McGuires Restaurant Senate Bean Soup Recipe

Anyone from Pensacola or Destin, Florida? If so, please go eat at McGuire’s Irish Pub tonight for me!

Josh has family in Pensacola and on our very first trip there, I found McGuire’s, an awesome Irish pub and microbrewery with some of the BEST food I’ve ever eaten.

We regularly head south just to enjoy the Irish Boxty’s (deep fried mashed potatoes), Beer sampler of 8 different ales, and of course, the Senate Bean Soup.

According to the McGuire’s menu, Senate Bean Soup was served in the US Senate for $0.18, and they still serve it for that price, so long as you get other things with your meal!

Since first finding McGuire’s, Josh has tried to duplicate the Senate Bean Soup recipe from taste, memory, and trial and error. We’re pretty close to the flavor, but it’s still best down at the beach!

Senate Bean Soup Recipe

1 pound dried navy beans or great northern beans, washed and drained
1 smoked turkey leg
3 medium potatoes, cooked and mashed
2 medium onions, chopped
1 cup chopped celery
3 large cloves garlic, minced
4 quarts chicken stock, or water
1/2 tsp liquid smoke
Salt and pepper to taste

Cover beans with water and bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 1 hour. Drain bean liquid into sink; measure and add enough water or broth to make 4 quarts.

Pour broth or water into beans. Season with salt and pepper and liquid smoke. Add smoked turkey leg, onions, celery and garlic, and simmer covered for 2 hours. Remove smoked turkey leg and shred meat and return to pot. Boil potatoes and mash well, incorporating into soup.

Bay leaf
2 Cloves
2 All Spice
Wrap these three spices in cheesecloth and hang it off the edge of the soup pot while it simmers. Remove before serving.

Cook uncovered for one more hour, stirring frequently, or until desired consistency is reached.

Makes about 8 quarts.

Let’s go cook!

Leah