Tuscan White Bean Kale Soup Recipe (2024)

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The best Tuscan White Bean Kale Soup recipe with winter squash, leeks, lacinato kale and creamy cannellini beans. Quick and easy to make on the stove top, without meat, 100% vegan and gluten free. Slow cooker method included.

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Tuscan White Bean and Kale Soup

Brimming with whole foods this comforting vegan and pure vegetarian soup screams for Italian crusty bread to be dunked in it and it’s absolutely out of this world delicious.

Featuring Tuscan kale, also called Lacinato kale or Cavalo Nero, a rich homemade veggie broth and lots of earthy flavors from cannellini beans and winter squash.

A Real Zuppa Toscana aka Zuppa di fa*gioli Bianchi!

I swapped the traditional parmesan rind for food for you nutritional yeast to make it super delicious and as healthy as can be without any added fat or cholesterol. No ham hock, no bacon, no chorizo, only real and kind ingredients. After all, animal products are so 1800s and late, nobody needs that negativity in their lives and our bodies.

But how to make creamy bean soup without heavy cream you ask?

Very easy! Once fully cooked just transfer about two cups of the soup to your blender and puree until silky smooth. Stir it back into the soup pot for a creamy but still rustic texture.

Let’s Talk Flavor!

  • I used a base of flavorful leeks and acorn winter squash in my recipe, however you could use butternut or kabocha squash, sweet potatoes and even just a couple of large carrots will work just fine in this. Use what is available!
  • If you fancy a little smokiness in your soup just add a touch of liquid smoke. Strat with about 1/4 teaspoon and work your way up from there, don’t use too much as not to ruin a great thing.

Why you’ll love this soup

Simple to make

Restorative

Quick & Easy

Comforting & Warming

Rich in Protein + Micronutrients

Eaethy, Hearty + Healthy!

Tips + FAQ

  • Can I use dried beans instead of canned? – Absolutely yes! Just remember to soak in advance and cook them separately with aromatics and herbs before adding them to the soup. If you are going to cook beans from scratch I suggest making at least two or three cups and storing leftovers for later uses. I do that when making my black bean soup and it never goes to waste.
  • Can you freeze Tuscan bean soup? You sure can. Most soups usually freeze very well, store in small portions in glass containers for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
  • What exactly are cannellini beans? – They are kidney shaped Italian beans with a mild yet earthy nutty flavor and super creamy texture. They can be replaced in recipes with navy or northern beans. (Note worthy: During the rise of the Roman Empire beans were used for voting. The white was a YES, the black was a NO. The more you know, right?! )

How to Make Tuscan White Bean Kale Soup with Dried Beans

  1. Rinse 2-3 cups of dried beans well then place them in a large bowl covered with cold water by 2 inches. Soak for at least 5 hours and up to 8. After soaking make sure to drain and rinse the beans in a colander again, then transfer them to a heavy bottom stock pot.
  2. Cover the beans with 3 inches of water, add some herbs and aromatics (bay leaves, fresh rosemary, 1/2 onion, carrot, garlic and a pinch of coarse salt. Bring to a rapid simmer, cover and cook for one hour or until the beans are cooked through, soft and creamy to your liking.

Slow Cooker Method

  1. Combine all of the soup ingredient in a slow cooker except the kale or leafy greens.
  2. Cook on HIGH 3 to 4 hours, or on LOW 7 to 8 hours.
  3. Add the kale in. the last 15 minutes of cooking. Adjust seasonings and serve with extra nutritional yeast on the side.

Watch How to Make it on the Stovetop

Tuscan White Bean Kale Soup Recipe (10)

4.91 from 11 votes

Tuscan White Bean Kale Soup

The best Tuscan White Bean Kale Soup recipe with winter squash, leeks, lacinato kale and creamy cannellini beans. Super easy to make, without meat, 100% vegan and gluten free!

Print Recipe

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:30 minutes mins

Total Time:40 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 15 oz canned cannellini beans (drained, or 2 cups homemade cooked beans)
  • 1/2 acorn squash (4-5 cups) (or kabocha squash)
  • 1 bunch Tuscan kale (about 3 packed cups)
  • 6 cups veggie stock (low-sodium)
  • 1/2 leek (or 1 small yellow onion) -chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic -minced
  • 6 sprigs thyme
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary -chopped
  • 2 leaves bay
  • 3 tbsp vegan Parmesan or nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • sea salt & black pepper to taste
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes (OPTIONAL)
  • 1/4 tsp liquid smoke (OPTIONAL)
  • lemon wedges for serving

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Slice the leeks then rinse them well in a colander with cold water.

  • Preheat a heavy bottom stock pot over medium flame and add a splash of water and the cleaned leeks with a pinch of sea salt. Saute for a few minutes until they have collapsed and begin to caramelize. (add more liquid if needed to make sure they don’t burn).

  • Meanwhile rinse the squash, discard the seeds and cut it into one inch pieces.Add it to the pot with the leeks together with the thyme, rosemary and bay leaves. Give everything a good stir and add the minced garlic and garlic powder. Stir again and pour in the veggie stock.

  • Bring the soup to a simmer then add the vegan parmesan (or nutritional yeast) and cook for about 25 minutes until the squash is cooked through.

  • Add the cooked beans to the soup and simmer until warm. Discard the bay leaf and thyme sprigs. Taste and adjust seasonings with sea salt and black pepper to your taste.

  • Transfer two cups of the soup to a blender and puree until smooth. Add the puree back into the soup pot and mix to combine.

  • Rinse the kale well and remove the stems. Chop it into small pieces and add it to the soup. Cook a couple of minutes until wilted. Serve hot with a pinch of the red pepper flakes and lemon wedges on the side.

Slow Cooker Method:

  • Combine all of the soup ingredients in a slow cooker except the kale.Cook on HIGH 3 to 4 hours, or on LOW 7 to 8 hours.

  • Add the kale in the last 15 to minutes of cooking. Serve hot with extra nutritional yeast on the side.

Video

Notes

  • Nowadays I make most recipes oil-free and WFPB compliant. If you insist of adding some olive oil to this soup just add it at the very end before serving.
  • Only use the liquid smoke if youwant to give your soup a smoky flavor. Start with very little and work your way up as it can be overpowering.

Nutrition

Calories: 226kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1212mg | Potassium: 1151mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 7855IU | Vitamin C: 91.3mg | Calcium: 216mg | Iron: 5.6mg

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: White Bean Kale Soup

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 226kcal

Author: Florentina

Soup Recipes:

Tuscan White Bean Kale Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the thickener in a 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.

How many calories are in Tuscan white bean and kale soup? ›

Fresh Foods Market Tuscan Style White Bean And Kale Soup (1 cup) contains 23g total carbs, 19g net carbs, 6g fat, 6g protein, and 180 calories.

Are cannellini beans the same as white beans? ›

White beans are a group of legumes with white casings and starchy insides which include navy beans, cannellini beans, “great northern” beans, and lima beans. Navy beans, great northern beans, and cannellini beans are grown from the Phaseolus vulgaris plant, while lima beans are grown on the Phaseolus lunatus plant.

What is the secret ingredient to thicken soup? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool. Add a few tablespoons of flour or cornstarch to the bowl and whisk until it's blended smooth. Next, bring the soup to a simmer and add the mixture back to the pot. Pro tip: Don't dump in the entire mixture at once.

What if my bean soup needs more flavor? ›

A few great choices are thyme, bay leaf, parsley, and rosemary. 4. Try adding some acidity. A splash of lemon juice or a tablespoon of white wine vinegar can brighten the flavors of the soup.

How do you make bean soup thicker without cornstarch? ›

You could use a hand potato masher, but if you used a hand blender or a regular blender and puree some of the beans and the broth, you will get a creamy liquid that will mix back into your soup and thicken it without changing the flavor at all.

Why is my bean soup watery? ›

To thicken the broth in bean soup, you can try the following methods: Mashing a Portion of Beans: Gently mash a portion of the cooked beans against the side of the pot. This releases starches, naturally thickening the broth. Be careful not to overdo it; you still want to maintain the soup's texture.

What does cornstarch do to soup? ›

Cornstarch, or corn flour, can be used to thicken soup through its high starch content. Cornstarch is a great thickener for soup because only a little bit is needed to significantly thicken a soup, and it will not affect the flavor profile of the soup.

How many carbs are in Tuscan bean soup? ›

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
270Calories
3gFat
44gCarbs
15gProtein

How many calories are in homemade white bean soup? ›

With 14 grams of fiber, 13 grams of protein and 33% RDV of potassium in each serving, it's packed with nutrients that your body craves. This white bean soup is very filling but only has 231 calories so it's a great soup to help with your weight loss goals.

What can I use to thicken soup beans? ›

There are several ingredients you can add to thicken bean soup while adding flavor at the same time. Try adding tomato paste, pureed vegetables like carrots or potatoes, or even a spoonful of nut butter. These additions will enhance the thickness and taste of your soup.

What can I use to thicken beans? ›

You can also make a slurry of 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and about a cup or so of cool water, or some of the bean liquid. If you use the bean liquid, remove it first and set it aside to cool slightly.

What can I use to thicken ham and bean soup? ›

Step 2: Thicken the soup.

Sprinkle in flour then cook for 1 minute stirring constantly. The addition of flour to the Ham and Bean Soup will give it a nice velvety texture.

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

The most classic and surefire way to thicken a broth-based soup is with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon.

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