Hearty Kale and Bean Soup (Printable Version)

Wholesome kale soup with carrots, potatoes, and white beans in a savory herb-infused broth. Vegetarian & gluten-free.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 3 medium carrots, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 1 large potato, peeled and diced
07 - 6 cups kale, stems removed and leaves chopped

→ Legumes

08 - 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

→ Liquids

09 - 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

→ Spices and Seasonings

11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
14 - Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes until translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, diced carrots, diced celery, and diced potato. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Add chopped kale and sauté for 2 minutes until slightly wilted.
04 - Pour in vegetable broth and add dried thyme, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
06 - Stir in drained cannellini beans and simmer for 5 additional minutes to heat through.
07 - Add fresh lemon juice and adjust seasoning to taste. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour and requires just one pot, which means minimal cleanup on nights when energy is already spent.
  • The combination of tender vegetables and hearty beans keeps you satisfied without feeling heavy, and it tastes even better the next day.
  • This soup adapts beautifully to whatever vegetables are lingering in your kitchen, so it becomes a little different every time you make it.
02 -
  • If you add the lemon juice too early, it can curdle the soup and make it taste flat, so always do this as the final step right before serving.
  • Oversalting the broth at the beginning is the quickest way to ruin the whole pot, so season gradually and taste as you go rather than guessing.
03 -
  • Don't skip the step of removing kale stems because they stay stubbornly tough even after long cooking and can make the texture unpleasant.
  • Tasting the soup multiple times during cooking teaches your palate what each ingredient contributes, which makes you a better cook overall.
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