Senate Bean soup is a famous soup that is flavorful, filling, and comforting. But in my mind, it needed to be made a bit more accessible for folks who don’t have all day to cook their beans, so this is my shortcut recipe. Fortunately, it tastes every bit as good as the old fashioned version. 

You’ll need: 4 cans Navy beans, minced garlic, one onion, stick of butter or margarine, four chicken bullion cubes, 3 stalks celery, instant mashed potatoes, and a smoked turkey leg.

As far as instant mashed potatoes go, I didn’t even know such a thing existed until I was sixteen. I was invited to dinner at a friend’s house and her mom sent me into the pantry to get the potatoes. I went in there and looked all over the place trying to find the bag of potatoes and came out empty handed. She walked right in there and came out with a box. A box? I had to have that one explained to me and then went home and explained it to Mama! I love pretty much anything that makes life easier but I reserve instant potatoes for use as soup thickeners. They are really brilliant at that. 

*Smoked Turkey Legs are pretty easy to find when you’re looking. I usually get mine from Walmart, Sam’s, Costco, etc. Usually near the smoked hamhocks and such.

Place bullion cubes in pot with six cups water (you can sub straight chicken broth for this if you prefer). Add turkey leg. Cover and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer thirty minutes. Turkey leg does not have to be covered with water/broth.

Place butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and garlic. Saute until lightly browned.

like this. 

Remove turkey leg from broth and dice up when cool. 

Add onion mixture, beans, and diced turkey. Stir in salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and reduce heat to simmer for thirty minutes before serving.

Oh my goodness, glorious comfort food on a chilly day!

I hope you get to make this soon!

This freezes VERY well. I took my leftovers and put them in a mason jar, leaving plenty of head space, and froze it to eat later.

“Later” ended up being the very next day but still…

Shortcut Senate Bean Soup and Mary Poppins Visits Bountiful

Ingredients

• 4 15 ounce cans Navy Beans undrained
• 3 stalks celery chopped
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 onion chopped
• 4 chicken bullion cubes or 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 smoked turkey leg
• 1 cup instant mashed potato flakes
• Stick margarine or butter 1/2 C
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

• Place bullion cubes in pot with six cups water (you can sub straight chicken broth for this if you prefer). Add turkey leg. Cover and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer thirty minutes. Turkey leg does not have to be covered with water/broth.

• Place butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and garlic. Saute until lightly browned.

• Remove turkey leg from broth and dice up when cool. Add instant potatoes to broth and stir. Add onion mixture, beans, and diced turkey. Stir in salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and reduce heat to simmer for thirty minutes before serving.

Gentle reminder: We don’t talk politics on any of my platforms. This post was originally published in 2010. I updated the photos and post in 2020.

Yum