Bacon and Butter Bean Soup
We’ve packed this protein-rich soup with veg, then balanced out with creamy butter beans, a little cream cheese, and tender bacon.
Also in these categories:
NutritionPer Serving
- Calories182
- Fat4.8g
- Saturates1.8g
- Sugars4.9g
- Protein17g
- Carbs15g
For the full list of ingredients and comprehensive instructions, please see the recipe card below. Before you scroll, there’s important stuff in the blurb!
This soup is proof you can rustle up something warming and satisfying with even the simplest of ingredients. We’ve cooked down onions, leeks and carrots to form a solid, flavourful base, then added salty bacon to give the dish a savoury edge. Butter beans bring a natural creaminess, plus a good protein boost, making this much more than just a light lunch option. Or for a cosy dinner, why not pair it with our Caramelised Onion Cheese Toasties?
It’s an easy soup to batch cook and it also reheats beautifully, so you can always enjoy something comforting and homemade with minimal effort.
What diets is this Bacon and Butter Bean Soup suitable for?
This Bacon and Butter Bean Soup can easily be made gluten-free. If you’re cooking for someone with a gluten intolerance, just be sure to swap out the following for a suitable version:
- Stock cube
Remember to take extra care when you’re cooking for people with allergies. Use separate utensils, cookware, and preparation surfaces.
Do you need any special ingredients to make Bacon and Butter Bean Soup?
This post contains affiliate links. Find out what this means here.
No, this recipe doesn’t call for any special ingredients. You’ll find everything on your local supermarket shelves. If you don’t have a lidded pan or stick blender, don’t worry, we’ve popped links to some below.
Send us a Hint or Tip
We love hearing from you, submit any tips or tricks you have for this dish and we’ll review them and add some of them here. Just click here.
SEND US a HINT & TIP, Or QUOTE for this recipe
THANKS
we have your picture
The process
- Check
Now we have your Hint & tip
we’ll check them over. - Review We’ll review your Hint & Tip, and see if its suitable to use on the website.
Your details
- Name: %name%
- Recipe: %recipeName%
YOUR HINTS & TIPS
Your “QUOTE”
SWAG!
Due to the large number of submissions we recieve we’re afraid we’ll only inform you if we use it on the Recipe page - then we’ll send you some swag…
(Please remember others may of had the same idea as you!)
This post contains affiliate links: what this means
If you don’t have a large lidded saucepan, you can find one like this easily on Amazon 
Likewise, if you don’t have a stick blender, you can order one like this 
How many calories are in this Bacon and Butter Bean Soup?
There are only 182 calories in one serving of this Bacon and Butter Bean Soup, which means it falls into our Everyday Light category. These are all dishes under 400 calories, ideal for when you’re after a lighter bite (just like the category name suggests!), and they fit with diet plans like Weight Watchers if you’re calorie counting.
As a guide, an average man needs around 2,500kcal (10,500kJ) a day to maintain a healthy body weight. For an average woman, that figure is around 2,000kcal (8,400kJ) a day. Obviously, if your goal is to lose weight, then you might want to adjust these slightly. You can read more about these recommendations on the NHS website.
Step 1
Spray a saucepan with low-calorie cooking spray and place over a medium heat. When hot, add the bacon and fry for 5 minutes, until lightly browned.
Step 2
Add the onions, carrots, and garlic, and cook for further 5 minutes, until the onions have softened.
Step 3
Stir in the thyme.
Step 4
Add the stock and bring to the boil. Stir in the butter beans, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover with the lid and allow to cook for 20 minutes, until the carrots are soft.
Step 5
Stir the cream cheese into the pan, until it has melted. Pour 3 or 4 ladles of soup into a jug, and use a stick blender to blitz the mixture, until smooth and thick. Return this to the pan. This will thicken the soup, but leave plenty of chunky beans and veg for texture.
Step 6
Season with pepper, you shouldn’t need any salt. Then serve!
What could I serve with Bacon and Butter Bean Soup?
Bacon and Butter Bean Soup is delicious with a piece of crusty bread, or you could serve it with lots of different slimming-friendly options! Here are some ideas:
How do you know when Bacon and Butter Bean Soup is cooked?
You’ll know that your Bacon and Butter Bean Soup is cooked when the bacon is browned, the veg has softened, and the soup has reached your desired consistency.
As per UK food safety guidelines, always cook meat until it reaches 75ºC and stays at that temperature for at least two minutes. This is to keep you and whoever it is you’re cooking for safe.
How long can you keep Bacon and Butter Bean Soup in the fridge?
Once you’ve served up your Bacon and Butter Bean Soup, ideally you should eat it within 4 hours.
If you do hang onto any leftovers, be sure to refrigerate them in an air-tight container with a lid. You can store Bacon and Butter Bean Soup in the fridge for approximately 2 days or so.
Can I freeze Bacon and Butter Bean Soup?
Yes, you can! This recipe can be frozen after cooking, just remember to do the following:
- Freeze it as soon as it’s cold enough.
- Use a container suitable for freezing.
- Don’t forget to add a label reminding you what it is, and on what date you put it in the freezer!
How do I reheat Bacon and Butter Bean Soup?
From chilled: Place in a microwave0proof container with loosely fitting lid, and heat for 4-7 minutes — until piping hot.
From frozen: Allow to defrost fully, and heat covered in the microwave for 3-5 minutes — then stir. Cook for a further 5-7 minutes, until piping hot.
ORDER Our NEW cookbook Slow Cooker NOW
Bacon and Butter Bean Soup
We’ve packed this protein-rich soup with veg, then balanced out with creamy butter beans, a little cream cheese, and tender bacon.
-
Prep Time
10 MINS
-
Cook Time
28 MINS
- KCals 182
- Carbs 15G
Instructions
- Spray a saucepan with low-calorie cooking spray and place over a medium heat. When hot, add the bacon and fry for 5 minutes, until lightly browned.
- Add the onions, carrots, and garlic, and cook for further 5 minutes, until the onions have softened.
- Stir in the thyme.
- Add the stock and bring to the boil. Stir in the butter beans, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover with the lid and allow to cook for 20 minutes, until the carrots are soft.
- Stir the cream cheese into the pan, until it has melted. Pour 3 or 4 ladles of soup into a jug, and use a stick blender to blitz the mixture, until smooth and thick. Return this to the pan. This will thicken the soup, but leave plenty of chunky beans and veg for texture.
- Season with pepper, you shouldn't need any salt. Then serve!
Looking for Slimming World Syns or Weight Watchers (WW) Points?
With ever-changing plans and point calculations, we have made the decision to remove WW Points from the website - referring to your individual plan or advice from your consultant is always going to give the most accurate results.
—
We agreed with Slimming World to remove their trademarked terms from our website
If you’ve made this Bacon and Butter Bean Soup and loved it, let us know by sharing a photo and tagging us on Instagram or in our Facebook group!
Join the conversation
Comment or ask our advice