Three-Bean Salad Soup (Printable)

Colorful beans and crisp vegetables in a zesty vinaigrette-infused broth for a fresh twist on classic comfort.

# What You Need:

→ Beans

01 - 1 cup canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 cup canned cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
03 - 1 cup canned green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces, drained

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
06 - 1 stalk celery, diced
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Broth & Seasonings

09 - 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
12 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1 teaspoon sugar
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
16 - Salt and black pepper to taste
17 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add red onion, celery, and garlic. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in red bell pepper and cook for another 2 minutes.
03 - Add kidney beans, cannellini beans, green beans, and cherry tomatoes. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes.
04 - Pour in vegetable broth. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Add to the pot.
06 - Simmer soup uncovered for 15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and develop.
07 - Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir in chopped parsley.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with extra parsley if desired. Serve hot or warm.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The broth carries that unmistakable zippy tang from the vinaigrette that makes you wonder why all veggie soups dont have this secret weapon.
  • Its endlessly adaptable to whatever beans you have in the pantry, making it perfect for those I need to go grocery shopping but really dont want to evenings.
02 -
  • Dont skip the brief sauté of the beans before adding broth, as I once did when rushing, because those few minutes of direct heat help them absorb the aromatic flavors rather than just floating in the broth.
  • The soup actually improves overnight as the vinaigrette elements fully incorporate, so making it a day ahead isnt just convenient but preferable.
03 -
  • The soup hits its peak flavor balance when served just slightly warmer than room temperature rather than piping hot, allowing the vinegar notes to shine without overwhelming the palate.
  • Reserve about a quarter cup of the broth and use it to deglaze the pan after sautéing the vegetables, scraping up any browned bits before adding the remaining broth for a deeper flavor foundation.
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