Slow Cooker Vegetable Bean Soup
on Feb 05, 2015, Updated Aug 22, 2024
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Slow Cooker Vegetable Bean Soup is vegan, gluten-free and perfect for cold and rainy days.
Slow Cooker Vegetable Bean Soup is one that you need in your go-to collection. This hearty rich soup is just the thing to get you through winter. Serve it with a side of whole grain cornbread and everyone will be happy.
These first (very cold) months of the year are slow cooker season for me. I find that I crave the warmth they create in my house as something bubbles away all day. Slow-cooked food is welcoming to walk home to, it’s comforting to eat, and it warms you up right where you need it most.
This slow cooker vegetable bean soup is just the kind of meal I can’t get enough of. It’s a great use for those few carrots and stalks of celery you sometimes find yourself with after buying a bag to make something else–great for when your budget is tight (maybe at the end of the month).
It’s almost magic how such simple ingredients can make something so very good. I often save it for weeks when I need something easy with very few ingredients. Seriously, we’re talking about 6 ingredients here (+ water, salt and pepper).
You might think that you need to fancy it up a bit, but try it as written the first time through. It’s incredible as it is. Plus, it’s vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and perfect for cold and rainy days. Just the sort of meal you’re bound to make again and again.
Tips and Tricks for making Slow Cooker Vegetable Bean Soup:
- Another favorite white bean would work well here too. The soaking step speeds up the cooking process, but if you forget, don’t fret.
- As for the vegetables, mince them very very small, and they’ll just melt as they cook. Delicious!
Why do I need to rinse canned beans?
Most recipes call for draining and rinsing the beans to remove the excess salt and starch and improve flavor.
Slow Cooker Vegetable Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb. dried great northern beans, soaked overnight and drained
- 3 carrots, cubed into small pieces
- 2 stalks celery, very finely minced
- 1 large onion, very finely minced
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups water
- 2-3 teaspoons smoked chili powder
- 1-2 teaspoons salt
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Soak the beans overnight according to the package directions.
- In the morning, drain the beans and place the beans, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and sage in the slow cooker.
- Cover with broth and water. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on high for about 8 hours (the beans will be tender after about 6 hours, but the longer it cooks, the creamier the soup gets.
- Before serving stir in 2-3 teaspoon smoked paprika and 1-2 teaspoons salt, both to taste. I tend to like more of both of them.
- Taste soup and add additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot with your favorite cornbread recipe.
Notes
- Another favorite white bean would work well here too. The soaking step speeds up the cooking process, but if you forget, don’t fret. As for the vegetables, mince them very very small, and they’ll just melt as they cook. Delicious!
- If the bean soup isn’t as thick as you’d like you can add a few cups of beans to a blender, blend them up, and stir it back into the soup. It’s a great quick way to make your bean soup thicker and creamier.
Nutrition
Serve this tasty soup with:
- 3 Ingredient Fruit Dip
- Rustic Italian Bread
- Mom’s Four Loaf Wheat Bread Recipe
- Whole Wheat Clover Rolls
Other bean soup recipes you might like:
- Classic Ham and Bean Soup (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker recipe)
- Hearty & Bean Soup in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Cajun Beans and Rice Recipe
- Easy Slow Cooker Chili
Enjoy this soup from my kitchen to yours.
So I played with the recipe just a little….threw in a ham hock…Not a bean soup gal but these were amazing….and the house smelled delicious all day!
Loved it! Super delicious, frugal, and makes a great vegetarian night. I served it with cheddar biscuits. Yum!
Yes! Those biscuits sound heavenly!
Nice recipe. Thank you.
This looks amazingly yummy. I’ve just ordered a few packs of organic dried beans … when they arrive I will be making this! Thank you x
Yummy can’t wait to try.