Update: The following post was featured on the FitBuff Total Mind and Body Fitness Carnival 97.
These days I’m on a mission to whip up cheap, healthy meals. I found a bag of 15 bean soup at the grocery store and decided to try it out. Beans are one of the best food purchases because they cost so little but really go a long way. Here’s what I did to make a HUGE batch of soup that’s going to feed me all week long.
I soaked the beans overnight in a pot of water and drained off the liquid the next day (soaking them helps improve digestion). Then I brought them to a boil and simmered for 2 hours. My bag of beans came with a meat flavoring packet, but I threw it out. I looked at the ingredients and couldn’t pronounce any of them…so I followed my instincts and tossed it.
Here’s what I chopped up and added to the beans:
* 1 big tomato
* 3/4 onion
* 3 stalks celery
* 3 cloves garlic
* 2 big carrots
To season it up I added chili powder, basil, a bay leaf, salt, and pepper to taste. I plan on sprinkling some hot sauce in each bowl too.
I continued simmering the soup for another hour or two until the beans were tender.
For this soup, I just added whatever veggies and spices I already had at home. If I want some fresh greens, grains, or meat during the week, I can just add them in when I re-heat. Super quick and easy!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Good call on tossing the flavor packet. I just bought some 15 bean soup and was looking at the ingredients. The first ingredient of the flavor packet is Hydrolyzed Soy Protein which contains MSG.
wonderful nutrient value, as well as extremely economical. Add a pot of brown rice to serve this over, you’ve got a GREAT week’s worth of meals. Bravo!!
Thanks for the information. My husband just bought a pkg of the 15 bean soup. I will also throw out the pkg of spices and use my own. You can never trust what is in them. Thanks for all the hints. I appreciate them! Can’t wait to try it…
I just bought a bag of the 15 bean soup yesterday, cus I just wanted 2 fix my family something different, but cheap. lol. I’ve saw many different things on here about how 2 fix them. I’ve got 2 say that yours stands out 2me. Its simple & to the point. Exactly what I was looking for! I threw out the season pack that came w/beans as well.
Thanx 4 sharing. Im cooking up some cornbread too…cus ya just have 2 have cornbread! lol. I love showing my 2 kids that its great 2 try new foods, so I really hope this turns out good! 
Its smelling great in here.
Hummn…I love making bean soup. Your post concerned me about flavoring packs so I had to check it out further. The bean mix I always buy contains nothing weird. I buy 15 Bean Soup®
(per their website ->”The original seasoned bean soup with N.K. Hurst’s own ham seasoning. No MSG, very low in fat and feeds an army. Freezes well.” Their Seasoning packet ingredients in order: sugar, spices inclding paprika, salt, dextrose, bleached wheat flour, onion, soybean oil, lemon juice pdr, garlic… The only thing I don’t recognize is silicon dioxide – an anti-caking agent).
Love the Hurst 15 Bean Soup. Been eating it for years now. Recently discovered their lentil mixes. Unfortunately, many folks are unable to find them in their local grocery. Walmart is usually good about keeping a variety in stock.
Check out the Hurst channel on YouTube as well. Some good recipe ideas.