Hearty Kale Vegetable Bean Soup (Printable Version)

Hearty soup with kale, vegetables, and protein-rich beans

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 3 medium carrots, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 1 large potato, peeled and diced
07 - 6 cups kale, stems removed and leaves chopped

→ Legumes

08 - 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

→ Liquids

09 - 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
10 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
14 - Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 3 minutes until translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, diced carrots, celery, and potato. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Add chopped kale to the pot and sauté for 2 minutes until slightly wilted.
04 - Pour in vegetable broth and add thyme, cumin, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
06 - Stir in cannellini beans and simmer for 5 additional minutes to heat through.
07 - Add lemon juice, adjust seasoning to taste, and serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of hearty vegetables and beans creates a surprisingly filling meal that doesnt weigh you down like cream-based soups.
  • You can toss in whatever vegetables are looking sad in your crisper drawer, making this perfect for those Sunday night fridge clean-outs before grocery shopping.
02 -
  • Adding the kale stems makes the soup bitter, so take the extra minute to strip the leaves from the tough center ribs before chopping.
  • The soup actually improves overnight as flavors meld in the refrigerator, making it perfect for meal prep or deliberate leftovers.
03 -
  • For a creamier texture without dairy, puree about one-third of the soup with an immersion blender before adding the beans, creating a silky base while maintaining plenty of texture.
  • The quality of your vegetable broth dramatically impacts the final flavor, so use homemade if possible or look for low-sodium versions with simple, clean ingredients.
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