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Rustic White Bean & Smoked Beef Soup – A Hearty Bowl of Comfort Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 415 reviews

This Rustic White Bean & Smoked Beef Soup is a hearty, comforting dish featuring tender smoked beef shank, creamy white beans, and a medley of root vegetables simmered slowly in a flavorful broth. Enhanced with aromatic herbs and spices and finished with fresh cabbage and potatoes, it’s a perfect meal to warm you up on chilly days, offering deep, rustic flavors and satisfying textures.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1 large onion, peeled
  • 1 celery stalk
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and cubed
  • 1 large turnip, peeled and cubed
  • 1 leek, sliced into ½-inch half rounds
  • ½ medium savoy cabbage, shredded
  • 3–4 Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed

Legumes & Meat

  • 8 ounces dried white beans (soaked overnight)
  • 2½ pounds smoked beef shank or any smoked beef cut with bone

Herbs & Spices

  • 4–5 thyme sprigs
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 8–10 whole cloves (the spice, not garlic)
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Cooking Fat & Liquids

  • 3½ tablespoons butter (or duck fat, if available)
  • 18 cups water (about 4½ quarts, or enough to cover the meat)

Instructions

  1. Soak the Beans: Start the day before by placing the white beans in a large bowl and covering them with cold water. Let the beans soak for 12 hours or overnight, then drain and set aside.
  2. Build the Broth Base: Press the cloves into the peeled onion. In a large soup pot, combine the clove-studded onion, celery stalk, bay leaves, thyme sprigs, and smoked beef shank. Pour in about 18 cups of water, enough to fully submerge the meat. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low and simmer gently for 1 hour, covered.
  3. Sauté the Vegetables: While the broth simmers, melt butter (or duck fat) in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the crushed garlic, carrots, turnip, and leek. Cook for 6–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and the leek turns translucent. Avoid browning to retain a sweet, gentle base flavor.
  4. Add Beans and Vegetables to the Broth: After the broth has cooked for an hour, add the drained beans and sautéed vegetables to the pot. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer on low for another 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
  5. Blanch the Cabbage: Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the shredded cabbage and blanch for 3 minutes, just until slightly softened and bright green. Drain and rinse immediately under cold water to stop the cooking. Set aside.
  6. Incorporate Cabbage and Potatoes: Once the beans and vegetables have simmered for another hour, stir in the blanched cabbage. Simmer for 30 minutes, covered. Add the cubed potatoes next, then continue simmering for another 30 minutes until everything is tender.
  7. Shred the Meat and Refine the Soup: Remove the smoked beef from the pot and transfer it to a cutting board. Discard any skin or excess fat, then shred the meat with a fork — it should come apart easily. Return the shredded meat to the pot. Remove the clove-studded onion, celery, and herb sprigs. Chop the onion and celery finely, then return them to the soup for added depth of flavor. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to slightly reduce and thicken the broth. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and spice.
  8. Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the soup into warm bowls and sprinkle with red pepper flakes. Serve with crusty bread or a drizzle of olive oil for an authentic rustic touch.

Notes

  • Soaking the white beans overnight is crucial to ensure they cook evenly and soften properly.
  • Melt the butter gently and avoid browning the vegetables to maintain a mild, sweet flavor base.
  • Blanching the cabbage helps it retain its bright color and prevents overcooking in the soup.
  • Use smoked beef shank with bone for rich, deep flavor, but other smoked beef cuts with bone can substitute.
  • Adjust seasoning and red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
  • Serve with crusty bread or a drizzle of olive oil for added texture and flavor.

Keywords: Rustic white bean soup, smoked beef soup, hearty soup recipe, comfort food, bean and vegetable soup, rustic winter soup

Find it online: https://yumwithmia.com/rustic-white-bean-and-smoked-beef-soup-a-hearty-bowl-of-comfort-recipe/