15 Bean Smoked Sausage Soup

This 15-Bean Smoked Sausage Soup is hearty, delicious, well seasoned comfort food. Pairs well with Homemade Self-Rising Cornbread.

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DISCLOSURE (SPONSORED):   I added my twist to a classic recipe printed on the back 15 Bean Soup (dry beans) provided by Hurst’s Beans.  All comments are my own.

I cooked the soup in a fabulous dutch oven provided by Lodge Manufacturing.    I like that this cookware is heavy duty and versatile.  Can also use it for baking in the oven.  It is durable and will last for years with proper care.  All comments are my own.

Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven

In my twist on a classic recipe by Hurst Beans, half of the chopped smoked sausage is fried and added to the soup before serving.   The crispy edges around the sausage add tasty texture.

Liquid Smoke and cumin (seeds or powder) are excellent alternatives for garlic.   I like the Badia Spices  brand of cumin.  The company has not paid me to mention their products.  I usually purchase several their spices from my local grocery store (spice aisle).  They are delicious and affordable.

Cumin is a Mediterranean seasoning used to enhance the flavor of chili with meat,  pickled vegetables, meat, poultry stews, and several tomato-based sauces.

Liquid Smoke is literally the smoke of burning hickory condensed and combined with spring water. It is 100% natural seasoning. Provides real smokehouse flavor to this soup.

How To Read & Follow A Recipe

Reading a recipe is an important life skill.  It starts with knowing how to read a recipe’s ingredients, follow the instructions, prep ingredients, and knowing what equipment to use. 

The following tips and strategies will help beginners or experienced cooks  create a delicious dish as intended in the recipe. 

Start with clean hands and organized kitchen.  Wash hands thoroughly.  Make sure kitchen and countertops are clean before making a recipe.

Create a relaxing environment.  Play favorite music while in the kitchen.  I love listening to classical or gospel music. 

Read the recipe.   Don’t just quickly skim it.  Thoroughly read from start to finish.  Visualize doing each step which will help you avoid missing a step.

If you see ingredient that you and your family don’t use for whatever reason, use a substitutions or omit the ingredient.

My recipes are packed with helpful tips like shortcuts and serving sizes which save time and help with meal planning. 

Pay attention to the order in which ingredients are prepped.  For example, 1 cup of  chopped pecans is not the same as pecans, chopped (measure whole pecans and then chop).  

Know the assumptions.  For example, when my recipe calls for “sugar,” use granulated sugar.  If brown sugar is an ingredient, it will be written as such in the recipe.  

Figure out the timing. Check the listed “prep time” and “total time” to be sure you have enough time to complete the recipe.

Look for hints, such as the words “meanwhile” or “at the same time,” which indicate two or more steps can happen simultaneously.  

For example, my prep time doesn’t include bringing cold butter up to room temperature.  Be sure to include in your timetable.

Watch Recipe Videos.    If you’re a visual learner (like me), watch recipe videos.  Perfect for when you’re learning a new skill or just want to see how a recipe is made.    

Mise en place is a super time saver. This French cooking term translates as “putting in place.”   It means prepping/measuring ingredients and chopping food before you start cooking. It’s the perfect way to get organized and avoid missing an ingredient or missing a step in the instructions.

Organize your tools and kitchen equipment.  Mise en place isn’t just for ingredients.   Before starting, make sure you have parchment paper, aluminum foil, measuring cups, measuring spoons, the right pans, mixing bowls, and other equipment.

Make notes in your recipe. Note any special prep instructions and highlight cooking times.  Make note of ingredients omitted,  favorite substitutions and creative twists.   The notes will be very helpful the next time you make this recipe. 

Enjoy!