them with a clove of garlic at the end, all the flavor without the bite.

Our tips to get it right

  • Choose good quality cooked white beans, they blend more easily into a smooth, lump free texture.
  • Blend the soup in small batches if your blender isn't very powerful, for a truly even puree.
  • Make the croutons right before serving, they lose their crunch if they sit too long on the counter.

The variations

  • Swap the celery stalks for a small sliced leek for a milder flavor.
  • Add a drizzle of cream or olive oil just before serving for extra richness.
  • For kids, blend the soup very smooth and serve the croutons on the side, so they can dunk them in.

What to serve it with

  • A simple green salad with vinaigrette
  • Grated cheese sprinkled on top
  • A cup of thyme tea after the meal

Storage

The soup keeps 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well for up to 2 months, without the croutons. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of water or broth if it has thickened, and make fresh croutons right before serving.

Questions about this dish

Can I use dried white beans instead of cooked ones?

Yes, soak 250g of dried beans overnight, then cook them for about 1h30 before following the recipe. Canned beans stay the faster option for a weeknight.

How do I thicken or thin the soup to taste?

Add a little hot water or broth if it's too thick. If it's too thin, let it simmer uncovered a few extra minutes to reduce it.

Can I make this soup ahead of time?

Yes, it's actually better reheated the next day, once the flavors have had time to develop. Just save the croutons for serving time.

What if I don't have country bread for the croutons?

Any slightly stale bread works well, like a baguette or thick sliced sandwich bread. The important part is browning it in the pan until crisp.

How long does it take to make a white bean soup with croutons?

Count 40 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a white bean soup with croutons?

About 600 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a white bean soup with croutons cost?

About €1.40 per serving, or €5.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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