How to Can Bean Soup for Easy Meals All Year Long

Canning homemade bean soup is a fabulous way to create quick, healthy meals out of your pantry. With a batch of canned bean soup on hand, you’re never more than a few minutes away from a hot, comforting bowl of goodness. Canning locks in the flavor and texture perfectly for enjoying months down the road. Let’s explore the process of canning bean soup to keep your family fed all year long!

Why Can Bean Soup?

Canning bean soup at home offers many benefits:

• Convenience – Shelf-stable canned soup equals fast meals anytime. No more preparing dried beans!

• Cost savings – Homemade is far cheaper than store-bought canned soup

• Control ingredients – Make it exactly how you like with real, wholesome foods.

• Customize flavors – Change it up with endless bean varieties and seasonings.

• Food storage – Canned soup lasts 1+ years and provides emergency meals,

• Gift giving – Homemade soup makes a cherished gift for others.

Canning your own bean soup puts healthy, delicious soup at your fingertips while saving time and money in the kitchen.

Choosing Beans for Canning Soup

Nearly any bean can be used to make a soup suitable for canning Some top options include

• Navy beans – Traditional for baked beans and creamy soups.

• Pinto beans – Earthy flavor; mash easily to thicken soups.

• Kidney beans – Sturdy and perfect for chili bean soup.

• Black beans – Smooth, rich broth and vegetarian chili.

• Garbanzo beans – Hearty texture in minestrone or Mediterranean soups.

• Cranberry beans – Bold speckled beans for Tuscan style white bean soup.

• Lentils – No soaking needed and excellent protein in red lentil soup.

Mix and match different beans to create your signature soup recipes.

Tips for Canning Bean Soup

Follow these tips for safe, successful canned bean soup:

• Choose recipes formulated for canning. Do not can random soup recipes.

• Use tested canning times for bean variety and jar size. Beans must be canned under pressure.

• Don’t add noodles, rice, pasta or other thickeners before canning. These should be added right before serving.

• Underfill rather than overfill jars to allow for bean expansion during heating.

• Add seafood, meat and dairy ingredients right before serving or store separately.

• Season lightly and add extra seasonings like salt and strong herbs later.

• Allow 12-24 hours for canned soup to seal and plump perfectly after processing.

Step-by-Step Canning Bean Soup

Canning bean soup at home is simple. Just follow these steps:

1. Select recipe & prep jars

Choose a trusted, tested recipe for canning bean soup. Wash and sterilize canning jars, lids and rings.

2. Prepare bean soup base

Chop aromatics like onion, garlic, celery and carrots. Sort and rinse dried beans.

3. Combine ingredients in jars

Layer beans and vegetables in jars. Add seasonings and broth, leaving 1 inch of headspace.

4. Process filled jars

Wipe rims, seal jars and process in a pressure canner using proper time and pressure.

5. Cool & check seals

Allow jars to cool undisturbed. Check that lids sealed properly when completely cooled.

6. Store & enjoy!

Label jars with contents and date. Store in a cool, dark place. Enjoy for up to a year!

Delicious Canned Bean Soup Recipes

The possibilities are endless for homemade canned bean soups! Try recipes like:

• Classic Baked Bean Soup
• Spicy Three Bean Chili
• Hearty Ham and Bean Soup
• Curried Lentil and Chickpea Soup
• Italian Minestrone with Beans
• Southwest Black Bean and Hominy Soup
• Creamy White Bean and Garlic Soup

Make each batch your own with personalized seasonings and mix-ins. Bean soup cans beautifully!

Tips for Using Canned Bean Soup

Here are tips for savoring your homemade canned bean soup:

• Garnish with fresh herbs, green onion, shaved cheese or Greek yogurt.

• Stir in extra seasonings like hot sauce, black pepper or chili powder.

• Mix in cooked rice, pasta or grains for heartiness.

• Bake with cheese and breadcrumbs for easy soup casseroles.

• Puree with an immersion blender for rich, creamy texture.

• Serve with warm corn bread, crusty rolls or crackers.

With a well-stocked pantry full of canned bean soup, you’ll never wonder what’s for dinner again!

Common Questions About Canning Bean Soup

Here are answers to some frequently asked bean soup canning questions:

What is the shelf life of canned bean soup?
1 year stored in a cool, dark place. Always check seals before eating.

Can any bean soup recipe be canned?
No, only use tested canning recipes formulated for pressure canning.

Do beans need to be pre-cooked before canning soup?
No, raw dried beans can go straight into jars for canning bean soup.

What happens if beans expand too much during canning?
Carefully wipe rims before sealing so beans don’t interfere with the lid sealing. Underfilling jars helps prevent this.

Can canned bean soup be frozen instead of shelf-stored?
Yes, freezing is safe. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating to serve.

Canned Bean Soup Offers Versatile, Healthy Meals

With a well-stocked pantry full of delicious homemade canned bean soup, you’ll always have a quick, healthy meal option ready-to-go. Beans provide a budget-friendly dose of fiber and plant-based protein. Take advantage of their goodness by canning versatile bean soups tailored to your family’s tastes. Break out the canner and be prepared with nourishing canned bean soup all year long!