Slow Cooker Fennel and White Bean Soup

This slow cooker fennel and white bean soup is light, comforting, and just what I want after weeks of heavier eating. It’s simple, satisfying, and flavorful without being rich. If you enjoy lighter bean-based soups like my Slow Cooker Cabbage Bean Soup, this is another easy option to add to your rotation.

If you’ve never cooked with fennel before, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Raw fennel has a subtle anise flavor and a crunch similar to celery. Once cooked, it softens beautifully while keeping that gentle, slightly sweet flavor that works especially well in soups like this one.

Why I Love This Recipe

• It’s light and satisfying without feeling skimpy.
• The slow cooker makes it mostly hands-off.
• Fennel adds great flavor without overpowering the soup.
• White beans make it filling and comforting.
• It’s naturally WW-friendly and low in points.
• It works well as a vegetarian soup but is easy to adapt.
• A nice change from more common bean soups.

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Olive Oil – used to sauté the onion and fennel to build flavor before slow cooking.
• Onion – adds a classic savory base to the soup.
• Fennel – brings a mild, slightly sweet anise flavor that softens as it cooks. Be sure to remove the tough outer layer and core before slicing.
• Fat-Free Chicken Broth – keeps the soup light while adding flavor. Vegetable broth (affiliate link) works well for a vegetarian version.
• Canned Cannellini Beans – add creaminess and protein to this soup. Canned beans work well here, but if you like cooking beans from scratch, my Slow Cooker White Beans are a great option and work beautifully in this recipe. Great northern beans are another good alternative.
• Dried Thyme – adds a subtle herbal note that pairs well with fennel. Other dried herbs like oregano or rosemary can work too.
• Bay Leaf – adds depth while the soup simmers. Remember to remove it before serving.
• Salt and Pepper – Season to taste.
• Fresh Spinach -stirred in at the end, spinach adds color and a boost of greens. Baby spinach works especially well.

Calories and WW Points

According to my calculations, each serving has:

• Calories: 160
• WW Points: 1
  To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
  (You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
• Old WW Points: 4 PointsPlus
  

How to Make Crock Pot White Bean Fennel Soup, Step-by-Step

Step 1: Gather and prepare all ingredients.

Step 2: In a skillet over medium heat, warm the oil and sauce the onions and fennel until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. (I used my Ninja 3-in-1 Cooking System (affiliate link) so I was able to sauté the onion and fennel in the same pot as cooking the soup.)

Step 3: Add the onion and fennel mixture, broth, beans, diced tomatoes, thyme, salt and pepper, and bay leaf to slow cooker.

Cover and cook for 1 to 2 hours on HIGH, or 4 to 5 hours on LOW.

Step 4: Remove bay leaf and stir in spinach about 10 minutes before serving.

Step 5: Store unused portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Fennel 101 Video: How to Buy, Store, Prepare and Work with Fennel

Recipe Notes

For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth (affiliate link) instead of chicken broth.

If you’d like to add more protein, stir in some cooked lean chicken breast or diced ham near the end of cooking.

This soup reheats well and makes a great light lunch the next day.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this fennel and white bean soup with warm, crusty bread and a simple tossed green salad for an easy, satisfying meal.

If you’ve made this Low-Fat Crock Pot Soup, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

Recipe source: Fix-It and Forget-It Lightly: Healthy, Low-Fat Recipes for Your Slow Cooker (affiliate link) by Phyllis Pellman Good

More Easy WeightWatchers Friendly Soup Recipes

If you like this vegetarian Crock Pot Fennel and White Bean Soup, you may also like:

• This Butternut Squash, Kale and White Bean Soup is a slightly sweet, hearty soup with plenty of vegetables and creamy beans.
• This Slow Cooker Cabbage Bean Soup is budget-friendly, filling soup that’s simple and comforting.
• A classic vegetable-packed soup, Slow Cooked Veggie Minestrone works well for meal prep.
• This Easy 5-Ingredient Asparagus Minestrone is a lighter fresher take on classic minestrone made with just a handful of ingredients.