Spanish White Bean Soup Recipe

If there is something that Andalusians know how to do, it is to prepare the best soups for cold winter days.

In this article, you will get to know one of the most delicious Spanish soup recipes in all of Spain, the Sopa de alubias blancas, or as it is known in English, Spanish white bean soup.

Stay with us and learn how to make Spanish white bean soup and other tips and secrets from a local on how to get the most authentic Spanish taste.

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Background of the dish

This soup has been present in the Southern region of Spain for hundreds of years when white beans were brought from the then-American colonies.

hen its popularity returned in the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War, when this type of bean was abundant compared to other foods, and also offered a large number of nutrients that the soldiers needed.

Nowadays it’s one of the most popular comfort foods in Spain.

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Things You’ll Need for Spanish White Bean Soup

To make this Andalusian food, you will only need ingredients that are easy to find and cheap, and a couple of pots.

As said before, this soup was extremely popular in times of economic crisis, which means that you only need few ingredients and that they can be found at a low price.

For example, the most expensive ingredient in the recipe is white beans, and all the others are condiments that you can find in your pantry and a couple of vegetables that you can replace according to your personal taste.

Then you will only need a pan and a pot to make the soup, and even if you want you can make the entire recipe in the same pot, so you have no excuses!

Ingredients

• 300 g cooked beans
• 4 ½ cups (1 liter) chicken broth (or water)
• 4 leeks
• 1 cup (237ml) white wine
• 2 garlic cloves
• 4 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon saffron
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Optional: Spanish chorizo

How to make Spanish White Bean Soup – Step by Step Guide

1. The first step in this Spanish soup recipe is to remove the leaves and the roots of the leek. Chop it in small pieces, any shape and size of your choice. You can chop them julienne style, into small circles, etc. 
2. Then grab the garlic cloves and peel and chop them.  In a saucepan sauté them at medium heat for olive oil for 1 to 2 minutes. Before they get any color, add leek, salt, and pepper, and turn the heat to a low temperature. As a tip, you can do this step in the same pot where you’ll cook the soup, this way you’ll have to clean fewer dishes.
3. Next, cook the leek until it gets a soft texture, but prevent them from getting any color. To make sure that they don’t get any color, you can add some teaspoons of water, since this will make a “boiling” effect for the vegetables. 
4. Transfer the vegetables from the saucepan into a large pot. Then add white wine and cook until the alcohol evaporates.
5. To make sure that the wine evaporated, you should smell the saucepan (carefully, don’t put your head close!) and it only should smell like the vegetables. If you still feel the alcohol smell, then leave it for a couple of extra minutes.
6. After that add chicken broth, cook for 20 minutes on medium heat. You can replace the chicken broth with any of your choices, or even by water if you are in a hurry!
7. For the last step, add saffron, turmeric, and paprika, mix until dissolved, and cook for 5 minutes. Then add the cooked white beans and chopped parsley, give it a final mix and serve warm.

Substitution of ingredients

As with other Spanish soups, there are many changes you can make to the recipe, depending on your tastes or personal diet.

The easiest change is to change the beans for any legume of your choice, in this way you would have something similar to a Spanish garbanzo bean soup or Spanish lentil soup.

Try the Spanish beans and tomatoes if you want something similar and you love recipes with beans.

This change is ideal if you don’t have beans in your house but you do have other beans or lentils, which can easily be adapted to this recipe.

Another change you can make is to replace the chicken broth with any of your preferences or even water.

If you are replacing it with water, be sure to add a little more salt. Remember that you can also use homemade or store-bought broth, it will be delicious anyway.

Besides that, you can add more vegetables, such as onions, carrots, or even potatoes if you are looking to make a dish that will fill for a long time.

If you reduce the amount of liquid and add more beans, accompanied with chorizo ​​or pork, you will have something similar to a bean stew that will also be extremely tasty.

Finally, if you like soup in general or are looking for ways to keep warm during the winter, I recommend you try other Spanish soup recipes like the Spanish chicken soup recipe or the Spanish vegetable soup.

Tips on Serving

If you are looking for what to eat in Cordoba, you will find that this soup, like others, is offered in restaurants at all hours of the day during the Andalusian winter. You can serve it during lunch or dinner, and in the quantity you prefer.

For example, if you want to serve it as a starter, I recommend using small plates because it is a very filling soup. If it is the main dish then serve the amount you want!

If you want to add more texture to the soup, you simply have to toast your favorite bread with olive oil and cut it into cubes, then when you are about to eat the soup put them on top, but wait for the right moment so they don’t soften!

You can also sprinkle on top a little Parmesan cheese, or pieces of any cheese of your choice since the dairy flavor of the cheese works very well with the soup in general.

If you are looking for another simple yet delicious soup, you must try our Spanish tomato leek soup recipe that is rich and flavourful thanks to the two main ingredients – leek and tomato.

Also, don’t miss the Spanish caldo gallego soup recipe, for a nutritious and healthy soup with beans and meats.

Give a go to our Spanish bacon bean soup, that’s very nutritious and easy to make as well.

If you’re vegan and want to try a Spanish soup with beans, give a go to our Spanish vegan bean soup recipe.

How to store Spanish White Bean Soup

Fortunately, this Spanish white bean soup offers different storage options, which can even help you if you are making meal prep, or taking your first steps in the matter.

The easiest way to store it is to let it cool once it has been cooked, and take it to the refrigerator where it can remain for up to 3 days.

Some people consider that they can be stored for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, but I personally recommend that you do not do it because the beans tend to acquire other odors present in the refrigerator.

Now, if you are looking to save this soup and make it last longer, you can easily freeze it!

Most soups can be frozen when their broths do not contain cornstarch or flour, and since this recipe does not ask for it, you will not have any problem with that!

You can store it for up to 1 month in the freezer, although if you are concerned about the state of the beans, what you can do is use cooked canned beans (they are sold in any store) since these are prepared to last longer.

Related Recipes:

• Spanish Pea Soup
• Spanish Lentil Soup
• Spanish Rice Soup
• Spanish Seafood Soup

Recipe Card: Spanish White Bean Soup Recipe

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