Ingredients
Scale
- 20 ounces of mixed dried beans
- Water for soaking beans
- 1 diced onion
- 2–3 minced garlic cloves
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2 peeled and diced carrots
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons avocado or olive oil (or other cooking fat)
- 12–14 ounces beef sausage
- 1 can (14–15 oz) diced tomatoes or 1 pint home-canned tomatoes
- 1 medium russet potato, diced and peeled
- ½ small shredded green cabbage (optional)
- ½ teaspoon thyme (dried)
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1–2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Prep the beans: First, sort through your beans to remove any debris (I’ve accidentally missed a tiny stone before, and trust me, it’s not fun to find that in your soup!). Rinse them well and soak them overnight in a large bowl of water. This step softens the beans and reduces cooking time.
- Drain and rinse: In the morning, drain the beans and give them a quick rinse. This also helps reduce any gas-producing compounds (your family will thank you!).
- Start the soup base: In your pot, combine the beans, diced onion, minced garlic, celery, carrot, and chicken broth. Bring the mix to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and let it cook for about 1 ½ to 2 hours. Your house will start to smell amazing at this point!
- Brown the sausage: While the beans simmer, heat your oil in a skillet and brown the sausage. Make sure it’s golden and slightly crispy around the edges—that caramelization adds so much flavor. Once it’s ready, add it to the pot.
- Add the final ingredients: Toss in your diced tomatoes, potato, cabbage (if using), and spices. Stir everything together, and if the soup looks too thick, add a little more broth or water. Simmer for another hour until the beans and vegetables are tender.
- Taste and season: Don’t forget to taste your soup before serving. A little salt and pepper at the end will bring everything together.
Notes
This soup is a meal prep dream—it tastes even better the next day! Let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it’s thickened too much.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus overnight soaking)
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours
- Category: Dinner