Hearty White Bean Soup with Kale and Lemon 🍲🌿

This comforting and nutritious white bean soup is perfect for chilly days! Packed with protein-rich beans, nutritious kale, and brightened up with a splash of fresh lemon juice, this soup is both savory and refreshing. It’s great for meal prep and can be customized with your favorite herbs or vegetables. Serve it with a crusty loaf of bread for a satisfying meal! 🥖🍋

Ingredients

For the soup base

• 2 cups of dried white beans (like cannellini or great northern), soaked overnight
• 4 cups of vegetable broth (or chicken broth for added richness)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the finishing touch

• 2 cups of kale, chopped (stems removed)
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Beans: Drain and rinse the soaked beans. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes or until vegetables are softened.

2. Make the Soup Base: Stir in the garlic, thyme, bay leaf, and the rinsed beans. Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 1 hour, or until the beans are tender.

⏳ If you prefer to use canned beans, skip the soaking and cooking process and add them during the last 15 minutes of simmering to heat through.

3. Add the Kale: Once the beans are tender, stir in the chopped kale and let it wilt, about 5 minutes. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Finish with Citrus: Turn off the heat and stir in the lemon juice and zest for a bright finish.

5. Serve and Garnish: Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Feel free to serve with toasted bread drizzled with olive oil on the side!

🎉 This soup can be made ahead of time and tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Just reheat gently over low heat before serving.

Variations

• Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño during the sauté step for a little kick! 🌶️
• Creamy: Blend half of the soup (avoid the bay leaf!) with an immersion blender for a creamier texture, and then stir the remainder back in.
• Protein-packed: Stir in some cooked sausage or shredded chicken for a heartier option.
• Vegetarian: Ensure to use vegetable broth and add more veggies like zucchini or bell peppers for a colorful twist! 🍃

Enjoy this delightful bowl of white bean soup, packed with health and flavor! 🍲✨