Butter bean soup
Our creamy butter bean soup recipe is a comforting mixture of soft butter beans, tender cauliflower, and creamy coconut milk. It is topped with crispy turkey bacon and fresh parsley. A delicious soup that works any night of the week and can be on the table in under an hour.
Ingredients
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5 g
Butter
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1
Large cauliflower (about 700 g), cut into large pieces
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1 tsp
Cumin
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1 tsp
Salt
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Freshly ground black pepper
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800 ml
Water
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1 can
Coconut milk (about 400 g)
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15 g
Vegetable stock powder
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4 cans
Butter beans
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Toppings
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1 pack
Turkey bacon (100 g), fried until crisp
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20 g
Parsley, roughly chopped
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Instructions
Recipe tips
It’s often the small details that make the biggest impact in the kitchen, so we’re sharing the tips we rely on when cooking and creating recipes
For a smooth finish, blend the soup fully until the butter beans and cauliflower form a thick, creamy base. Use a stick blender directly in the pot, or transfer the soup in batches to a blender, and blend until no lumps remain. This gives you a lusciously thick, completely smooth mixture and allows the flavours to come through evenly.
Add the toppings just before serving to keep them at their best. Crispy turkey bacon stays crunchy this way, rather than softening in the hot soup, and freshly chopped parsley keeps its colour and fresh flavour. Finish with a light grind of black pepper right at the end to hint at the flavours in the soup and give the bowl a more inviting look.
FAQ: Questions about butter bean soup
Below, we have gathered common questions and answers about the butter bean soup. It covers topics such as using dried beans instead of canned beans, adjusting the texture, and storing or freezing leftovers.
Can I use dried butter beans instead of tinned?
Dried butter beans can be used instead of tinned, but you will need to make some small adjustments to the butter bean soup. Begin by soaking 400–500 g of dried butter beans overnight in cold water. After soaking, rinse the beans, add fresh water to the pan, and boil them until tender. This usually takes about 45–90 minutes, but a pressure cooker will speed up the process. Once the beans are soft, add half to the soup for blending and keep the rest whole to add later on.
What should I do if the butter bean soup is too thick after blending?
If the butter bean soup is too thick after blending, add a small amount of water, vegetable stock, or coconut milk. Add the additional liquid slowly and stir well to ensure the soup does not become too thin. Gradually add the extra liquid until you reach the desired consistency, but remember this soup is meant to be thick, so avoid thinning it too much.
How should I store butter bean soup?
Let the butter bean soup cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to about 3 days. For longer storage, pour the cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags and freeze it for up to 3 months. You can reheat the soup slowly on the hob over medium heat until it is warm. If you are reheating from frozen, thaw the soup overnight in the fridge before warming it. Add the parsley and turkey bacon just before serving, and enjoy the reheated soup within 24 hours.
Can I freeze the butter bean soup?
Yes, you can freeze the butter bean soup. Let the soup cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to 3 months. Leave out the herbs and turkey bacon before freezing, as both lose their texture once thawed. When you plan to serve the soup, thaw it overnight in the fridge until fully defrosted. Reheat it gently until warm, then add the toppings just before serving.
Nutritional values per serving
Energy:
499 Kcal
| Energy distribution % | Nutritional values per serving | |
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| Fibre | - | 23.1 g |
| Protein | 18.2 % | 22.4 g |
| Fat | 41.1 % | 23.2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 40.7 % | 50 g |
Relish the comfort of a butter bean soup
Thick, warm soups are like a hug in a bowl, ideal for cosy evenings at home with loved ones. This butter bean and cauliflower soup captures that feeling in the best way possible. As you cook up this soup, the fragrance of warm cumin fills the air with a subtle sweet earthiness that melds with the cauliflower, butter beans, and coconut milk. The finished soup is smooth and comforting, well-suited to serving on its own or with chunky sliced bread or flatbreads for dipping.
If you enjoy hearty, comforting dishes like this one, you might also like our black bean soup, lentil curry, pork and bean stew, and burrito bowl. All of them make easy, satisfying meals that work well for everyday cooking.
Wonderful creaminess from blended vegetables and coconut milk
The creaminess of this soup comes from a combination of coconut milk and blended vegetables. As the cauliflower and butter beans simmer, they soften completely, allowing the soup to blend into a thick, smooth consistency. At this stage, the creaminess of the coconut milk becomes more noticeable, as does its distinctive coconut aroma. It introduces a light sweetness and an underlying tropical note.
If you enjoy a bit of texture, keep some butter beans aside and stir them in after blending. This adds a gentle bite while keeping the soup rich and creamy.
Topped with crispy bacon and fresh parsley
No bowl of soup is complete without a good topping. And honestly, who can say no to some good crispy bacon? This recipe uses turkey bacon, which adds plenty of savoury crunch without overpowering the flavours of the soup. Fry it in a pan or cook it in the oven, just make sure it turns properly crisp before scattering it over the bowl.
We also eat with our eyes, so it is always nice to add some final touches to your meals. A sprinkle of fresh parsley does the trick perfectly. It adds a bright pop of green and a light, herby freshness that complements the warm cumin and delicate seasonings. A simple finishing touch that makes the soup look just as inviting as it tastes.
Serve as a starter or a main with sides
This butter bean soup can be enjoyed as a small starter or as a main with a few simple sides. Serve a smaller portion at the start of a meal, or enjoy a generous bowl on its own when you want something warm and satisfying.
If you are serving it as a main, add warm, crusty bread or garlic crostini on the side for dipping. And for something fresher, a simple green salad with a zesty vinaigrette makes a nice contrast to the soup’s creamy texture.
Ideas for varying the recipe
Make our butter bean soup your own with some fun, creative touches. A sprinkling of smoked paprika adds a sweet, barbecue touch while cayenne pepper introduces gentle heat perfect for spice lovers. Dried thyme or Italian seasoning lightens the rich coconut and cumin flavours, adding aromatic depth and earthiness. For a tangy flair and texture change, mix some sun-dried tomatoes or freshly diced tomatoes into the soup after blending.
Consider making some substitutions, such as replacing the turkey bacon with fried smoked tofu, Italian sausage, or vegan bacon bits. Each of these toppings delivers a salty touch, but the tofu and vegan bacon bits are ideal for vegetarians and still offer a mouth-wateringly crispy topping. Crumbled Italian sausage is rich and delicious, complementing the soft butter beans and underlying cumin flavour.
If you are looking for more cooking inspiration, you will find plenty of ideas here. Our high-protein, high-fibre recipes and high-fibre meals bring together dishes that suit simple, balanced cooking, while our guides to high-fibre foods, high-fibre vegetables, and sources of protein for vegetarians offer extra inspiration for making delicious meals at home.
