Kale and White Bean Soup Recipe | Sur La Table (2024)

By Tested and perfected in the Sur la Table kitchen

Images

Serves

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces dried white beans, such as cannellini beans or Great Northern
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 large carrot, ¼-inch dice
  • 1-½ pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch dice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon fresh, minced thyme (if using dried thyme, use 1 teaspoon)
  • 6 cups vegetable stock, low-sodium
  • 4 cups kale (preferably lacinato), stems and center ribs discarded and leaves coarsely chopped
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Procedure

Snuggle up to this hearty and nutritious vegetarian soup, delicious on its own or as a starter for a special fall meal.

To soak the dried white beans: There are 2 methods you may choose to use. To soak overnight, rinse the beans and place in a large bowl and cover with cold water, cover with plastic wrap and leave at room temperature for at least 4 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse the beans again prior to use. Alternatively, there is a quicker method. Rinse the beans, place in a saucepan, covered with an inch of water and bring to a boil. Boil for a few minutes and leave the beans to soak for about an hour off the heat, until the beans are puffed. Add fresh water and continue to cook the beans until soft, about 60 to 90 minutes. For every 1 cup of uncooked beans you will need 3 cups of water.

To prepare the soup: Place a large, heavy bottomed saucepan on the stove over medium-high heat and add the oil. When the oil is shimmering, add the onion and, carrot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the sweet potatoes and cook until coated in the aromatics, about 2 minutes.

Drain and rinse the soaked beans and transfer to the saucepan until well coated in the vegetables, about 2 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to stir in bay leaf and thyme.

Add the stock, until the beans are well covered in liquid. Bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until the beans are tender, about 45 minutes. If beans are not tender, let simmer on stove for another 10 to 15 minutes.

When the beans are tender, stir in the kale and simmer until tender, about 8 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

By Tested and perfected in the Sur la Table kitchen

Serves

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces dried white beans, such as cannellini beans or Great Northern
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 large carrot, ¼-inch dice
  • 1-½ pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch dice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon fresh, minced thyme (if using dried thyme, use 1 teaspoon)
  • 6 cups vegetable stock, low-sodium
  • 4 cups kale (preferably lacinato), stems and center ribs discarded and leaves coarsely chopped
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Procedure

Snuggle up to this hearty and nutritious vegetarian soup, delicious on its own or as a starter for a special fall meal.

To soak the dried white beans: There are 2 methods you may choose to use. To soak overnight, rinse the beans and place in a large bowl and cover with cold water, cover with plastic wrap and leave at room temperature for at least 4 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse the beans again prior to use. Alternatively, there is a quicker method. Rinse the beans, place in a saucepan, covered with an inch of water and bring to a boil. Boil for a few minutes and leave the beans to soak for about an hour off the heat, until the beans are puffed. Add fresh water and continue to cook the beans until soft, about 60 to 90 minutes. For every 1 cup of uncooked beans you will need 3 cups of water.

To prepare the soup: Place a large, heavy bottomed saucepan on the stove over medium-high heat and add the oil. When the oil is shimmering, add the onion and, carrot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the sweet potatoes and cook until coated in the aromatics, about 2 minutes.

Drain and rinse the soaked beans and transfer to the saucepan until well coated in the vegetables, about 2 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to stir in bay leaf and thyme.

Add the stock, until the beans are well covered in liquid. Bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until the beans are tender, about 45 minutes. If beans are not tender, let simmer on stove for another 10 to 15 minutes.

When the beans are tender, stir in the kale and simmer until tender, about 8 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

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Kale and White Bean Soup Recipe | Sur La Table (2024)

FAQs

How do you thicken white bean soup? ›

In a separate bowl, dissolve a teaspoon or two of cornstarch or all-purpose flour in a small amount of cold water. Add the slurry to the bubbling soup. The soup should thicken up. Add more cornstarch or flour as needed until the soup reaches your desired consistency.

What if my bean soup needs more flavor? ›

Before serving, season with additional salt, to taste.
  • Spices. A blend of favorites to give the soup big-time flavor, including smoked paprika. ...
  • Fire-Roasted Tomatoes. One of my pantry staples! ...
  • Red Wine Vinegar. For a touch of acid and brightness. ...
  • Parmesan Cheese. The perfect finish for a touch of creaminess.
Feb 16, 2024

When should I add kale to my soup? ›

I like adding kale to things like lentil soup. I usually add it near the end, but give it about 15 minutes of cooking to get very soft.

What is the secret ingredient to thicken soup? ›

Soup Thickening Method: Cornstarch Slurry

About this method: One of the most common ways to thicken sauces and soups is with a starch-based slurry, and cornstarch is a popular choice. Cornstarch is flavorless, easy to mix up, and versatile, which makes it a go-to pantry ingredient.

Is it better to thicken soup with flour or cornstarch? ›

It's important to note that cornstarch has twice the thickening power of flour. If you need to substitute cornstarch to thicken liquid in a recipe that calls for ¼ cup (four tablespoons) flour, you only need two tablespoons cornstarch.

What does vinegar do to bean soup? ›

Wait until the beans are tender but not quite done to add a splash of apple cider vinegar and a couple teaspoons of salt to the pot. The apple cider vinegar breaks down indigestible sugars to help digestion and also brightens the flavor of the beans without the need for excess salt.

How can I deepen my soup flavor? ›

"If your broth is lacking in savory richness, try adding roasted onion, tomato paste, mushrooms, seaweed, soy sauce, or miso. These ingredients add umami flavor and depth to broth," she says. The choice of ingredient depends on the recipe, though.

What does lemon juice do to soup? ›

In this case, however, the lemon provides more of a flavor undertone that enhances other seasonings like thyme, parsley, and turmeric. According to trained chef Leetal Arazi, who spoke with Real Simple, you can bring a "zesty flavor" to your soup simply by adding lemon.

Why is my bean soup watery? ›

Sometimes soup just needs to simmer longer to reach the perfect consistency. Check to see if the vegetables are tender, and then taste the broth. If the soup tastes a bit watery, give it more time.

How do you thicken white beans without cornstarch? ›

All-purpose flour: You can thicken sauces with all-purpose wheat flour. For every tablespoon of cornstarch, use three tablespoons of flour. Combine raw flour with cold water in a small bowl to form a paste, then add it into the sauce as it's simmering. Cooking the flour in the sauce will remove the flour taste.

How do you make bean liquid thicker? ›

I like my juices thick with my beans, therefore in a separate bowl I added 1/4 cup of cornstarch or flour and 1/4 cup of water to make a thickening paste. Then, slowly add your thickening paste to the boiling beans and ham. Be sure to stir as you add it in.

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