Bean Soup Recipes

Bean soup recipes are some of the most economical, nutritious, and satisfying meals you can make. Whether you use dried beans, canned beans, lentils, or split peas, these hearty soups are packed with protein, fiber, vegetables, and comforting flavors that make them perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or chilly evenings.

Homemade bean soup recipes with beans, lentils, split peas, and vegetables

On this page you'll find easy recipes for ham and bean soup, white bean soup, split pea soup, black bean soup, lentil soup, and black-eyed pea stew. Along the way you'll also practice important kitchen skills like soaking dried beans, simmering soups, seasoning with herbs, and cooking with whole grains.

If you're just learning to make soup, begin with our Soup Cooking Lesson. For more help cooking dried beans, visit How to Cook Dry Beans, learn about different varieties on our Bean Facts page, or discover how barley and other grains make soups even heartier in How to Cook Whole Grains.

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Table of Contents

Start Here: Learn to Cook Bean Soups

  • New to cooking dried beans? Learn how to soak, simmer, and store them with our How to Cook Dry Beans guide.
  • Want to understand different bean varieties? Visit Bean Facts to compare common beans, lentils, and split peas.
  • Making soup for the first time? Practice the basics with our Soup Cooking Lesson.
  • Looking for more hearty meals? Learn to cook barley, rice, and other grains with Whole Grains.

Why Make Bean Soup?

Bean soups are one of the easiest ways to prepare a filling, nutritious meal using inexpensive pantry staples. Beans naturally provide protein and fiber, helping you stay full longer, while vegetables, herbs, and broth add flavor and important nutrients. Because most bean soups freeze well, they're also excellent for meal planning and busy weeknights.

Why Families Love Bean Soup

  • Budget-friendly meals made from pantry ingredients.
  • Excellent source of protein and fiber.
  • Easy to customize with vegetables, grains, or leftover meat.
  • Great for slow cookers, stovetops, or batch cooking.
  • Freezes well for future lunches and dinners.
  • Helps kids practice measuring, chopping, simmering, and seasoning.

Soup Skills You'll Practice

Each bean soup recipe on this page helps build important kitchen skills that you can use in many other homemade soups and family meals.

  • Soaking dried beans to reduce cooking time and improve texture.
  • Preparing vegetables by washing, peeling, chopping, and dicing onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes.
  • Simmering soups slowly so beans become tender and flavors blend together.
  • Seasoning with herbs and spices while learning when to add salt, pepper, and other seasonings.
  • Tasting and adjusting flavors before serving.
  • Freezing leftovers for quick lunches and easy family dinners.

Ham and Bean Soup

Ham and bean soup is a classic comfort food that's perfect for using leftover holiday ham or a meaty ham bone. As the beans slowly cook, they absorb the smoky flavor of the ham while creating a rich, hearty broth. This soup is inexpensive to make, freezes well, and tastes even better the next day.

Ham and Bean Soup

Homemade ham and bean soup
Print ham and bean soup recipe Printable soup recipe cards

Prep Time: 15 minutes (+ overnight soaking)
Cook Time: About 2 hours
Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dried beans (navy, great northern, or pinto)
  • 8 cups water, divided
  • 1 meaty ham bone
  • 1-2 cups chopped cooked ham
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 can (28 ounces) diced or crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

  1. Place the dried beans in a large bowl and cover with water. Let them soak overnight.
  2. Drain and rinse the beans.
  3. Add the beans, ham bone, one bay leaf, and enough fresh water to cover to a large soup pot.
  4. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 1 hour until the beans begin to soften.
  5. Remove the ham bone and discard the cooking liquid if desired. Return the beans to the pot.
  6. Add the remaining water, chopped ham, onion, garlic, tomatoes, chili powder, second bay leaf, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
  7. Simmer for another 30-60 minutes until the beans are completely tender and the flavors have blended.
  8. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
Kid Chef Tip: Leftover holiday ham works perfectly in this soup. Freeze leftover ham in small containers so it's ready whenever you're craving homemade bean soup.

Easy Variations

  • Replace the ham with smoked sausage and use homemade broth for even richer flavor.
  • Add diced carrots and celery during the final hour of cooking.
  • Stir in chopped spinach just before serving.
  • Serve with warm homemade bread, cornbread, or biscuits.

White Bean Soup

White bean soup is one of the easiest homemade soups to customize. Great Northern, navy, or cannellini beans create a creamy texture without adding cream, making this soup both hearty and budget friendly. Add vegetables for a meatless meal or include ham, sausage, chicken, or ground beef for extra protein.

White Bean Soup

Homemade white bean soup
Print white bean soup recipe Printable soup recipe cards

Prep Time: 15 minutes (+ overnight soaking if using dried beans)
Cook Time: About 2 hours
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 cups dried white beans, or about 6 cups cooked or canned beans
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1-2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: chopped ham, smoked sausage, cooked chicken, or browned ground beef

Directions

  1. If using dried beans, place them in a large bowl, cover with water, and soak overnight.
  2. Drain and rinse the beans.
  3. Place the beans in a soup pot and cover with fresh water. Add the quartered onion and bay leaves.
  4. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the beans begin to soften.
  5. If using canned beans, skip the soaking and precooking steps and begin here.
  6. Add the potatoes, carrots, and any optional meat. Pour in additional water or broth if needed to keep everything covered.
  7. Continue simmering until the potatoes, carrots, and beans are tender, about 30 minutes.
  8. Remove the bay leaves, season with salt and pepper, and serve hot.
Kid Chef Tip: Mash a small spoonful of the cooked beans into the broth before serving. This naturally thickens the soup without adding flour or cream.

Customize Your White Bean Soup

  • Ham: Add leftover diced ham for a classic family favorite.
  • Sausage: Stir in sliced smoked sausage or kielbasa.
  • Chicken: Add cooked shredded chicken during the last 10 minutes.
  • Vegetarian: Replace the water with homemade vegetable broth and add celery, spinach, kale, zucchini, or green beans.
  • Creamier soup: Blend 1-2 cups of the finished soup with an immersion blender, then stir it back into the pot.
Ham Vegetable Bean Soup Variation

Split Pea & Barley Soup

Split peas and barley are a delicious combination that creates a thick, hearty soup packed with protein, fiber, and whole grains. Split peas cook down into a naturally creamy broth while barley adds a pleasantly chewy texture. This budget-friendly soup is easy to make and tastes even better after a day in the refrigerator.

Split Pea & Barley Soup

Homemade split pea and barley soup
Print split pea and barley soup recipe Printable soup recipe cards

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45-60 minutes
Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dried split peas, rinsed
  • 2/3 cup pearl barley, rinsed
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2-3 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, parsley, or dried oregano

Directions

  1. Rinse the split peas and barley under cool running water.
  2. Add the split peas, barley, chicken broth, carrots, celery, onion, and bay leaves to a large soup pot.
  3. Bring the soup to a gentle boil.
  4. Reduce the heat to low, partially cover the pot, and simmer for 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Cook until the split peas are soft and the barley is tender.
  6. Remove the bay leaves.
  7. Season with salt, pepper, and additional herbs if desired. Learn more about choosing seasonings in our Herbs & Spices Lesson.
  8. Serve with homemade bread, crackers, or a fresh green salad.
Kid Chef Tip: Stir the soup occasionally while it cooks. Split peas naturally settle on the bottom of the pot and can stick if they aren't stirred from time to time.

Make It Your Own

  • Add diced ham for a traditional split pea soup.
  • Brown sliced smoked sausage and stir it into the finished soup.
  • Add diced potatoes during the final 20 minutes for an even heartier meal.
  • For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • Stir in chopped spinach or kale just before serving for extra color and nutrition.

Why Add Barley?

Barley is a nutritious whole grain that adds texture, fiber, and a mild nutty flavor to soups. It helps make bean soups more filling while stretching your grocery budget. Learn more about cooking barley and other grains in our Whole Grains Cooking Lesson.

Try Beef Barley Soup

Black Bean Soup

Black bean soup is rich, hearty, and full of Southwestern flavor. Black beans create a thick, creamy broth while brown rice makes the soup even more filling. Top each bowl with avocado, sour cream, cilantro, or shredded cheese for a simple meal that's perfect for lunch or dinner.

Black Bean Soup

Homemade black bean soup
Print black bean soup recipe Printable soup recipe cards

Prep Time: 15 minutes (+ overnight soaking if using dried beans)
Cook Time: About 1 1/2 hours
Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dried black beans, or about 4 cups cooked or canned black beans
  • 1 cup uncooked brown rice
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Optional toppings: diced avocado, sour cream, chopped cilantro, shredded cheese, tortilla strips, or lime wedges

Directions

  1. If using dried beans, soak them overnight, then drain and rinse.
  2. Place the beans, chicken broth, carrots, onion, and bay leaves into a large soup pot.
  3. Bring the soup to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until the beans begin to soften, about 45–60 minutes.
  4. Stir in the brown rice and continue cooking for another 35-45 minutes until both the beans and rice are tender.
  5. If using canned beans, add them with the rice and reduce the cooking time accordingly.
  6. Remove the bay leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Ladle into bowls and serve with your favorite toppings.
Kid Chef Tip: Brown rice takes much longer to cook than white rice. If you substitute white rice, add it during the final 15-20 minutes so it doesn't become overcooked.

Southwestern Serving Ideas

  • Top with diced avocado and fresh cilantro.
  • Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice before serving.
  • Sprinkle with shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper Jack cheese.
  • Serve with tortilla chips or homemade cornbread.
  • Add diced jalapeños or experiment with chili powder, cumin, oregano, and other seasonings from our Herbs & Spices Lesson.

Black Beans vs. Pinto Beans

Both black beans and pinto beans are excellent choices for soups and chilis. Black beans hold their shape well and have a slightly firmer texture, while pinto beans become creamier as they cook. Try both varieties to discover which you like best.

Learn About Different Bean Varieties How to Cook Dry Beans

Lentil Kielbasa Soup

Lentils cook much faster than most dried beans because they don't need to be soaked first. Combined with smoked kielbasa, tomatoes, carrots, celery, and onions, this hearty soup becomes a complete one-pot meal that's packed with protein, fiber, and vegetables. It's perfect for busy weeknights and tastes even better as leftovers.

Lentil Soup

A hearty homemade lentil soup that can be made as a vegetarian meal or with turkey kielbasa for extra flavor. This easy family recipe is packed with vegetables, protein-rich lentils, and tomatoes for a comforting dinner.

Homemade lentil soup with vegetables
Print lentil soup recipe Vegetarian cookbook

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45-60 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Difficulty: Easy
Recommended Ages: 8+ with adult help

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 4 carrots, diced or grated
  • 4 celery stalks, diced (optional but recommended)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 large cans (28 ounces each) diced tomatoes, with juice
  • 7 cups vegetable broth or 4 cups chicken broth plus 3 cups water for the sausage version
  • 1 1/2 cups dried lentils, rinsed
  • 3/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: chopped fresh parsley for serving
  • Optional: 1 cup alphabet pasta, added during the last 8-10 minutes

Turkey Kielbasa Variation

  • 12 ounces turkey kielbasa, sliced

Cook the sliced turkey kielbasa with the onion before adding the remaining ingredients.

Directions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.
  2. If making the sausage version, cook the sliced turkey kielbasa for 3-4 minutes until lightly browned.
  3. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
  4. Stir in the diced tomatoes, broth, marjoram, and rinsed lentils.
  5. Bring the soup to a gentle boil.
  6. Reduce the heat to low, partially cover, and simmer for 40-50 minutes until the lentils are tender.
  7. If using alphabet pasta, stir it in during the last 8-10 minutes of cooking.
  8. Season with salt, pepper, and chopped parsley before serving.

Easy Variations

  • Make it vegetarian by using vegetable broth and skipping the sausage.
  • Add turkey kielbasa, smoked sausage, or leftover ham for extra protein.
  • Stir in chopped spinach or kale during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
  • Add cooked barley or brown rice for an even heartier meal.
  • Sprinkle each serving with grated Parmesan cheese.
Kid Chef Tip: Lentils do not need to be soaked like dried beans. Kids can help rinse the lentils, measure the broth, stir the soup, and add the vegetables while learning safe knife skills.

Serving Ideas

Storage Tips

  • Lentils continue absorbing liquid as they cool. Add a little extra broth when reheating leftovers.
  • This soup freezes well for up to 3 months.
  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Why Cook with Lentils?

Lentils are one of the quickest legumes to prepare because they cook in about 30 minutes without soaking. They're an excellent source of plant protein, fiber, iron, and folate, making them a nutritious ingredient for soups, stews, salads, and side dishes.

Learn About Lentils & Beans Cook Whole Grains with Soup

Black-Eyed Pea Stew

Black-eyed pea stew is a hearty one-pot meal made with tender black-eyed peas, ground beef, carrots, and savory broth. Although black-eyed peas are technically beans, they cook more quickly than many other dried varieties and develop a creamy texture that's perfect for soups and stews. This comforting recipe is ideal for cool weather and makes excellent leftovers.

Black-Eyed Pea Stew

Homemade black-eyed pea stew
Print black-eyed pea stew recipe Printable soup recipe cards

Prep Time: 20 minutes (+ overnight soaking if using dried peas)
Cook Time: 8 hours on Low or about 2 hours on the stovetop
Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken
  • 1 (16-ounce) bag dried black-eyed peas, soaked overnight, or about 4 cups cooked or canned black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
  • 6 cups water or beef broth
  • 2-3 beef bouillon cubes (omit if using beef broth)
  • 5 carrots, chopped
  • 1 onion, grated or finely chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Salt, to taste

Slow Cooker Directions

  1. If using dried black-eyed peas, soak them overnight. Drain and rinse before cooking.
  2. Brown the ground beef with the onion in a large skillet over medium heat until the meat reaches 160°F. Drain any excess fat.
  3. Transfer the beef to a slow cooker.
  4. Add the black-eyed peas, carrots, water or broth, bouillon cubes (if using water), pepper, and salt.
  5. Stir well, cover, and cook on Low for 8 hours or until the peas are tender.
  6. Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Stovetop Option: Simmer the soup for about 2 hours, or until the peas are tender.
Kid Chef Tip: Canned black-eyed peas make this recipe much faster. Simply rinse and drain them, then reduce the cooking time to about 3-4 hours on Low or 1-2 hours on the stovetop.

Make It Different Every Time

  • Add diced celery and potatoes for an even heartier stew.
  • Replace the ground beef with smoked sausage or leftover ham.
  • Stir in diced tomatoes for a richer broth.
  • Add spinach or kale during the final few minutes of cooking.
  • Serve over cooked rice or with a slice of homemade bread for a complete meal.

Cooking with Beans, Lentils & Split Peas

Beans, lentils, split peas, and black-eyed peas are inexpensive pantry staples that can be turned into dozens of delicious soups. Once you learn the basic cooking techniques, it's easy to mix different beans, vegetables, herbs, and grains to create your own family recipes.

Practice These Skills

  • Soaking dried beans
  • Rinsing legumes
  • Preparing vegetables
  • Simmering soups
  • Seasoning with herbs
  • Cooking with whole grains
  • Freezing leftovers

Helpful Cooking Tips

  • Use low-sodium broth so you can season to taste.
  • Add delicate herbs near the end of cooking.
  • Cook pasta separately when freezing soup.
  • Taste before adding more salt.
  • Most bean soups taste even better the next day.
  • Freeze leftovers in meal-sized containers.

Bean Soup Success Tips

For Better Flavor

  • Cook beans low and slow for the creamiest texture.
  • Taste before adding extra salt since broth and ham can already be salty.
  • Add fresh herbs or lemon juice near the end of cooking to brighten the flavor.
  • Using homemade broth gives bean soups a richer, deeper flavor than water alone.

For Better Texture

  • Don't overcook canned beans.
  • Mash a few cooked beans to naturally thicken the broth.
  • Add pasta or rice near the end so it doesn't become mushy.
  • Cool soups completely before freezing.

13 Bean Soup Video

Watching someone prepare bean soup is a great way to learn techniques like rinsing beans, simmering broth, and checking for tenderness. This video demonstrates another hearty bean soup recipe and gives you ideas you can use with many of the recipes on this page.


How to Cook Dry Beans Bean Facts Whole Grains Learn to Make Soup

More Bean Soup Recipes & Lessons

Homemade minestrone soup with beans, vegetables, and pasta

Minestrone Soup

Make a hearty Italian-style soup with beans, vegetables, pasta, tomatoes, and herbs.

Homemade pasta fagioli soup with beans and vegetables

Pasta Fagioli Soup

Combine kidney beans, white beans, vegetables, tomatoes, pasta, and savory broth.

Ham and vegetable bean soup

Ham Vegetable Soup

Add white beans with ham, potatoes, carrots, and seasonings to make another hearty family soup.

Easy Mexican refried bean soup

Mexican Refried Bean Soup

Turn a can of refried beans into a quick, creamy soup. Add cheese, tortilla chips, avocado, cilantro, or olives for an easy Mexican-inspired meal.

How to cook dry beans

How to Cook Dry Beans

Learn how to soak, cook, freeze, and use dried beans in dozens of recipes.

Bean facts

Bean Facts

Discover different bean varieties, nutrition facts, and fun classroom activities.

How to make soup

Soup Cooking Lesson

Learn the basic techniques for making homemade soups from scratch.

Easy homemade taco soup

Taco Soup

Combine beans, ground beef, tomatoes, corn, and taco seasoning for a quick, family-friendly soup with bold Mexican-inspired flavor.

Homemade chili recipes

Homemade Chili Recipes

Use beans to make hearty chili recipes for family dinners and freezer meals.

Vegetable soup recipes

Vegetable Soup Recipes

Practice chopping vegetables while making healthy homemade soups.

Hamburger soup recipes

Hamburger Soup Recipes

Try more hearty soup recipes made with beef, vegetables, beans, and grains.

Creamy white chicken chili

White Chicken Chili

Make a creamy chili with white beans, chicken, green chilies, and savory seasonings for another hearty bean-based meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to soak all dried beans before making soup?

No. Most dried beans, such as pinto, navy, kidney, and black beans, benefit from soaking overnight to shorten cooking time. Lentils and split peas do not require soaking, although they should always be rinsed before cooking.

Can I use canned beans instead of dried beans?

Yes. Canned beans are fully cooked and make homemade soup much faster. Rinse and drain them before adding them to your recipe, and reduce the cooking time since they only need to heat through.

Which beans are best for soup?

Some of the most popular soup beans include navy beans, Great Northern beans, cannellini beans, pinto beans, black beans, kidney beans, lentils, split peas, and black-eyed peas. Each variety has a slightly different texture and flavor.

How do I thicken bean soup?

The easiest method is to mash some of the cooked beans with a potato masher or blend a cup or two of soup with an immersion blender before stirring it back into the pot. The beans naturally create a creamy texture without adding flour or cream.

Can I freeze bean soup?

Yes. Most bean soups freeze very well for up to three months. Let the soup cool completely before storing it in freezer-safe containers. If the soup contains pasta, it's usually best to cook and add the pasta after reheating.

What should I serve with bean soup?

Bean soup pairs well with homemade bread, cornbread, biscuits, crackers, baked potatoes, grilled cheese sandwiches, or a fresh green salad.

How long does homemade bean soup last?

Store leftover bean soup in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat leftovers until they reach 165°F before serving.

Where can I learn more about cooking beans?

Visit our How to Cook Dry Beans lesson to learn soaking methods, cooking times, freezing tips, and easy ways to use cooked beans in soups, salads, and family meals.

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