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

out of 5

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? ›

Addition of Cornstarch or Flour: Create a slurry by mixing equal parts cornstarch or flour with water. Stir this mixture into the soup and let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens. Ensure there are no lumps by gradually adding the slurry while stirring constantly. Use of Potato Flakes or Mash.

What is a good substitute for white beans in soup? ›

7 Top Substitutes for Cannellini Bean
  • Great Northern Beans. Great northern beans look similar to cannellini beans and have the same softness and smooth texture. ...
  • Red Kidney Beans. Next, we have red kidney beans as the best substitute for cannellini beans. ...
  • Butter Beans. ...
  • Black Beans. ...
  • Pinto Beans. ...
  • Navy Beans. ...
  • Adzuki Beans.
Nov 10, 2022

How do you get too much pepper out of beans? ›

Adding coconut milk reduces the effect of too much pepper. That's what the people from Thailand commonly add. Sugar or Cream have also been suggested.

How do you make soup creamier and thicker? ›

6 ways to thicken soup:
  1. Blend all or part of it. If you've made a broth with chunks of vegetable in it, such as minestrone soup, then pour the soup through a sieve. ...
  2. Add cream or yogurt. ...
  3. Add flour or cornflour. ...
  4. Use a butter and flour paste. ...
  5. Blend in bread. ...
  6. Add lentils or rice.

What 2 ingredients are used to thicken the soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

Does soup thicken with lid on or off? ›

When to Keep the Lid Off. Cooking a soup, stew, or sauce uncovered allows water to evaporate, so if your goal is to reduce a sauce or thicken a soup, skip the lid. The longer you cook your dish, the more water that will evaporate and the thicker the liquid becomes—that means the flavors become more concentrated, too.

How do you properly thicken a soup without making it too heavy? ›

Start by using 1 tablespoon of cornstarch at a time, mixed with 2 tablespoons of water. More cornstarch slurry can be added, but be sure not to add too much. Only mix in a small amount of slurry at a time to ensure that your soup will thicken properly. Using corn starch is a fast, effective way to thicken soup.

How do you thicken soup beans without cornstarch? ›

Add a roux: In a separate pan, melt butter and stir in flour to make a roux. Cook until the mixture is golden brown, then whisk it into the soup. The roux will help thicken the soup and add a slightly nutty flavor. After cooking, try mashing a small portion of the beans and stir them back into the whole beans.

What are the 4 types of white beans? ›

What Are White Beans? White beans as a category includes navy beans, great northern beans, cannellini beans, baby lima beans, butter beans, garbanzo beans, pinto beans, etc. These are the most popular types of white beans (cooked white beans), however each type has its own unique peculiarities and features.

What is the difference between white beans and Great Northern beans? ›

Cannellini Beans are larger and heartier than Great Northerns and are sometimes referred to as “white kidney beans” because of their traditional kidney shape. You'll often find them mixed with pinto beans.

What is the difference between white beans and cannellini beans? ›

Cannellini beans are the largest of the group and because of their traditional kidney shape, they can also be referred to as White Kidney Beans. Meatier than Navy or Great Northern beans, they have a nutty, earthy flavor and tender flesh, and are often used in Italian dishes like Minestrone.

How do you fix spicy beans? ›

6 Tips to Fix Dishes That Are Too Spicy
  1. Add Dairy. There's a lot of hype about using milk to help provide relief from spicy foods, and for good reason. ...
  2. Use Citrus. ...
  3. Add Nuts or Nut Butters. ...
  4. Sprinkle in Sugar. ...
  5. Add Starch or Grains. ...
  6. Dilute It.
Apr 14, 2022

Can onions reduce pepper in soup? ›

Throw in an absorbent vegetable to soak up spice.

Grate the carrots and chop the celery, onions, or potatoes into small pieces. With their mild flavor, these veggies work in a variety of dishes from soups to casseroles and curries for both excessive black pepper and chili peppers.

What neutralizes spicy food? ›

Turns out, the fiery chemical in hot chilis, capsaicin, likes to bind itself onto a compound in milk, which neutralizes the burn. Add a generous dollop of sour cream, creme fraiche, or yogurt to scorching hot chili or stews, or even a touch of milk or cream. For best results, though, go with full-fat dairy.

What is the best thickener for soup? ›

Potatoes, Rice, and Bread

Cooked potatoes or rice can be mashed or puréed and added to soup for more body. Simmering potatoes and grains in soup will also thicken the liquid slightly. Bread crumbs are used to thicken Italian Wedding Soup.

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.

Does bean soup thicken on its own? ›

Rice, lentils, and beans release a lot of starch and naturally thicken soups simply from simmering, but you can also mash half the cooked rice/lentils/beans before adding to the soup for a simple way to thicken your dish. Alternatively, blend half or all of the soup for a smoother texture.

How do you thicken white bean paste? ›

Transfer the bean paste to a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Continue to stir occasionally to avoid browning the bean paste. Your goal is to evaporate enough water to thicken the paste.

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