Dilly Bean Soup

Dilly Bean Soup made with white kidney beans, carrots, celery, and onions, cooked to perfection. Just cook beans, add veggies, season, and finish with dill. Easy and delicious!

Cooking a good soup is always worth the effort. At first, I thought it was a complicated process, but as I learned more, I discovered that I could freely enjoy a bowl of delicious soup without strictly following the exact quantities of ingredients and timings. 

Soups are also great for filling up while providing you with essential nutrients. If you love the flavors of dill, garlic, and beans, dilly bean soup will be the perfect go-to soup for you. This is another easy soup recipe that you can follow as long as you have these ingredients in your kitchen.

Ingredients needed

1. White Kidney Beans: also known as cannellini beans, I choose them for their creamy texture and mild flavor, which complements the dill.
2. Carrots: Look for firm carrots with a bright orange color and smooth skin. Choose medium-sized carrots that are not too thick for easier dicing and even cooking in the stew.
3. Celery: Choose celery stalks that are crisp and firm, with brighter the green leaves the better. The stalks should not be too thick or fibrous.
4. Onion: I like sweet onions. They are ideal for this stew cause of their mild flavor and subtle sweetness. Don’t be afraid to pick those round onions with thin, papery skins.
5. Dill: Fresh dill should have vibrant green leaves and firm stems. Avoid dill with any signs of wilting or yellowing. The aroma should be fresh and fragrant, indicating its flavor intensity.
6. Seasoning: dried herbs such as oregano and mixed herbs, which should have a strong aroma and vibrant color. Freshly ground black pepper will have a robust flavor and aroma. Here’s what I used exactly  (oregano, black pepper, dried mixed herbs and salt for taste). I avoid paprika or turmeric or anything that will most like change the color of my dish.

Detailed quantities are on the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to make Dilly Bean Stew

1. Cook the beans with 3 to 4 cups of water for about 2 hours. To reduce the cooking time, I prepare the beans in advance and soak them in water overnight. Meanwhile, chop one large carrot, one medium white onion, and a stick of celery.

2. Once the beans have cooked, add the carrots, onions, and celery to the pot and allow it to cook for about 20 minutes. If you have extra time, you can also sauté the carrots, onion, and celery in olive oil first before adding them to the beans. 

3. Add more water if the beans aren’t soft yet. For a richer savory flavor and brothy beans, you can add chicken broth instead of water. Season with your preferred seasoning. I use teaspoons of oregano, black pepper, dried mixed herbs, and salt to taste . Simmer for another 20 to 25 minutes.

4. Check if the beans and carrots are tender. Then, you can add the coarsely chopped dill and cover the pot. You may remove the pot from heat but keep it covered for 5 more minutes to allow the dill to cook.

5. Your dilly bean soup is ready to be served and enjoyed

Tips and common mistakes to avoid

1. Plan this white kidney bean soup recipe ahead, soak them in warm water a day before cooking it. This will drastically adjust the cooking time.
2. If you want to cooking this soup same day and cant really soak the beans then dropping a silver metal teaspoon in the beans will help them cook faster.
3. Whenever you opt to use broth instead of water, always do a taste test before adding any seasoning such as salt because store bought broths are a bit high in sodium.
4. Do not over cook the beans they might end up being like mashed beans.

What Will Pair Well with Dilly Bean Soup

Here are some pairings ideas that will turn your soup into a filling meal and add extra flavors and textures:

1. Freshly baked sourdough bread: My bowl is always spotless like I never had any soup in it whenever i pair it with freshly baked sourdough bread cause it allows me to mop it clean.
2. Toasted garlic bread: if you love soup, you definitely a bread lover cause the two go well together. I like to toast my garlic bread for that crispy crunch texture.
3. White rice: If I prepared this dilly bean stew for dinner, I will most likely serve it over a bowl of white rice.
4. Croutons: You can add few croutons to your bowl for a deluxe meal.
5. Savory Scones: Not forgetting the traditional dinner rolls of course.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Soup

What I noticed about beans soup recipes is that they are even more flavorful the next day, Im thinking maybe the flavors infuse better over night? Anyway I am not complaining, here’s how to store and reheat your dilly bean soup to maintain its taste and texture:

Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

The key to reheating Dilly Bean Soup is to do it gently and slowly. Warm it on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. If the soup appears too thick after storing, a splash of water or vegetable broth can bring it back to its original consistency. Avoid high heat to prevent the beans from becoming mushy and the vegetables from losing their texture.

If you’re in a rush, the microwave is a convenient option. Place the soup in a microwave-safe bowl, cover it with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel, and heat on high for 2-3 minutes. Stir halfway through to ensure even warming.

More delicious soup ideas

Is this dilly bean soup recipe the same as Alison Roman dilly bean stew recipe?

They are slightly similar but Alison Roman adds other ingredients like frizzled onions which are more like caramelized onions and cabbage to her dilly bean stew recipe.