Description
Hearty Sausage and 15-Bean Soup delivers comfort in a bowl, blending smoky sausage with a rich medley of beans. Packed with robust flavors and nourishing ingredients, this soup promises warmth and satisfaction for hungry souls seeking a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 20 ounces (567 grams) mixed dried beans
- 12–14 ounces (340–397 grams) beef sausage
- 8 cups (1.9 liters) chicken broth
- 1 can (14-15 ounces or 397–425 grams) diced tomatoes
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 diced onion
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2 peeled and diced carrots
- 23 minced garlic cloves
- 1 medium russet potato, diced and peeled
- 1/2 small shredded green cabbage (optional)
Seasonings and Cooking Ingredients:
- 12 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) avocado or olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Water for soaking beans
Instructions
- Meticulously sort through the dried beans, removing any damaged or discolored legumes. Eliminate small stones or imperfect beans that could compromise the soup’s texture.
- Submerge the beans in abundant cold water, ensuring the liquid level rises at least 2-3 inches above the beans. Refrigerate overnight for optimal hydration and tenderness.
- If time is limited, utilize the rapid soaking technique: boil beans for 2 minutes, then allow them to rest for 60 minutes before draining completely.
- Transfer the soaked beans into a large cooking pot. Add aromatic vegetables including onion, garlic, celery, and carrots. Pour in chicken broth and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
- Reduce heat after 20 minutes to a gentle simmer. Leave the pot lid slightly open, allowing steam to escape. Cook for 1.5-2 hours until beans reach a delicate, almost-tender consistency.
- Meanwhile, prepare the sausage by slicing into uniform bite-sized pieces. Heat a skillet with oil and brown the sausage until golden edges develop, creating a rich, caramelized exterior.
- Drain excess fat from the sausage before incorporating into the simmering bean mixture. Add diced tomatoes, potatoes, and optional cabbage.
- Introduce selected spices and stir thoroughly. Adjust liquid volume if the soup appears too dense. Continue simmering for an additional hour to harmonize flavors.
- Taste and fine-tune seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot, allowing the robust and hearty soup to showcase its complex flavor profile.
Notes
- Selecting beans carefully prevents unwanted grit and ensures a smooth, enjoyable soup texture.
- Quick-soaking technique saves time when traditional overnight soaking is forgotten, making the recipe more flexible.
- Browning sausage separately enhances flavor development and reduces excess grease in the final dish.
- Monitoring bean tenderness prevents overcooking, maintaining a pleasant texture throughout the cooking process.
- Adjust liquid levels during simmering to control soup consistency, creating a personalized dining experience.
- Consider swapping protein for vegetarian alternatives like plant-based sausage or extra firm tofu for dietary adaptations.
- Adding smoked paprika or chipotle powder can intensify the smoky flavor profile if sausage lacks robust taste.
- Prep Time: 12 hours
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 12 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg