Vegetarian White Bean and Ham Soup

Warm up with this hearty and comforting Vegetarian White Bean and Ham Soup—minus the ham but loaded with smoky, savory flavor! This plant-based twist on a classic soup combines creamy white beans, tender vegetables, and fragrant spices like smoked paprika and thyme to mimic the deep, smoky undertones of traditional ham. A splash of soy sauce or tamari creates an irresistible umami depth, perfectly complementing the fresh greens stirred in at the end. Ready in under an hour with just 15 minutes of prep, this satisfying one-pot meal is perfect for weeknights or meal prepping. Serve it with a slice of crusty bread for an easy, wholesome dinner that’s as nourishing as it is delicious! Keywords: vegetarian soup, white bean soup, smoky vegetarian recipes, easy one-pot meals, plant-based comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium carrot, diced
• 2 medium celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 15-ounce cans canned white beans (such as cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari (for vegetarian umami flavor)
• 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, roughly chopped
• 0 to taste salt
• 0 to taste black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
• 0 crusty bread (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add diced onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, thyme, and bay leaf. Cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the white beans and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.

Step 5

Simmer the soup uncovered for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 6

Stir in the soy sauce or tamari for added depth of flavor. Adjust salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 7

Add the chopped spinach or kale to the pot during the last 5 minutes of cooking, stirring until wilted.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Step 9

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

Step 10

Serve hot with crusty bread on the side, if you like.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3137.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2162.3

Total Fat 48.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.9g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 9869.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 342.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 86.0g	0%
Total Sugars 38.2g
Protein 104.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1016.3mg	0%
Iron 37.4mg	0%
Potassium 7663.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 19.5%

Protein: 18.8%

Carbs: 61.6%