Bacon + Butter Bean Soup

Bacon + Butter Bean Soup

Age suitable:
8 months+
Servings:
4 adult serves

Egg free, Gluten Free, Nut free, Soy free

5 stars

About the recipe

A hearty and nourishing butter bean and vegetable soup packed with flavour, protein, and veggies - perfect for babies, toddlers, and the whole family.

There’s something so comforting about a big bowl of soup - especially one that’s rich in flavour, packed with veggies, and nourishing for the whole family. This hearty butter bean and vegetable soup is a wholesome, budget-friendly meal that can be made in one pot and frozen for easy weeknight dinners. Butter beans are a fantastic plant-based source of protein and have a soft, mild texture that makes them perfect for babies and toddlers.

The addition of bone broth adds both depth of flavour and extra nutrients to support growing bodies, making this soup as nourishing as it is delicious. I love serving it with a slice of warm sourdough and a generous spread of butter. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a hug in a bowl - perfect for chilly evenings or days when everyone needs something comforting and easy.

Baby-Led Weaning:

Cut the vegetables into finger-shaped pieces before cooking so they soften nicely in the soup. Serve the butter beans squished and the sourdough sliced into finger-sized strips for dipping.

Puree:

Blend the soup until smooth.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve warm with buttered sourdough or a slice of toast. You can also stir through some cooked pasta, rice, or quinoa to make it more filling.

Storage for freezer and fridge:

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove before serving.

Read More

Ingredients

1 large brown onion

4 cloves garlic

1 medium carrot

1 medium zucchini

1 medium white potato

100 grams white mushrooms

1 cup baby spinach

70 grams nitrate-free bacon

400 grams tinned butter beans (drained and rinsed)

2.5 cups chicken broth or bone broth

3 tablespoons tomato paste

¼ cup parmesan cheese

1 sprig fresh rosemary

1 sprig fresh thyme

2 bay leaves

Salt and pepper to taste

Method

  1. Peel and dice the onion and garlic. Peel the potato and cut it into small cubes, then cube the carrot and zucchini into equal-sized pieces. Slice the mushrooms and bacon.
  2. Heat a large pot with olive oil over medium–high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened.
  3. Add the potatoes, carrots, bacon, bay leaves, rosemary, and thyme, and stir until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the chicken or bone broth and stir through the tomato paste. Bring to a gentle simmer, then add the zucchini and mushrooms.
  5. Cook until the potatoes are soft, then stir in the butter beans, spinach, and parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Serve with buttered sourdough or toast if desired.

Ingredient Swaps:

Vegetarian: Leave bacon out for a vegetarian version and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Replace butter beans with cannellini, borlotti, or mixed beans.
Dairy-free? Omit the parmesan or use nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavour.

You might also like

Osso Bucco

Osso Bucco

(As featured in our book Toddler to Table) Osso buco is one of our favourite meals for a few reasons:...

Learn more
chicken dinner puree

chicken dinner puree

If you’re looking for a delicious, protein-packed purée to batch-prep for your baby—this one’s a winner! Our Roast & Blend...

Learn more
Marrow Mash

Marrow Mash

Looking for a nutrient-dense, flavour-packed mash that the whole family will love? This nutrient dense marrow mash is rich in...

Learn more
Roasted Bone Marrow

Roasted Bone Marrow

Have you introduced bone marrow to your baby yet? Bone marrow might seem like an odd first food to feed baby, however it is a forgotten nutrition powerhouse (also amazing for pregnancy and postpartum mamas too!)

Learn more
Beef Bone Broth

Beef Bone Broth

You will start to notice a trend in a lot of the recipes I will be posting - a lot will involve bone broth! That’s because it is the most nourishing food you can feed yourself and your child! It’s easily digestible, nutrient dense and an incredible rich source of minerals - boosting immunity and lining our digestive tract. It is especially valuable as they contain gelatine which enables food to be digested more easily - which is why it is perfect to add to everything! It is especially valuable as they contain gelatine which enables food to be digested more easily - which is why it is perfect to add to everything! Broth is the perfect first ‘food’ postpartum!

Learn more