Cajun 15-Bean Soup
A hearty, smoky soup with sausage, colorful vegetables, tender beans, and greens.
INGREDIENTS
• 1 bag (20 ounces) dried 15-bean soup mix
• 12–14 ounces andouille or smoked sausage, sliced
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 2–3 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 4–5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (14–15 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 2 cups chopped kale or collard greens
• 6–8 cups chicken broth, plus water as needed
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½–1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 1–2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, optional
• 1–2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• Hot sauce and salt, to taste
• A splash of vinegar or squeeze of lemon juice, to finish
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Prepare the beans. Sort and rinse the beans, soak overnight, then drain and rinse again. Follow the package’s preparation and boiling instructions.
2. Brown the sausage. In a large pot, brown the sliced sausage. Remove and set aside.
3. Cook the vegetables. Add the onion, celery, bell peppers, and carrots to the pot. Sauté for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the seasonings. Stir in the garlic, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, cayenne, black pepper, and optional Cajun seasoning. Cook for about 1 minute.
5. Simmer. Add the prepared beans, tomatoes, bay leaves, Worcestershire sauce, and 6 cups of broth. Bring to a boil, then partially cover and simmer gently for approximately 1½–2 hours, until the beans are completely tender. Add more broth or water as needed.
6. Finish cooking. Return the sausage during the last 30 minutes. Add the kale or collard greens during the last 10–15 minutes.
7. Adjust the texture. For a thicker soup, mash some of the cooked beans with a little broth and stir them back into the pot.
8. Season and serve. Remove the bay leaves. Add salt, hot sauce, and a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to taste.
