15 Bean Soup Recipe

15 bean soup recipe is an easy, cozy comforting soup to make for a crowd. Everyone loves this tomato-based bean soup with sausage, and the best part is--it's so simple to make! 

15 bean soup recipe

If we can just say one thing here at Bean Recipes, it's that we really love a good bean soup. And while there are complex methods for making a bean soup that has 15 different types of beans in it, please, let's keep things simple!

We're going to use the 20-ounce bag of 15 bean soup by the brand HamBeens. This bag of mixed beans can be found in almost every grocery store on the planet. We've lived in many states, and always seen HamBeens bags in the dried beans and rice aisle.

The bag of beans comes with simple instructions on the back, and it yields great results, but we're going to deviate ever so slightly, as truly bean lovers are allowed to do. We're also changing up the order of the cooking steps slightly from the bag--we believe the tomatoes can be added to the pot in the beginning. We're also adding in sliced kielbasa, because it is the lovely type of sausage for soup. It holds its shape, and is available in beef, pork, or turkey varieties to suit anyone's diet.

Which beans are in 15 bean soup mix?

We're using the bag of 15 bean soup for this recipe, because the mix of beans in it are delightful: Great Northern beans, pinto beans, baby lima beans and regular limas, yelloweye beans, garbanzo beans, green and yellow split peas, red and white kidney beans, cranberry beans, small white beans, pink beans, small red beans, lentil, navy beans, and last but not least--black beans!

Ingredients in 15 bean soup recipe:

• 15 Bean Soup mix: You need the 20-ounce bag of HamBeens brand 15 Bean Soup. It comes with a seasoning packet, and you definitely need it for this recipe! There is also a bag of 16 bean soup made by another company, but don't buy that one because it doesn't come with a seasoning packet. You need a seasoning packet for this recipe!
• chicken broth
• smoked sausage: This soup is so delicious with 13 ounces of sliced smoked sausage. We love to buy kielbasa for this recipe. Kielbasa comes in pork, beef, or turkey varieties. We use whatever is on sale! Smoked sausage typically holds its shape in a ring, and is sliced and used in a recipe. Fresh sausage is typically ground, and yes, you can use that in place of kielbasa, but you must cook it in the pot before adding all other ingredients.
• onion
• celery
• garlic
• chili powder: Chili powder is not chilE powder. Chili powder is a mix of spices for making a bowl of chili, and it usually contains paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and oregano. Chile powder is a particular type of chile, like an ancho chile or chile de arbor, dried and ground up. It is very spicy and made of one thing. Chili powder is a seasoning blend. Don't mix this up, or your soup will be flavorless and super spicy.
• crushed tomatoes: Just one small can of crushed tomatoes. It can be hard to find a 14-ounce can of crushed tomatoes, but look on the lower shelves. If you can only find a 28-ounce can (the most common size), freeze half for another recipe.
• lemon juice: Just a small amount of lemon juice brightens this recipe after cooking. You can also use an equal amount of apple cider vinegar in place of lemon juice.
• salt and pepper

How to make 15 bean soup:

1. The first step in using any bagged dried beans is to rinse the beans through a strainer. Rinse them very well, until the water runs clear. Then, pick over the beans and look for any stray debris or small rocks that may have been accidentally included during harvest.
   
2. Next, place the beans in a bowl and cover them with several inches of clean water and let them soak for at least 8 hours, or up to 12 hours. If they soak in a warm place, some beans might sprout (see the video for reference)--it's completely okay to cook with sprouted beans. It can be even be more nutritious 🙂
   
3. Drain the beans after their soak, and place them in a large soup pot. Add the chicken broth, sliced sausage, onion, celery garlic, chili powder, and the seasoning packet from the bag.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then lower the heat. Place a lid partially on the pot. Let it cook slowly for 90  minutes, but stir semi-frequently to ensure nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pot.
5. When 90 minutes has elapsed, taste 5 different beans from the pot to ensure every bean is tender. Especially test the larger beans for doneness. If they beans are soft, proceed; if not, add another 10 minutes, stir and taste again.
   
6. When the beans are tender, stir in the can of crushed tomatoes, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, ½ teaspoon salt, and about 10 grinds of black pepper. Let the mixture simmer another 10-15 minutes.
7. Taste and adjust for more lemon juice, salt or pepper, and then serve. Leftover soup keeps covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Other soup recipes for you:

15 Bean Soup Recipe

Yield: 6-8

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

15 bean soup with sliced sausage. Such a delicious, easy family dinner.

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Ingredients

• 1 package HamBeens 15 BEAN SOUP with seasoning packet
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 13 ounces smoked sausage (such as kielbasa), halved and sliced
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp. chili powder
• 1 14-oz can of crushed tomatoes
• 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
• salt, to taste
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. First, sort the bag of beans. Remove any debris or cracked beans. Rinse the beans very well. Place the beans in a large bowl, and cover with water, ensuring at least 3 inches of water above the beans. Let the beans soak 8-12 hours. If the beans soak up all of the water, add more.
2. When you’re ready to make the soup, drain the beans and rinse them one more time.
3. Place the beans, chicken broth, sliced sausage, onion, celery, garlic, and chili powder in a large stock pot.
   Turn the heat to medium high, and bring the mixture to a gentle boil (just a few bubbles rolling up every now and then). Once the mixture is bubbling, lower the heat to medium low, place a lid slightly ajar on the pot, and cook. Stir occasionally for 90 minutes.
4. After 90 minutes, start testing the beans for doneness. Chose 5 different types of beans (at least one big one!) to taste and see if they’re fully soft and cooked through. If not, continue to cook and try again after 10 minutes.
5. Once you’re confident that the beans are fully cooked and soft, stir in the can of crushed tomatoes, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, ½ a teaspoon of salt, and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes.
6. Finally, before serving, give the mixture a taste, and add more salt, pepper or lemon juice until it tastes perfect to you.

Notes

15 Bean Soup mix: You need the 20-ounce bag of HamBeens brand 15 Bean Soup. It comes with a seasoning packet, and you definitely need it for this recipe! There is also a bag of 16 bean soup made by another company, but don't buy that one because it doesn't come with a seasoning packet. You need a seasoning packet for this recipe!
smoked sausage: This soup is so delicious with 13 ounces of sliced smoked sausage. We love to buy kielbasa for this recipe. Kielbasa comes in pork, beef, or turkey varieties. We use whatever is on sale! Smoked sausage typically holds its shape in a ring, and is sliced and used in a recipe. Fresh sausage is typically ground, and yes, you can use that in place of kielbasa, but you must cook it in the pot before adding all other ingredients.
chili powder: Chili powder is not chilE powder. Chili powder is a mix of spices for making a bowl of chili, and it usually contains paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and oregano. Chile powder is a particular type of chile, like an ancho chile or chile de arbor, dried and ground up. It is very spicy and made of one thing. Chili powder is a seasoning blend. Don't mix this up, or your soup will be flavorless and super spicy.
crushed tomatoes: Just one small can of crushed tomatoes. It can be hard to find a 14-ounce can of crushed tomatoes, but look on the lower shelves. If you can only find a 28-ounce can (the most common size), freeze half for another recipe.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 533Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 5069mgCarbohydrates: 58gFiber: 23gSugar: 14gProtein: 26g