White Bean and Kale Soup (Printable)
A vibrant, nourishing soup with creamy white beans, tender kale, and bright lemon zest. Ready in 45 minutes for wholesome meals.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
02 - 2 medium carrots, diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 bunch kale (about 7 oz), stems removed and leaves chopped
06 - Zest of 1 lemon
→ Beans & Broth
07 - 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans (cannellini or navy), drained and rinsed
08 - 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
09 - 1 cup water
→ Seasonings
10 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
14 - 1 bay leaf
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
17 - Grated Parmesan (optional, omit for vegan/dairy-free)
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5-6 minutes.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add dried thyme, oregano, chili flakes if using, and bay leaf. Stir well to coat vegetables with seasonings.
04 - Add white beans, vegetable broth, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
05 - Stir in chopped kale and simmer for another 8-10 minutes until kale is tender.
06 - Remove bay leaf. Stir in lemon zest and taste for salt and pepper, adjusting as needed.
07 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The secret ingredient timing gives you depth without effort
- Leftovers taste even better the next day for easy meal prep
02 -
- The lemon zest must be added at the very end or the brightness disappears entirely
- Mashing a few beans against the pot side before adding kale transforms the texture
03 -
- Rinse canned beans thoroughly to avoid cloudy broth
- Use a vegetable peeler for lemon zest instead of a grater for more elegant strips