Description
A hearty and nutritious Butter Bean Soup featuring tender butter beans simmered with aromatic spices, fresh spinach, and tangy lemon juice. This vegetarian soup is perfect for a comforting meal and packed with vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 4 cups vegetable broth
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked butter beans
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup spinach, chopped
Seasoning & Finishing
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Warm the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat to create the base for sautéing the aromatics.
- Sauté onions: Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, approximately 5 minutes, to develop sweetness and flavor.
- Add garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning, releasing its aroma.
- Incorporate spices: Add ground cumin and ground coriander to the pot, cooking for an additional minute to bloom the spices and enhance their flavors.
- Pour broth: Stir in the vegetable broth, combining it well with the sautéed mixture to form the soup base.
- Simmer broth: Bring the broth to a simmer over medium heat and let it cook for about 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Add butter beans: Stir in the cooked butter beans, integrating them fully into the broth for substance and creaminess.
- Add tomatoes: Add the entire can of diced tomatoes with juice, stirring to combine and enrich the soup with acidity and texture.
- Add spinach: Toss in the chopped spinach and stir until it wilts down, distributing the greens evenly in the soup.
- Simmer again: Let the soup simmer gently for another 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to heat through and marry flavors.
- Brighten with lemon: Stir in the lemon juice to add a bright, fresh note that balances the richness of the soup.
- Season to taste: Add salt and pepper according to your preference, tasting and adjusting seasoning as needed.
- Serve: Ladle the hot butter bean soup into bowls and enjoy immediately for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can use dried butter beans soaked and cooked or canned for convenience.
- For a creamier texture, blend part of the soup with an immersion blender before adding spinach.
- Add a pinch of chili flakes for a spicy kick if desired.
- Serve with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
- This soup stores well and tastes great reheated the next day.