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    Home » Soups

    Light Sausage, Caramelized Onion & Bean Soup Recipe

    Published: Sep 8, 2014 · Modified: Mar 30, 2021 by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 16 Comments

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    You'll never guess that this soup is light and healthy when you taste the rich broth, flavored with caramelized onions, turkey sausage and beans.
    Light Sausage, Caramelized Onion & Bean Soup...A rich, hearty soup that's good for you. | cookincanuck.com #recipe

    I clearly need an intervention. Ever since I posted a tutorial on How to: Caramelize Onions last week, I've been caramelizing and sautéing onions left, right and center. They snuck their way into my Zucchini, Caramelized Onion & Feta Cheese Omelet and now they are one of the stars in this richly flavored soup.

    Something magical happens to chicken broth when you add caramelized onions, particularly ones that have been finished off with a dose of balsamic vinegar. The sumptuous flavor and deep golden color of the sweet vegetable transform the broth from basic to hearty.

    Light Sausage, Caramelized Onion & Bean Soup...A rich, hearty soup that's good for you. | cookincanuck.com #recipe

    Any flavored turkey or chicken sausages will work in this soup (though I would avoid a sweet sausage, such as chicken and apple). I used our favorite 5th Street Grill turkey sausages, which we buy at Costco and weigh in at 100 calories per sausage. You've seen them in a couple of my recipes, such as Quick Farro with Sausage, Tomatoes & Arugula.

    Light Sausage, Caramelized Onion & Bean Soup...A rich, hearty soup that's good for you. | cookincanuck.com #recipe

    The beauty of making soups, particularly when you don't have a lot of time or patience for doing dishes, is that all of the cooking can be done in one pot. One pot to wash and dry makes for a happy mum....which means a happy family.

    Light Sausage, Caramelized Onion & Bean Soup...A rich, hearty soup that's good for you. | cookincanuck.com #recipe

    If you're not a fan of black beans, great northern or cannellini beans would also work well in this recipe.

    Other light, comforting soup recipes:

    Light Turkey (or Chicken) & Corn Chowder
    Fisherman's Soup with Tilapia, Shrimp, Tomatoes & Capers
    Moroccan Carrot Soup

    Light Sausage, Caramelized Onion & Bean Soup Recipe

    This easy soup recipe is rich in flavor, thanks to chicken sausage, caramelized onions, beans and plenty of seasoning.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Soups
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Gluten Free
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
    Servings: 6 Servings
    Calories: 185.7kcal
    Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

    Ingredients

    • 3 flavored turkey or chicken sausages cut into ½-circles
    • 2 teaspoons olive oil
    • 2 onions sliced thinly into ½-circles
    • Water as needed
    • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 2 ½ cups low-sodium black beans rinsed & drained
    • ½ teaspoons ground pepper
    • ¼ cup minced flat-leaf parsley
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    Instructions

    • Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Lightly coat with cooking spray and add the sausages. Cook until the sausages are starting to brown, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and keep warm.
    • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat.
    • Add the onions, cover the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deep golden brown.
    • During the cooking, add water as necessary to stop the onions from burning and drying out. You may need as much as ½ cup.
    • Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
    • Add the chicken broth and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the bay leaves.
    • Stir in the black beans and cooked sausages. Cook until heated through, about 5 minutes.
    • Stir in the parsley. Serve.

    Notes

    From the kitchen of Cookin' Canuck | cookincanuck.com

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1.33Cups | Calories: 185.7kcal | Carbohydrates: 25.3g | Protein: 15.8g | Fat: 3.7g | Saturated Fat: 0.7g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 843.5mg | Fiber: 6.3g | Sugar: 3.9g
    Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

    Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Jamie | Jamie's Recipes

        September 15, 2014 at 8:29 pm

        Caramelized onions are pretty much my favorite thing ever. This soup has me so excited for Fall!

        Reply
      2. Ciao+Florentina

        September 09, 2014 at 11:26 pm

        Caramelize onions make everything better! I sneak them in everything I can ha!

        Reply
      3. Christine at Cook the Story

        September 09, 2014 at 8:18 am

        Those caramelized onions look amazing!

        Reply
      4. Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet

        September 09, 2014 at 6:03 am

        I love caramelized onions! They are so good on everything! This bean soup looks fantastic, Dara!

        Reply
      5. Lori+@+RecipeGirl

        September 08, 2014 at 10:43 am

        Making this for my family this fall! So delicious!

        Reply
        • Dara

          September 08, 2014 at 2:11 pm

          Thanks, Lori. I hope you have a chance to try it.

          Reply
      6. Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic

        September 08, 2014 at 9:37 am

        I wish I am having a bowl of this for lunch today! Looks so good!

        Reply
        • Dara

          September 08, 2014 at 2:11 pm

          Thanks, Bianca. I need to make another batch for lunches this week.

          Reply
      7. Megan

        September 08, 2014 at 9:31 am

        I make a version of this, not as flavorful though, It's time t change.

        Reply
        • Dara

          September 08, 2014 at 2:11 pm

          I hope you have a chance to try it, Megan!

          Reply
      8. Deborah

        September 08, 2014 at 9:00 am

        Caramelized onions are one of my favorite things ever. LOVE this, Dara!

        Reply
        • Dara

          September 08, 2014 at 2:11 pm

          Thanks, Deb! Their flavor really does add something special.

          Reply
      9. Rachel @ Baked by Rachel

        September 08, 2014 at 8:03 am

        I'm so excited it's finally chilly enough for soup! This will definitely be added to the rotation 🙂

        Reply
        • Dara

          September 08, 2014 at 2:10 pm

          I'm excited too, Rachel. This is, without a doubt, my favorite time of year. I hope you have a chance to try the soup.

          Reply
      10. Erin+|+The+Law+Student's+Wife

        September 08, 2014 at 7:52 am

        Caramelized onions make EVERYTHING better. I made them in mega batches, then freeze. I know just what to do with a bit of my next stash now 🙂

        Reply
        • Dara

          September 08, 2014 at 2:10 pm

          They really do! I love the idea of freezing the extra caramelized onions to keep on hand.

          Reply

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      I'm Dara, a Canadian living in the U.S. and sharing my favorite healthy recipes. My cooking motto is that healthy eating never needs to be boring!

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