White Bean Kale Soup (Printable)
A hearty bowl featuring creamy white beans, fresh kale, and zesty lemon for a wholesome meal any time.
# Ingredient List:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 bunch kale, stems removed and leaves chopped (about 6 cups, packed)
07 - Zest of 1 lemon
→ Beans
08 - 2 (15-ounce) cans white beans (cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed
→ Liquids
09 - 5 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
→ Seasonings
10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1 bay leaf
13 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
14 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Finish
15 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
16 - Extra lemon zest and chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
# How to Make:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 6–8 minutes, until vegetables are softened.
02 - Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
03 - Add chopped kale and sauté for 2–3 minutes, until wilted.
04 - Stir in the white beans, vegetable broth, thyme, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
05 - Remove the bay leaf. Stir in lemon zest and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Serve hot, garnished with extra lemon zest and fresh parsley if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The lemon zest wakes up every spoonful and makes you feel like you discovered something magic
- It comes together in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
02 -
- Mashing some beans against the pot wall creates a velvety texture that feels luxurious without any cream
- The lemon goes in at the end because cooking it makes the flavor disappear instead of shine
03 -
- A tablespoon of olive oil stirred in right before serving adds a velvety richness
- Use a microplane for the lemon zest—you only want the bright yellow part, not the bitter white pith underneath