Easy • soups and stews

Cozy White Bean and Kale Soup

Name: Cozy White Bean and Kale Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling; 1 yellow onion, chopped; 2 carrots, peeled and chopped; 2 celery stalks, chopped; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini or great northern beans, drained; 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth; 1 small bunch lacinato kale, stems removed, leaves torn; Salt and black pepper; Juice of 1/2 lemon; Grated parmesan and crusty bread, to serve

A warming, nourishing soup with creamy white beans and tender kale in a brothy, garlicky base.

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 25 min
Servings: 4
Level: Easy

This is the soup to make when you need something gentle and restorative. White beans turn creamy as they simmer, kale wilts down to silky ribbons, and a drizzle of good olive oil at the end ties it all together. It's the kind of dinner that warms you from the inside out, and it's ready in 30 minutes. Crusty bread is non-negotiable.

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini or great northern beans, drained
6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 small bunch lacinato kale, stems removed, leaves torn
Salt and black pepper
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Grated parmesan and crusty bread, to serve

Preparation

Step 1
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook, stirring, until softened, about 7 minutes.
Step 2
Stir in the garlic, thyme, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook 1 minute.
Step 3
Add the beans and broth. Bring to a simmer and cook gently for 10 minutes.
Step 4
For a creamier texture, scoop out about 1 cup of the soup, blend until smooth, and stir back into the pot.
Step 5
Add the kale and simmer until just wilted, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then stir in the lemon juice.
Step 6
Ladle into bowls. Drizzle with olive oil, top with parmesan, and serve with crusty bread.

Tips

Adding a parmesan rind while the soup simmers gives it incredible depth — discard before serving.
Spinach or chard works beautifully in place of kale; just stir in at the very end.
Soup tastes even better the next day after the flavors meld.