Hearty Pork Bean Soup

Dinner

It's wonderful to come home to this pork bean soup dinner simmering away in a slow cooker, especially on a busy weeknight. This soup uses dried beans and is simple to throw together in the morning before work. When you get home, just add a few more ingredients, and in half an hour dinner is ready! Do not put the tomatoes in for the first 8 hours of cooking, or the beans will not become soft.

Average Rating: 4.6

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. + soaking Cook: 6 hours 20 min.
YIELD: 12 servings (4 quarts)

Ingredients

1 package (16 ounces) dried great northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 large sweet onion, chopped
3 medium carrots, chopped
3 celery ribs, chopped
1 pork tenderloin (1 pound)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon fresh minced chives or 1 teaspoon dried chives
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon pepper
1 carton (32 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 bottle (12 ounces) extra pale ale
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
5 ounces fresh spinach
1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons salt

Instructions

1. Place beans in a large bowl; add cool water to cover. Soak 5 hours or overnight. Drain beans, discarding water; rinse with cool water.
2. In a 6-qt. slow cooker, layer beans, vegetables and pork. Add seasonings, broth and ale. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until beans and pork are tender.
3. Remove pork; shred with 2 forks. Stir in tomatoes, spinach and salt. Return pork to slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low about 20 minutes or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/3 cups: 207 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 695mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 9g fiber), 18g protein.
Diabetic Exchanges:
2 starch, 2 lean meat.