Skip to main content

Three Sisters Soup

Warm and comforting easy-to-make soup with squash, beans, and a savory broth.
Bean, corn and summer squash soup in bowls.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Makes: 8 Cups
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

1 ½ Tablespoons vegetable oil
¾ cup diced carrot
1 cup chopped onion
4 cloves garlic, minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder 
2 cups diced squash (summer or winter, fresh or frozen)
1 ½ cups corn (fresh or frozen) or a 15-ounce can (drained and rinsed)
1 ½ cups cooked beans (any type) or a 15-ounce can (drained and rinsed)
1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes or 2 cups diced fresh
3 ½ cups low-sodium broth (any type)
1 teaspoon cumin
¼ teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. Wash hands with soap and water.

2. Heat oil in a large pot on medium heat. Add carrot and onion and cook until onions begin to turn a little brown, about 8 to 10 minutes.

3. Add garlic, squash and corn and continue to stir for another 3 to 4 minutes.

4. Add beans, tomatoes, broth, cumin and pepper.

5. Allow soup to come to a boil, then turn heat down to a simmer until all vegetables are tender to taste. This will take 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the vegetables used.

6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

  • Try This: Change the vegetables and beans based on what you have on hand. Instead of cumin, try 2 to 3 teaspoons of Italian seasoning or 1 Tablespoon of curry powder.

Thanks to the Indigenous Peoples Workgroup of Oregon State University Extension Service for this recipe.

Comments

Big hit with kids and families!  Easy to prepare with both fresh and/or canned ingredients, and equally delicious - it also paired perfectly with our Three Sisters gardening lessons.  To make a thicker version, more stew-like and easier to transport between classes and serve in the classroom, I used the liquid from all the canned ingredients (contain vitamins and minerals), and cut out the broth.  Do not add any extra salt to this dish if the canning liquid is used. 

 

 

Delicious! I used pinto beans, fresh tomato, cumin seed, and used low-sodium chicken bouillon for the broth and it turned out perfect! 😊

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Drinkable Yogurt
Photo of Drinkable Yogurt

Drinkable Yogurt

A simple 2-ingredient snack made with yogurt and your favorite fruit juice.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
1 Cup
Kitchen Scraps Vegetable Broth
Pot full of water with vegetables and herbs.

Kitchen Scraps Vegetable Broth

Use leftover veggie scraps to make a delicious broth to use in soups or cooking beans and grains!
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
40 minutes
Makes:
6 to 12 cups
Banana Oatmeal Bread
A loaf of Banana Oatmeal Bread is sliced to show a golden brown top and moist inside texture.

Banana Oatmeal Bread

Warm and comforting whole-wheat banana bread that is perfect any time of day. Oats add to the moist texture.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
45 to 50 minutes
Makes:
12 slices
Cornbread
Image of Cornbread

Cornbread

Enjoy this tasty bread made with pantry ingredients and ready in half an hour. Cornbread is the perfect addition to any beans, soup or stew.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 to 25 minutes
Makes:
12 pieces
Un-beet-able Berry Smoothie
Glasses of purple fruit smoothie.

Un-beet-able Berry Smoothie

Kid-approved recipe with berries, pineapple and colorful beets is quick and fun to make!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Hearty Chicken and Homemade Noodle Soup
Bowl of chicken noodle soup served with crackers.

Hearty Chicken and Homemade Noodle Soup

A classic comfort food soup recipe and a great recipe to use any leftover vegetables in.
Prepare:
30 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
10 cups
Was this page helpful to you?