Description
Cozy up with a bowl of Homemade German Bean Soup — a hearty, soul-warming dish packed with green beans, potatoes, white beans, and crispy bacon all simmered in a flavorful, creamy broth. Perfect for an easy dinner, quick lunch, or nourishing leftover, this rustic German classic is simple yet deeply satisfying. Whether you’re searching for comforting food ideas or easy soup recipes, this traditional blend of savory and fresh is your new favorite go-to. Great for meal prep, weeknight dinners, or when you’re craving wholesome comfort, this is one of those must-try dinner ideas that never disappoints.
Ingredients
1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and halved
4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
1 can (15 oz) white beans, drained and rinsed
5 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup water
1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
1 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/2 tsp dried marjoram
1/2 tsp black pepper
Salt to taste
Instructions
1. In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pot.
2. Add butter to the pot. Sauté diced onions until translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Add diced potatoes, then pour in the broth and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add green beans, marjoram, black pepper, and salt. Simmer another 12–15 minutes until vegetables are tender.
5. Stir in the white beans and optional heavy cream. Let the soup simmer for 5 more minutes.
6. Turn off heat, stir in parsley, and adjust seasoning. Serve hot, topped with crispy bacon.
Notes
Use Yukon Gold potatoes for the best texture — they won’t fall apart during cooking.
Crisp the bacon fully and reserve some fat for sautéing to maximize flavor.
For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and use smoked paprika for depth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: german soup, easy dinner, green bean soup, hearty soup, comforting soup, traditional recipes, food ideas, quick dinner