VEGETARIAN BEAN SOUP WITH ALL PURPOSE SEASONING

This vegetarian bean soup with all purpose seasoning has been a household staple recently. It's super easy to make, it makes a nutritious and delicious meal and it is great for meal prep.  I've been giving it to friends and neighbors who need a meal! My husband loves this soup and calls it "draino", because it basically cleans out the system! I purchase this bean mix in the bulk section of my grocery store, but they also sell various bean mixes.  Get a bean mix with a combination of beans to provide different textures and nutrients. This soup can either be made on the stovetop or in an instant pot.

Tips for making vegetarian bean soup with all purpose seasoning

Instant pot vs. stovetop cooking

Using the instant pot is much quicker than using the stovetop.  However, this soup can definitely be made on the stovetop, but it will take a little longer to ensure that the beans are tender. When making this with the instant pot, saute the onions and carrots and pressure cook the beans according to the "beans" setting.  Saute the kale after the beans are cooked to ensure that the kale retains some of its green color.

Mixed beans

A dried mixed bean medley can be purchased in grocery stores that have a bulk section.  However, a bean mix can also be purchased online.  The key to reduce the timing needed to cook these beans is to soak them for at least 24 hours,  48 hours is preferable.  Sometimes I just soak them in the fridge for days, changing the water frequently and by the time I need to make the soup, the beans are super hydrated! While the beans are soaking, they will emit gas, causing the water to have bubbles.  Change the water frequently to discard the gaseous water; otherwise it will be passing through you, giving you a lot of gas!  A 16 bean soup mix can be purchased through Amazon below.

Kale

Besides diced onion, carrots and canned tomatoes, this recipe calls for fresh kale.  Fresh kale gives the soup some color.  This vegetarian bean soup with all purpose seasoning needs a hardy, leafy green vegetable that will hold up to the beans.  If you don't have kale, you can substitute it for swiss chard.  Swiss chard does tend to have a softer texture, but both vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals.

All-purpose seasoning

The recipe for Sammy Wong's all purpose seasoning can be found here. This seasoning has so many uses so I highly recommend that you make it in bulk and then use it for all the different recipes.

Storing the soup

This vegetarian bean soup with all purpose seasoning freezes really well.  It's great to make a large pot of this hearty, nutritious soup and freeze it in meal size portions.  This makes it easy to have a quick, delicious meal when you don't feel like cooking, rather than buying fast food!  To take up less space, freeze the soup in freezer bags!