Kale White Bean Soup Lemon (Printable)

A hearty blend of white beans, kale, lemon, and garlic for a cozy, flavorful meal.

# What You'll 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)

# Method:

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 the beans and vegetable broth. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
04 - Add the chopped kale and cook for another 10–12 minutes, until the kale is 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.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like you've been simmering it all day.
  • The bright lemon lifts everything, making you feel nourished rather than just full.
  • You probably have half these ingredients already, so it's the perfect rescue dinner.
02 -
  • Don't skip removing the kale stems or you'll be chewing on bitter sticks, a mistake I made exactly once and learned forever from.
  • The lemon juice goes in at the end, not at the beginning, because heat changes its brightness and you want that fresh snap in every bite.
03 -
  • Always taste before you season because salt content varies wildly between broths, and you want to control that yourself.
  • If your kale seems particularly tough, add it a few minutes earlier so it has more time to become tender.
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