Get your daily dose of veggies in a cozy, satisfying bowl of White Bean and Kale Soup! This is a hearty, healthy vegan soup that’s packed with fresh flavor and great for meal prep!

White bean and kale soup in a bowl with lemon and thyme

Soup weather is in full swing over here in CA.  No, we don’t have snow and freezing cold temps like some parts of the nation, but we do have a considerable amount of rain after a very dry December.

Rain always gets me in the mood for soup.  Then again…I’m always in the mood for soup. 🙂

In the cold months, I love getting a big dose of veggies in a cozy bowl of soup. My autumn vegetable soup and instant pot vegetable soup always hit the spot.

This easy White Bean and Kale Soup is one of my favorite soup recipes, which I originally posted back in 2013 when I first started this blog. 

It incorporates hearty kale, which is one of my favorite greens. I love enjoying it in kale salad, but it turns out that it’s even tastier in soup!

White bean kale soup with kale, lemon and a linen alongside

Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • White Bean and Kale Soup is packed with veggies, creamy white beans and an entire bunch of kale and makes a healthy, satisfying meal.
  • It’s very easy to make, and is easily customized with ingredients you have in your pantry!
  • This is a fantastic meal prep recipe as it keeps for up to 5 days, or it may be frozen for up to 3 months.

Recipe ingredients

What I love about this white bean kale soup is that it’s completely plant-based, yet it’s nice and hearty.  There are 2 cans of white beans in this soup, so it will stick to your ribs!

White bean kale soup ingredients

Ingredient notes

  • White beans. Creamy white beans work so well in this recipe. I used cannellini beans, but Great Northern beans are a great substitute. In a pinch you can use whatever you have in your pantry.
  • Kale. I love using kale in soups because it’s nice and hardy. For this recipe I used dinosaur kale (also known as Tuscan or lacinato), but you may use other varieties such as curly or baby kale.
  • Veggies. This soup is packed with veggies and fire roasted diced tomatoes, which can be customized with what you have on hand.
  • Vegetable broth. My homemade vegetable broth makes all the difference in this recipe, but it may be substituted with your favorite store bought brand.
  • Flavor enhancers. I used fresh thyme, bay leaf and lemon juice to enhance the flavors in this white bean kale soup. These ingredients make this soup next level!

How to make this recipe

This is a healthy meal that tastes so good that you’ll want it again and again.  The best part is that you more than likely have all of the ingredients in your pantry or fridge.

The white bean and kale soup takes about 10 minutes of prep, 30 minutes of cook time, and it couldn’t be easier.

How to make white bean kale soup collage
  • Sauté the onion, carrot and celery in a large pot or Dutch oven in olive oil until softened, 5-7 minutes.
  • Add the diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, thyme, bay leaf and beans, and bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 15-20 minutes. 
  • Add the kale during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
  • Remove the soup from heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice and adjust the seasoning as necessary.

FAQs

What are white beans called?

Cannellini beans, or white kidney beans, are the most popular white beans. Great Northern or navy beans are great substitutes..

What is the healthiest soup to eat?

Vegetable soups are the healthiest soups to eat as they’re packed with veggies, greens and herbs. If you’re following a low carb diet, be sure that you don’t include potatoes or other starchy veggies as they’re high in carbohydrates.

White bean kale soup in a dutch oven

Recipe notes

  • Whip up a batch of this white bean and kale soup recipe for your meal prep lunch or dinner, or freeze a batch for those busy weeknights.
  • This soup is completely customizable with whatever vegetables that you have on hand.
White bean and kale soup in a white bowl with a spoon alongside

More Soup recipes you’ll love:

Did you try this recipe?  If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram

White bean and kale soup in a bowl with lemon and thyme

Easy White Bean and Kale Soup

White Bean and Kale Soup is hearty, healthy and the cozy way to enjoy your veggies! It's so easy to make and is great for meal prep!
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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion chopped
  • 1 large carrot chopped
  • 1 large stalk celery chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 15 ounces fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups homemade vegetable broth or sub with your favorite store bought variety
  • 1 spring thyme substitute with 1 teaspoon dried
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 cans cannelini beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 bunch kale torn, tough stems discarded
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large soup pot or Dutch oven.  Add the onion, carrot, celery and garlic and saute for 5-7 minutes or until softened.
  • Add the diced tomatoes, broth, sprig of thyme, bay leaf and beans and stir to combine.  Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.  Stir in the kale during the last 5 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and remove the bay leaf and thyme sprig, then stir in the lemon juice. Adjust the seasoning as needed and enjoy!

Notes

  • Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
  • White bean kale soup is completely customizable with whatever vegetables, greens or beans that you have on hand.

Nutrition

Calories: 199kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 442mg, Potassium: 178mg, Fiber: 9g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 4453IU, Vitamin C: 31mg, Calcium: 152mg, Iron: 4mg

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Did you try this recipe?Be sure to tag @flavorthemoments with the hashtag #flavorthemoments on Instagram so I can see what you made!

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