Heart Healthy Minestrone Soup

(0.0)
By Judy Capodanno
Updated 10/16/2025
Dietitian Reviewed: Jane Schwartz, RDN, CLT
Approved for These Diets:
Heart Healthy | Gluten Free | Diabetic | Vegan | Vegetarian
Heart Healthy Minestrone Soup
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

If you're looking for a genuinely heart-healthy minestrone soup, you've found it. Unlike many store-bought soups that can be high in salt, this easy, low-sodium recipe is specifically designed to support your wellness goals, from managing blood pressure to lowering cholesterol. It’s a vibrant, satisfying meal packed with fresh vegetables, high-fiber beans, and savory herbs. Better yet, it’s naturally vegan, gluten-free, and diabetic-friendly.

For more wholesome and hearty options, visit our Flavorful Heart Healthy Soups.

Total Time
60 minutes
Servings
8
Calories
134

What Makes This Heart Healthy Minestrone Soup Healthy

  • Packed with Vegetables: This soup is loaded with five different fresh vegetables, providing a wide array of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
  • Low-Sodium Broth: We use a low-sodium vegetable broth and minimal added salt to ensure the soup is flavorful while supporting blood pressure goals.
  • High in Fiber: Cannellini beans deliver a healthy dose of plant-based fiber, which is crucial for good digestion and helps in managing cholesterol levels.

 

Key Health Highlights

  • Supports Cholesterol Management: The soluble fiber from beans and vegetables can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels as part of a balanced diet.
  • Blood Pressure Friendly: This recipe is intentionally low in sodium, a key factor in managing hypertension and supporting overall cardiovascular health.
  • Rich in Antioxidants: Ingredients like tomatoes, garlic, onion, and Swiss chard provide powerful anti-inflammatory compounds that protect your body.
  • Balanced for Blood Sugar: With high fiber content and no added sugars or refined carbohydrates, this soup is an excellent choice for a diabetic-friendly meal plan.

FAQs About Minestrone Soup

Yes, this version is excellent for a cholesterol-conscious diet. The high soluble fiber from the beans and vegetables actively helps to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Absolutely! Simply sauté the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic first, then add all remaining ingredients to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Yes. We use low-sodium broth and only a tiny amount of added salt, making this soup ideal for anyone monitoring their sodium intake to manage high blood pressure.

Our homemade soup gives you complete control over the ingredients, containing significantly less sodium and no preservatives compared to most canned versions. Plus, it's packed with more fresh, whole vegetables.

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Ingredients

Recipe yields 8 servings

Helpful How-To Video

Directions

  1. Step 1

    Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery and garlic. Sauté until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and bay leaf and stir. Add the Swiss chard and potato and sauté for 2 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes. Simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes.

  2. Step 2

    Add the vegetable broth. Simmer until the potato pieces are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Stir in the beans, salt, parsley, oregano, thyme and red wine vinegar. Simmer until the beans are heated through and the soup is thick. Remove the bay leaf. Season with black pepper to taste.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size:
1 cup

134
Calories
2
g
Fat
0
mg
Cholesterol
290
mg
Sodium
25
g
Carbs
0
g
Sat. Fat
4
g
Fiber
5
g
Protein

Alternative Cooking Methods

Slow Cooker Instructions: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until softened (about 5 minutes). Transfer this mixture to your slow cooker. Add all remaining ingredients, stir to combine, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Serving & Storage Tips

  • To Store: Let the soup cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • To Freeze: This soup freezes beautifully. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • To Reheat: Gently warm the soup in a saucepan over medium-low heat until heated through. You may want to add a splash of vegetable broth if it has thickened.
  • Serving Suggestions: Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley. It pairs wonderfully with a slice of whole-grain bread or a simple side salad.

Ingredient Substitutions

To make this soup a heartier meal, consider adding a can of drained chickpeas or cooked shredded chicken or ground turkey during the last 10 minutes of simmering.

Feel free to swap in other vegetables you have on hand. Kale, zucchini, or green beans would all be delicious additions.

If you don't have cannellini beans, kidney beans or Great Northern beans are excellent substitutes.

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