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My slow cooker bean soup comes to the rescue when life gets hectic. Nothing beats walking in the door and catching that amazing aroma of hearty soup that's been cooking all day. It's definitely one of those comfort dishes that lifts your spirits.
Soul-Warming Soup Bowl
Forget what you've heard about soup not being filling enough. This one's stuffed with protein-rich beans, crunchy bacon, and a bunch of vegetables. I always turn to it when I need something that'll keep everyone full without spending forever in the kitchen.
What You'll Want
- Bacon: Cut it into tiny pieces and fry until perfectly crisp for that wonderful smoky taste.
- Olive Oil: Add a tiny bit to cook the vegetables.
- Onions: Whatever variety you have works fine.
- Celery: Gives that wonderful texture and taste.
- Carrots: Baby carrots save time since they're already sized right.
- Chicken Broth: Creates that deep, tasty base.
- Worcestershire Sauce: My hidden ingredient for boosting flavor.
- Garlic Powder: Because nearly everything tastes better with garlic.
- Thyme: Either dried or fresh will do the job.
- Cumin: A small amount adds that cozy earthy flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: Adjust to match your preference.
- Great Northern Beans: They turn wonderfully soft and smooth.
Cooking Time
- Get That Bacon Going
- Cook your bacon until it's super crisp in a skillet then set aside you'll thank yourself later.
- Prep Your Slow Cooker
- Pour in the olive oil and add your vegetables to get everything set for slow cooking.
- Toss It All Together
- Now throw in that crispy bacon beans and all seasonings and don't miss the Worcestershire.
- Pour The Liquid
- Add enough broth to completely cover the ingredients.
- Walk Away
- Switch to high heat and let it cook for around 5 to 6 hours till the beans become perfectly soft.
- Finish With Toppings
- Garnish as you wish maybe some cheese sour cream chopped green onions or extra bacon bits.
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Nutritious Comfort
My family can't get enough of this soup and I'm happy it's full of nutritious stuff. You can lighten it up by swapping in turkey bacon or leaving meat out completely – it'll still taste fantastic.
Boosting The Richness
I often mix in some sour cream or a bit of milk at the end. It creates such a velvety texture. You can also use a little flour if you want a thicker soup.
Customizing Your Bowl
This recipe bends to your wishes. Try different beans, swap the vegetables, or play around with herbs. It's almost impossible to ruin and really fun to tweak.
Smart Cooking Tricks
Always crisp the bacon properly beforehand – it really enhances the overall taste. And if you're using dry beans, don't forget they need soaking overnight.
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Leftovers Magic
This soup stays good in your fridge for around 3 days. Just heat it gently and add extra broth if it's gotten too thick.
Meal Prep Wonder
I regularly double the batch for freezing. Let it cool down completely, transfer to containers, and you've got a ready meal for another time. It stays good for about two months frozen.
Weekday Lifesaver
A big pot on Sunday gives us meals throughout the week. It really helps on those crazy days when cooking isn't even an option.
Great Pairings
Grabbing some crusty bread for dipping is fantastic with this soup. Sometimes I whip up cornbread or just toss a basic salad to go alongside it.
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Flavor Boosters
Throw in some smoked paprika or chili powder if you want extra zing. You can also mix in spinach or tomatoes for more variety and color.
Slow Cooker Magic
My slow cooker takes all the work out of this dish – just put everything in and walk away. As a bonus, your whole place smells incredible for hours.
Family Friendly
Even my fussiest children eat this soup happily. They love adding their own toppings – usually tons of cheese – and their bowls are always empty afterward.
Total Comfort
This is definitely a feel-good recipe. It's ideal for relaxed evenings at home or whenever you need something soothing in your day.
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Cozy Winter Meal
When it's freezing outside, coming home to this soup feels amazing. The mixture of beans with bacon just warms you from inside out.
Wallet Friendly
Using basic stuff like dried beans and common vegetables keeps costs down. It's great when you need to feed lots of people without spending a fortune.
Spicy Options
I'll sometimes add chopped jalapeños or a few drops of hot sauce. My husband prefers everything with heat and it definitely pumps up the flavor.
Trusty Standby
This soup never disappoints me. It's straightforward enough for regular days but good enough for guests too. Plus everyone loves it, which always counts as a success in my book.
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Final Thoughts
A simple-to-make dish where rich beans, smoky bacon, and crisp veggies get slow-cooked into a satisfying, hands-off dinner.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Should I soak beans beforehand?
You don't need to soak beans first for crockpot cooking. The long time in the pot softens them perfectly.
- → Why not cook bacon in the crockpot?
Crisping it first makes the texture better and the flavor more intense when you add it to the mix.
- → What are good toppings?
Try green onions, shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, or even more bacon. Pick your favorites to make it extra tasty.
- → Can I slow-cook it on low?
Sure, you'll just need 8-10 hours instead of 5-6 on high. Both ways get the beans nice and soft.
- → How do I keep leftovers fresh?
Use an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. If it thickens, just add broth when you heat it back up.