Hearty Kale and Bean Soup (Printable Version)

Tender kale, cannellini beans, and root vegetables simmered in savory vegetable broth for a wholesome meal.

# 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 oz) 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 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
14 - Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional

# How-To Steps:

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 and sauté for 2 minutes until slightly wilted.
04 - Pour in vegetable broth and add dried thyme, cumin, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
06 - Stir in drained cannellini beans and simmer for 5 additional minutes to heat through.
07 - Add lemon juice, adjust seasoning to taste, and serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It actually tastes like comfort without making you feel sluggish afterward.
  • You can have it ready in under an hour, yet it tastes like you fussed over it for days.
  • It's forgiving enough to throw together on a chaotic weeknight, but feels fancy enough for friends.
02 -
  • Don't skip removing the kale stems, because they're tough and fibrous and will never soften no matter how long you cook, turning into disappointing little sticks.
  • The potato is doing the work of making this creamy naturally, so resist the urge to blend it unless you specifically want a smooth soup, which changes the whole experience.
03 -
  • Cut all your vegetables about the same size so they finish cooking at the same time, because uneven pieces create an uneven eating experience.
  • Never let the soup boil hard after the beans go in, because gentle simmering keeps everything intact and beautiful rather than falling apart into mush.
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