Hearty Bean and Butternut Squash Soup with Pork
This warming soup combines tender butternut squash with creamy butter beans and savory pork chops in a rich chicken broth base. Fresh thyme and garlic add aromatic depth while kale provides a nutritious finish. Perfect for cold weather meals, this hearty one-pot soup delivers comfort food satisfaction with a balance of protein, vegetables, and beans. The pork chops are first browned for extra flavor before being incorporated into the soup.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 pork chops
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, washed and diced
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
- 3 cups butternut squash, peeled and chopped into medium size chunks
- 4 thyme sprigs, just the leaves
- 1 bay leaf
- freshly ground black pepper(optional)
- 8 cups Progresso chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen organic whole peeled tomatoes, drained
- 2 cans (15 oz) butter beans, drained and rinsedcannellini beans1:1beansdairy-free
similar texture
- 2 cups kale, washed, stems removed and chopped
Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in pot over medium-high heat
- 2
Sauté pork chops on both sides until browned, then remove and cut into small pieces
- 3
Add onion, celery and garlic to same pot and sauté until onion is translucent and fragrant
- 4
Add cut pork chops, butternut squash, thyme and bay leaf and sauté for another minute
- 5
Season with pepper
- 6
Add chicken broth, tomatoes and beans and mix until well combined
- 7
Reduce heat, cover and cook until butternut squash is soft
- 8
Add kale, cover and cook for 5 more minutes
- 9
Serve hot
Tips
Brown the pork chops well to develop deeper flavor in the soup base.
Cut butternut squash into uniform chunks so they cook evenly.
Add kale at the end to maintain its color and prevent overcooking.
Good to Know
Refrigerate covered up to 3 days. Reheat gently on stovetop.
Can be made 1 day ahead. Add kale when reheating to maintain texture.
Serve hot with crusty bread or cornbread.
Common Mistakes
Don't skip browning the pork chops or you'll lose flavor depth.
Add kale at the very end to prevent it from becoming mushy.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, omit the pork chops and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Add extra beans for protein.
How long will this soup keep in the freezer?
Freeze for up to 3 months. Note that kale texture may change slightly after freezing and thawing.
What if I can't find butter beans?
Substitute with cannellini beans, navy beans, or great northern beans for similar texture and mild flavor.