Kale White Bean Soup Lemon Garlic (Printable)

A nourishing blend of kale, white beans, lemon, and garlic for a cozy, flavorful soup.

# What you need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
04 - 2 celery ribs, sliced
05 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 6 cups curly kale, stems removed and leaves chopped

→ Beans & Broth

07 - 2 cans (15 oz each) cannellini or great northern beans, rinsed and drained
08 - 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

→ Flavorings & Seasonings

09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
12 - Zest of 1 lemon
13 - Juice of 1 lemon
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Finishing Touches

15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional

# How to make it:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
02 - Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. Stir in thyme, oregano, and red pepper flakes if using.
03 - Add beans and vegetable broth. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
04 - Add chopped kale and cook for 10–12 minutes, until tender but still vibrant.
05 - Stir in lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - Remove from heat. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • It's ready in under an hour, but tastes like you've been tending it all day.
  • The lemon brings a brightness that makes your taste buds wake up, and somehow transforms simple ingredients into something special.
  • You can make it vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free without any fussing or substitutions.
02 -
  • Don't skip the sauté step with your vegetables, even though it takes a few extra minutes, because that caramelization is where half the flavor lives.
  • Lemon zest and juice added at the very end preserve their brightness, so don't cook them into the pot or they lose their punch.
03 -
  • Make this in a big batch and freeze it in portions, though leave out the lemon juice until you reheat so it stays bright and doesn't become muted.
  • The soup actually tastes better the next day after the flavors have had time to really get to know each other, so don't hesitate to make it ahead.
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