Description
This hearty and comforting Lima Bean Soup is a flavorful blend of tender lima beans, potatoes, and aromatic vegetables simmered in a savory vegetable broth. Perfect for a cozy meal, this plant-based soup combines fresh herbs and simple ingredients to deliver a nutritious and satisfying dish in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3-4 russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
Herbs and Spices
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 bay leaf
Beans and Broth
- 2 cups lima beans (canned and rinsed or dried and cooked)
- 8 cups vegetable broth
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: In a large heavy bottom pot, warm the olive oil over medium heat to prepare for sautéing the vegetables.
- Sauté celery, carrot, and onion: Add the chopped celery, carrots, and onion to the pot. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently until the onion is just tender. Add splashes of water as needed to prevent sticking and to help loosen the vegetables from the bottom.
- Add herbs and seasoning: Mix in the dried thyme, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until the onion and celery soften further.
- Cook the garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for 20-30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Add potatoes and lima beans: Incorporate the peeled and chopped potatoes along with the lima beans, stirring to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add broth and simmer: Pour in the vegetable broth and add the bay leaf. Stir everything together and bring the soup to a gentle simmer with the lid slightly ajar. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.
Notes
- You can use canned lima beans for a quicker preparation or dried beans that have been soaked and cooked ahead of time.
- Adding splashes of water during sautéing helps prevent vegetables from sticking without using extra oil.
- Adjust seasoning at the end to taste, especially salt and pepper.
- For a creamier texture, you can blend a portion of the soup and mix it back in.
