Spice Up Your Campbell’s Bean and Bacon Soup With These Easy Add-Ins

Campbell’s Bean and Bacon soup is a classic that many of us grew up with. That familiar red and white can conjures up memories of sick days home from school or cozy weekends with grilled cheese sandwiches. While the classic Campbell’s version is delicious in its own right, you can take it to the next level by adding your own ingredients. A little creativity turns canned soup into a hearty, flavorful and nutritious meal.

Below I’ll share my favorite ingredients and methods for enhancing traditional Campbell’s Bean and Bacon soup. With some simple add-ins, you can transform this premade soup into a dish that tastes like you spent hours slaving over the stove (but don’t worry, I won’t tell) Let’s dive in!

Why Add to Canned Soup?

First, let’s talk about why you’d want to enhance premade canned soups in the first place. Convenience is great, but canned food often lacks flavor compared to homemade. Canned soup tends to have a flat, one-dimensional taste. Many varieties also do not contain much nutritional value. They are heavy in sodium, preservatives and lacking in vegetables.

While it’s easy to just heat and eat canned soup straight from the can, you can maximize the experience with a few extra ingredients. Adding fresh vegetables, herbs, spices and protein boosts the flavor significantly. It also increases the nutrition and satisfaction factor. Transforming a canned soup makes it feel like a “real” meal.

Best Vegetables to Add

One of the easiest ways to increase the flavor and nutrition of Campbell’s Bean and Bacon soup is to add extra vegetables Here are some of my favorites

Onions

Onions are a classic soup vegetable They add tons of flavor and sweetness I like to sauté diced onions before adding them to the saucepan with the canned soup. Cook them until they are caramelized for maximum depth of flavor.

Celery

Celery is another traditional soup ingredient. It adds a fresh, delicious crunch. Make sure to chop the celery into small but not too tiny pieces so they remain a fun textural component.

Carrots

For a touch of natural sweetness, add shredded or diced carrots. They also add great color to the soup. I use about 1/2 to 1 whole carrot per can of soup.

Tomatoes

Diced tomatoes or tomato paste lend an acidic tang and richness that complements the creaminess of the soup. I usually use 1 roma tomato per can of soup, or a tablespoon or two of tomato paste.

Potatoes

For extra heartiness, you can never go wrong with potatoes in soup. Dice some russet or red potatoes. Add them early so they have time to become perfectly fork-tender.

Frozen Vegetables

Add a bag of frozen mixed veggies, like peas, corn, green beans and lima beans. You’ll get an extra serving of vegetables with zero prep.

Herbs, Spices and Seasonings

Besides vegetables, herbs and spices make one of the biggest impacts flavor-wise. Here are some of my favorites for really making Campbell’s Bean and Bacon soup pop:

Garlic

Sauteeing a few cloves of minced garlic in oil or butter before adding the soup boosts flavor exponentially. The warmth of the soup mellows the garlic perfectly.

Bay Leaves

Adding a bay leaf or two while simmering infuses the soup with subtle, aromatic flavor. Just be sure to remove them before serving.

Thyme

Fresh or dried thyme also enhances the savory flavor of the soup. Add a teaspoon or two early on so the flavor has time to develop.

Smoked Paprika

A pinch of smoked paprika brings a tasty hint of barbecue that pairs excellently with the bacon.

Pepper

Freshly cracked black pepper gives a bit of spicy zing. Pepper’s warmth balances the creaminess.

Hot Sauce

Similarly, a few dashes of hot sauce like Tabasco or Cholula adds back some heat that can be lacking in canned food.

proteins

Besides increasing the veggies and flavor components, adding extra protein takes your soup from a side dish to a hearty meal. Consider mixing in any of the following:

Bacon

Of course, you can never have enough bacon! Cook up some extra crispy bacon and crumble it on top.

Chicken

Shredded rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken breast adds bulk and heft.

Sausage

Cook Italian sausage, remove from the casing, crumble and add to the soup.

White Beans

More canned beans, like cannellini or great northern, provide plant-based protein.

Lentils

Pre-cooked lentils add fiber, protein and texture.

Eggs

For extra creaminess, whisk in an egg or two at the end.

Method

Now that you know what to add, let’s talk about how to transform a basic can of Campbell’s Bean and Bacon soup into a decked-out masterpiece.

Here is a simple method:

• Gather your ingredients – any veggies, herbs/spices, and proteins you want to add.

• If adding onions, carrots or other dense veggies, sauté them first in olive oil or butter until softened.

• If adding meat like bacon, sausage or chicken, cook it first before adding to the soup.

• Open the can of Campbell’s and pour it into a saucepan. If you want a thinner soup, add a bit of water.

• Add any sautéed veggies and fresh herbs/spices. Bay leaves and thyme are best added now.

• Simmer the soup gently for 10-15 minutes so the flavors can meld.

• Add any other veggies, cooked meat or proteins you are using.

• Continue simmering until heated through.

• Adjust seasoning to taste. Add salt, pepper or hot sauce as desired.

• If finishing with cream or eggs, add them just before serving so they don’t curdle.

• Ladle your dressed up bean and bacon soup into bowls. Top with any garnishes like bacon bits, shredded cheese or green onion.

Get Creative with Add-Ins

The possibilities are endless when it comes to ingredients you can add to Campbell’s Bean and Bacon soup. Follow your cravings and what you have on hand. Almost any vegetable or protein will work beautifully.

Some other ideas beyond what I already mentioned include:

• Corn
• Mushrooms
• Zucchini
• Wilted spinach
• Shrimp
• Tofu
• Edamame
• Leftover ham
• Leftover roasted veggies
• Pesto swirl

Don’t be afraid to get creative and make this classic soup your own. The beauty of starting with a convenience item like canned soup is it makes the cooking process faster and easier. All you need to do is add a few fresh ingredients of your choosing, and you have an elevated dish that tastes like you spent all day cooking.

So next time you are feeling that craving for comforting Campbell’s Bean and Bacon soup, take it up a notch with some easy add-ins. You can feel good knowing you are enjoying a homemade, nourishing and flavor-packed meal with very little work. Get creative with vegetables, herbs, spices and proteins and make this classic soup your own.