When it comes to easy, cozy, and budget-friendly meals, this 15 Bean Soup recipe is a forever favorite. This dish is a little smokey and surprisingly complex. It begs to be served with a big piece of crusty bread and lots of Parmesan shavings.
Bean soup is a hearty, comforting meal that warms you up on chilly nights. With loads of fiber, protein, and complex carbs, bean soup also provides lasting energy. But what should you eat alongside a steaming bowlful?
The best side dishes to serve with bean soup are ones that provide contrast. Think crunchy creamy or bright and acidic. These sides complement the soup’s thick, savory broth and mix of tender beans.
Bread is one of the most classic accompaniments for bean soups, The two are practically inseparable Bread can range from crusty loaves to warm biscuits to sliceable sandwich bread, Dip the bread right into the soup for full flavor
Beyond bread, bean soup also pairs well with fresh salads, warm sandwiches, cheesy bites, and even sweet treats. Read on for 36 delicious ideas to round out your next bowl of bean soup.
Best Breads to Serve with Bean Soup
Bread is the natural partner for bean soup. The two work in perfect harmony, like peanut butter and jelly. Here are some of the tastiest breads to enjoy with a steaming bowl of bean soup:
Cornbread
Cornbread is a quintessential pairing with bean soups of all kinds. The slightly sweet cornbread complements the soup’s savory profile. The crumbly texture also contrasts nicely with the broth’s smoothness. Warm a piece in your oven or toaster oven and enjoy.
Cornbread Muffins
For individual servings, make a batch of cornbread muffins. They deliver all the same perks but in cute, single-serve portions. Poppy seeds or cheddar cheese make tasty mix-in options.
30 Minute Dinner Rolls
Fluffy, soft dinner rolls need just a few ingredients and minutes to prepare. Let them bake while you heat up the soup. Pull apart the steaming hot rolls and dip into your bowl. Easy and delicious!
Dutch Oven No Knead Sourdough Bread
Hearty sourdough bread makes the ultimate soup accompaniment. Bake a round boule in a Dutch oven for a rustic artisan-style loaf. The tangy flavor and chewy crumb are perfect with bean soup.
Rosemary Cheddar Biscuits
These savory biscuits take no time to whip up. Buttery, flaky biscuits studded with chopped rosemary and cheddar cheese taste divine with bean soup. The biscuits soak up all the rich flavors.
Homemade Breadsticks
Crisp on the outside while tender inside, breadsticks are fun to dunk in soup. Make a batch yourself by rolling out pizza dough and sprinkling on garlic, Italian seasoning, parmesan, and more.
Cheesy Garlic Bread
For ultimate comfort food, toast up slices of crusty bread with butter, garlic, and melted cheese. Dip the garlicky goodness into your bean soup and enjoy this winning flavor combination.
Foccacia
Foccacia’s soft, olive-oil coated bread absorbs soup beautifully. Try topping your foccacia with caramelized onions, roasted garlic, or fresh herbs before baking for extra flavor. Tear off pieces to sop up every last drop of your soup.
More Sides for Bean Soup
Bread may be the classic, but it’s just the beginning. Bean soup also pairs wonderfully with lighter salad sides, warm cooked veggies, sandwich fillings, and even sweet desserts. Keep reading for more sensational sides to serve with bean soup.
Greek Salad
A refreshing Greek salad balances the heartiness of bean soup. Crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, tangy feta, and briny olives make a bright contrast. Drizzle on lemon vinaigrette just before eating.
Roasted Vegetables
Roasting caramelizes vegetables, concentrating their natural sweetness. Opt for classic roasting candidates like carrots, parsnips, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, or butternut squash.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Warm, melty grilled cheese sandwiches make the ultimate companion for soup. Use great bread and real cheese slices for an over-the-top indulgent treat. Consider adding ham or tomato.
BLT Sandwich
BLTs also pair wonderfully with bean soup. Crisp bacon, juicy tomato, and crunchy lettuce tucked between slices of toasted bread can’t be beat. Add avocado or cheese if desired.
Croutons
Croutons bring great texture to bean soup. Make your own by cubing day-old bread and tossing it with oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toast in the oven until crispy and crunchy.
Caprese Salad
Fresh mozzarella, juicy tomato slices, fragrant basil, and a drizzle of olive oil – this simple Caprese salad complements hearty bean soup beautifully. The tomatoes cut through the richness.
Quesadillas
Warm a tortilla with melted cheese for an easy quesadilla. Add taco meat or black beans for a heartier side. The combo of melty cheese and bean soup satisfies big time.
Corn on the Cob
In summer, cook up fresh corn on the cob to accompany your bean soup. The natural sweetness balances the soup’s deep, savory notes. Slather on butter for extra decadence.
Green Bean Casserole
This Thanksgiving classic also makes a stellar bean soup side. Creamy mushrooms, tender green beans, and crispy fried onions round out the meal wonderfully.
Cucumber Salad
A crisp cucumber salad offers relief from a rich soup. Toss sliced cucumbers with red onion, vinegar, olive oil, mint, and feta for a tangy, refreshing salad.
Apple Crisp
Warm apple crisp makes a sweet counterpoint after a savory soup. Apples layered with a crispy oat topping will hit the spot. Serve with ice cream for over-the-top indulgence.
Cookies
Keep it simple with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Or sandwiched ice cream between two cookies for the ultimate soup and sandwich.
Tips for Serving Bean Soup
Once you’ve chosen your bean soup side dishes, keep these serving tips in mind:
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Offer butter and crusty bread on the table for spreading and dipping.
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Preheat bowls or plates to keep soup steaming hot.
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Garnish soups with fresh herbs, croutons, or shaved cheese.
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Set out condiments like hot sauce, lemon wedges, or sour cream.
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For a meal, provide a soup spoon alongside a fork for eating sides.
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Chill beverages like iced tea, lemonade, or beer to contrast the hot soup.
With so many options for tasty sides, you could enjoy bean soup night after night without tiring of it. Try out cornbread, hearty sandwiches, vibrant salads, warm veggies, and sweet treats as bean soup companions. Just don’t forget the crusty bread – it’s essential for soaking up every last savory drop from your spoon.
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What to Serve with 15 Bean Soup
- Dutch Oven. A kitchen tool that will cook beside you for years.
- Ladle. Perfect for transferring this soup to bowls and storage containers.
Substitution Tip
You can use water instead of broth if you use a ham hock or bone because the ham will add salt to the soup on its own. Before serving, season with additional salt, to taste.
- Spices. A mix of favorites, like smoked paprika, that give the soup a lot of flavor. This soup, along with this Vegan Potato Soup, has a delicious smokiness that will make your spoon want more by drawing you back to the bowl.
- Fire-Roasted Tomatoes. One of the things I always have in my pantry! The tomatoes give the soup more flavor and liquid.
- Red Wine Vinegar. For a touch of acid and brightness. Don’t skip it; it brings the soup to life.
- Parmesan Cheese. The perfect finish for a touch of creaminess. (You also have to do it to finish a bowl of Minestrone Soup.) ).
- Soak the Beans. Put the beans in a large bowl and cover them with water before you start making the soup. Let stand overnight. OR see the quick soak method below.
- Drain and Rinse. Take the beans out of the water and give them a good rinse before you start cooking the soup.
- Cook the Bacon. Leave the drippings in the pot.
- Cook the Veggies. You can add the ham bone, bay leaf, beans, broth, or water.
- Simmer. Once the soup starts to boil, lower the lid and let it cook for a while longer. The beans should start to break down.
- Simmer More. After adding the tomatoes and spices, leave the pot uncovered to let the flavors develop even more.
- Finish. If you want, you can change the seasonings. Serve hot with Parmesan and fresh parsley. ENJOY!.
- Cajun 15 Bean Soup Recipe. Instead of regular soup, use a bag of Cajun 15 Bean Soup and seasoning. Add 1 diced green pepper with the onion. You can also use your favorite Cajun spice blend instead of the salt and spices in this recipe.
- 15 Bean Soup with Ham Hock. If you don’t have a hambone but still want this 15-bean soup to taste rich and hearty, you can use a ham hock instead. The ham hock will be salty, so don’t add salt until the very end. Also, use water instead of broth.
- 15 Bean Soup with Chicken. Remove the skin and bones from 1 pound of chicken breast and cook it in a pan with onion until it’s fully cooked. Finish cooking the soup as directed. You could also add shredded chicken that has already been made right before serving. For ideas, read my post on How to Make Chicken Breast or Shredded Chicken.
- 15 Bean Soup with Sausage. After you add the onion, cook the turkey sausage for one pound until it is fully cooked. Finish cooking the soup as directed.
- 15 Bean Soup with Hamburger. Season the lean ground beef with salt and pepper, then add it to the onion and cook it until it’s done. Finish cooking the soup as directed.
- 15 Bean Soup with Kielbasa. Brown 3/4 pound sliced smoked kielbasa with the onions. Finish cooking as directed.
- Vegetarian 15 Bean Soup Recipe. Omit the meat. Add more salt and extra virgin olive oil to taste to the vegetables. This version is also vegan! If you’d like, you can also add kale or spinach.
- To Store. Bean soup that has been saved can be kept in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container.
- To Reheat. Rewarm soup on the stove over medium-low heat until hot. You can also heat up leftovers in the microwave until they are hot all the way through.
- To Freeze. You can freeze soup for up to three months if you put it in a container that doesn’t let air in. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.