Creamy White Bean Soup With Spicy Paprika Oil Recipe (2024)

By Alexa Weibel

Creamy White Bean Soup With Spicy Paprika Oil Recipe (1)

Total Time
30 minutes
Rating
4(1,702)
Notes
Read community notes

As easy as it is fast, this simple blended white bean soup relies upon cheap staples like canned beans, stock, garlic, olive oil, shallots and dried herbs. An artful drizzleof paprika oil enlivens it. While the soup simmers, toast red-pepper flakes and smoked paprika in olive oil to make a vibrant red sauce inspired by Chinese chile oil. The soup is great before blending — it’s more like a stew — but purées to a creamy white. You could top the soup with sautéed quartered button mushrooms, roasted vegetables or toasted croutons, but the paprika oil provides deep flavor, and is the only garnish you truly need.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 servings (8 cups)

    For the Soup

    • ¼cup extra-virgin olive oil
    • 3large shallots, minced (about ⅔ cup)
    • 4large celery stalks, peeled and thinly sliced
    • 5garlic cloves, minced
    • 3teaspoons dried Italian seasoning or herbes de Provence
    • teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)
    • ¾teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary (optional)
    • Kosher salt and black pepper
    • 6cups chicken or vegetable stock
    • 3(14-ounce) cans cannellini beans (or chickpeas), rinsed
    • 2cups half-and-half or almond milk

    For the Paprika Oil

    • cup extra-virgin olive oil
    • teaspoons smoked (hot or sweet) paprika
    • ½teaspoon red-pepper flakes

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

637 calories; 34 grams fat; 10 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 20 grams monounsaturated fat; 4 grams polyunsaturated fat; 62 grams carbohydrates; 12 grams dietary fiber; 10 grams sugars; 24 grams protein; 1421 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Creamy White Bean Soup With Spicy Paprika Oil Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Prepare the soup: In a large pot, heat ¼ cup oil over medium. Add the shallots, celery, garlic, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds (if using) and rosemary (if using); season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes, reducing the heat to medium-low if needed to avoid browning the vegetables.

  2. Step

    2

    Add the stock and rinsed beans, and bring to a boil over high. Once the mixture comes to a boil, cook over medium-high until flavors meld and stock thickens, about 15 minutes.

  3. Step

    3

    While the soup cooks, prepare the paprika oil: Heat ⅓ cup oil in a small skillet over the lowest heat on your smallest burner. Add the paprika and red-pepper flakes and cook, stirring frequently, just until toasted and flavors bloom, 1 to 2 minutes. Strain, discarding flakes, then set paprika oil aside.

  4. Step

    4

    Working in batches if needed, transfer the soup to a blender and purée until smooth, adding half-and-half or almond milk to thin to desired consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

  5. Step

    5

    Divide among bowls and drizzle with strained paprika oil to serve.

Ratings

4

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1,702

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Cooking Notes

Mary

Sarah - A 14 oz. can of beans holds 9 oz of beans and the rest is water. About 4 oz. of dried beans is approximately 9 oz when cooked. To get 3 cans worth you need (3 x 4oz.) or 12 oz. of dried beans. If you're lucky enough to have an instant pot, it takes 30 minutes to go from dried to cooked with the added benefit of having no cans to recycle.

Sarah

I'm wondering what quantity of dry beans should be soaked and cooked to obtain the amount needed here.

Tam

Pretty good! When I chopped three shallots, we had more than 2 cups, but used it all and was good. I would use less stock than recommended - just four cups would do. It was pretty liquidy with six cups, and definitely didn’t need almond milk to be thinner.

Deborah

This was easy and good. Couldn’t get the oil as red as in the photo but the taste was great - added depth and interest to the soup; not that it needed much more. Used oat milk instead of dairy.Served on a small scoop of rice, and garnished with enoki tips that needed to be used up.

Sarah

Aleppo pepper flakes will yield that deep red color.

betteirene

These needs to become #thesoup, like #thestew and #thecookie. It's that good. It's like potato soup, but bean-y LOL. It has a warm kick, but it won't make you cry because the heat is tempered by the half-and-half.Made it without fennel because I had none. For anyone confused by the directions in step 3 ("until...seeds are toasted"), I've never seen red pepper flakes that didn't also contain red pepper seeds, which are the little beige bits mixed in with the red flakes.

Jenny

Really delicious, hearty vegetarian soup made with affordable ingredients. I used 4 c of broth instead of 6, didn't water it down with almond milk or half and half, but did add a couple of tablespoons of greek yoghurt and a splash (a tsp? half a tsp?) of sherry vinegar. Did not use fennel seeds, did use rosemary. Also added saffron to the oil, and it really enhanced the flavor and color. (I understand that this contradicts my claim about it being cost effective. We all contain multitudes.)

Anita Stephen

I was surprised and disappointed with the end result. Didn’t find the soup to be particularly tasty. 6 cups of broth was definitely too much. The soup was thin so I Added shredded cabbage and kale. Helped with consistency, but the flavor was still lacking.

smcneely

Because so many people said the soup was bland, I used an entire head of garlic but the soup didn’t taste garlicky at all. I also added more rosemary, both fresh and dried, which I ground up in my seed/nut grinder. I used the amount of cumin seeds but added freshly ground cumin to taste at the end. I also added a pinch of very spicy 5 pepper powder that I bought at a local Mexican restaurant and the hint of a kick was great. Also added a whole bag of cauliflower for extra nutrition and body. YUM

Bartfarkel

Sautéed into the mix a 1/4 pound of hot Italian Sausage (why not?) and added a few dollops fo crime frachie during the blending phase. Agree that 6 C of stock is way too much—I only added 4 and probably only 1 C of almond milk and it was still thin.

Laura

So great! I doubled everything in the recipe, except I used the same amount of half and half (2 c) and just 7 c of stock and the consistency was perfect. Added a Parmesan rind for when it was simmering (take it out before blending!) and bunch of dinosaur kale after pureeing.

Audrey

Very good. Based on others' notes, reduced the stock to 4 cups and needed no half-and-half. Otherwise as directed. Instead of the paprika oil, added 1 t. prepared harissa to the full pot of soup. More can be passed as garnish.

Kluski

@Sarah. A 15-oz. can of beans is about 1.5 cups. Dry beans are about 1/3 of that, tripling in volume when cooked. There are charts online for specific kinds of beans. I’m with you: I would make this with dry beans.

SAM

Followed the advice of other commentators here and used less liquid but added about a couple splashes of white wine. Also made slightly more oil than the recipe called for to drizzle over a demi baguette. Baked for 15 minutes at 375 and had some extremely tasty croutons for the soup!

Rebecca

I made this because I forgot to customize this week's produce box and ended up with an unwanted bunch of celery. I also had collard greens so chopped them and threw them in the saute. Pureed, it was avocado green, still very striking with the paprika oil. Adding red peppers instead might make a lovely pink variation. I used 4 c stock, no half and half. I didn't have Italian seasoning so used the fennel, rosemary, and oregano from my garden. A filling vegan meal with bread and salad. Delicious!

Amanda

I used only 3 cups of chicken broth and no milk but kept the rest of the ingredients the same and it turned out super flavorful. I used A LOT of rosemary though. The fennel seeds I feel were necessary in achieving the flavor. I didn’t think that the soup needed the paprika oil but it did make it a little bit spicier, which was nice.

Amy

Wonderful and hearty soup. Just what we wanted on a chilly Winter night. Made as directed with just minor edits: increased beans by about 25% to account for the reports of soup being too thin. Used a tad less stock and about half the suggested half and half. Used rosemary (I think it's a must and not optional!) and skipped the fennel (don't like it). Don't skip the paprika oil - it's a super soup finisher!

Karen Chicago

This is an easy, tasty soup that comes together quickly when you’re tired after work. I agree with the others that 4 c stock is enough. Also I felt the fennel and rosemary (I used dried, ground) should be mandatory ingredients. The fennel really lends a nice flavor.

Noomin

My guests raved! (I did, too, silently.) I used about 3 and a half 15 ounce cans of cannellinis and maybe about a quart of vegetable stock, and let it simmer a little longer than the recipe calls for, but I could tell it was going to be full of flavor. Only maybe half a cup of half and half, and probably could have done without. The aromatics and herbs that go in ensure that the soup is by no means bland, despite comments to the contrary. Freshness is all!

Caryn

This was exceptional. Handheld immersion blender for the win on this one. The only thing I will do differently next time is cool the oil garnish before adding to the soup. It was still so hot that it spread into a layer on top of the soup vs. retaining a nice drizzle. It still tasted fantastic, just not as visually appealing. I might also try some crispy fried sage on top as an additional garnish.

mm

Would an immersion blender work for this?

Pholiz

Oddly 2-dimensional, lacking complexity of flavor. Made exactly as instructed, in half. Won’t be making again.

LooseKnit

Excellent taste, not as thick as I expected, but great none the less. We were making bechamel at the same time so I added some of that in there. Delish

Betsy

I subbed onion for shallots; used 2 cans white beans and 1 can chickpeas. I used less stock per the reviews and it was too thick. Didn't care for this recipe at all, and I love white beans. Would not make it again.

Hank

Fantastic. Less than 10 ounces of dried beans fed the two of us.

Richard

Love this soup. I've made it several times, closely following the recipe, although, I blended it in the pot using an immersion blender. The last time, I followed everything closely with another deviation. I didn't strain the pepper flakes from the oil and just added all the unstrained oil to the soup after blending the soup. We loved the results.

JessT

I wish I’d read the reviews before making. This recipe is irredeemably bad. As others stated, the liquid proportions are off, and the soup is bland. The end result was a watery, flavorless mess. What a waste of ingredients.

Sheila Mooney

Am surprised that folks don't remark on the unusual flavor and haunting spice notes of this very, very good and easy-to-make soup. By chance I had extremely fresh dried herbes de Provence, smoked paprika and Aleppo pepper, fennel was not yet expired, rosemary grown on my windowsill. Halved the recipe, used less broth (BTB roasted veg) as generally agreed, did not add almond milk (weird, no?) but as someone else suggested, a spoonful of Greek yogurt: just the right touch.

Sebastian H.

One of the very few NYT recipes I didn't like, just came here to remove this from my own list.. BUT! Here's a recipe I really love if you're looking for something with white beans: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019241-beans-and-garlic-toast-in-broth

Nicole

Way too thin, even without the half and half/almond milk!

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Creamy White Bean Soup With Spicy Paprika Oil Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the thickener in a white bean soup? ›

What is the thickener in a white bean soup? In this recipe, what really thickens up the soup is the 15 oz of white beans that you are mashing and the starches from the potatoes. We aren't using cornstarch or a thickening agent in this recipe, it really doesn't need it!

How to make soup more spicy? ›

How To Make Soup Spicy
  1. Choose the Right Spices. Spices are the key to adding heat and depth to your soup. ...
  2. Sauté with Spice. Take your soup to the next level by sautéing the spices before adding them to the pot. ...
  3. Add Fresh Chilies. ...
  4. Incorporate Hot Sauce or Sriracha. ...
  5. Balance with Creaminess. ...
  6. Garnish with Heat.
Feb 1, 2024

How to get too much pepper out of beans? ›

Sour cream, yogurt, ghee, butter and milk can all neutralize the pepper flavor, depending on the dish. Mix in a small amount of a dairy and see if you taste a difference. Cream or milk helps balance out broth-heavy dishes, as well as a variety of other recipes.

What to add to bland bean soup? ›

Garlic and onions will bolster the taste of bean soup. Be sure to take a portion of the beans and mash or purée them for extra texture. Aromatics like celery or carrot will add more complex flavor notes.

What makes soup thick and creamy? ›

Add Flour, Cornstarch, or Other Thickener: Starches thicken soup and give it body. Whisk a few tablespoons of starch into a little of the broth in a separate bowl before whisking it into the main pot. This prevents the starch from clumping and helps it dissolve into the soup evenly.

Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

It's important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe that calls for ¼ cup (four tablespoons) flour, you only need two tablespoons cornstarch.

How do you add depth of flavor to soup? ›

Perk up a Bland Soup With Simple Pantry Staples

Add a splash of vinegar (any kind!), or a squeeze of citrus. Chances are, you could use a little more salt. Go ahead—it's ok. Salt perks up flat flavors and helps balance out bitter-tasting ingredients.

Does adding water to spicy soup make it less spicy? ›

Dilute It. Another simple way to temper something spicy is to dilute it. This can be done by adding more of the non-spicy ingredients to a dish (like vegetables, grains, meat or broth) or even just by adding water to thin it out.

Will milk make soup less spicy? ›

Dairy products interfere with some spices reaching the taste receptors in our bodies, decreasing the spicy sensation. Adding a little heavy cream, plain yogurt, buttermilk, or milk to a dish, when appropriate (not in your gumbo), will serve the same purpose and add creaminess. Coconut milk works in the same way.

How to tone down red pepper in soup? ›

So it makes sense that some sources suggest toning down pepper by adding the juice of half a lemon and a pinch of sugar. If diluting the soup by adding more broth doesn't work, lemon juice would be worth a try.

How do you fix too much cayenne pepper in soup? ›

Add a little lemon Juice. You might need to add a little bit of sugar to counteract the sour from the lemon. But just keep tasting with the lemon juice and sugar until you can't taste the pepper as much anymore. Of course this is for Blackpepper.

Why does my bean soup have no flavor? ›

Not Adding Acid

If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl.

What gives soup rich flavor? ›

"If your broth is lacking in savory richness, try adding roasted onion, tomato paste, mushrooms, seaweed, soy sauce, or miso. These ingredients add umami flavor and depth to broth," she says. The choice of ingredient depends on the recipe, though.

How do you reduce gas in bean soup? ›

But most people can enjoy more beans with less gas with the help of these tips: Soak beans overnight in water, then drain, rinse and cook in fresh water. This decreases the oligosaccharide content. Cooking the beans in a pressure cooker may reduce the oligosaccharides even further.

What do you use to thicken bean soup? ›

To thicken the broth in bean soup, you can try the following methods: Mashing a Portion of Beans: Gently mash a portion of the cooked beans against the side of the pot. This releases starches, naturally thickening the broth. Be careful not to overdo it; you still want to maintain the soup's texture.

What is the most common thickener for soups? ›

Roux (pronounced roo) is a mixture of equal weights (parts) of flour and fat (usually clarified butter; chicken fat, bacon fat, and margarine are also used) cooked over medium heat and stirred constantly. Roux is the most common thickener for sauces and soups.

How to thicken bean soup recipe? ›

Yes, you can use flour to thicken bean soup. Start by making a slurry with flour and cold water, then add it to the soup and stir well. Allow the soup to simmer for a few minutes to cook out any raw flour taste.

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