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Easy Hearty Crockpot White Bean and Kale Soup

easy hearty crockpot white bean and kale soup - featured image
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A comforting and nourishing slow-cooked soup featuring creamy white beans and tender kale, perfect for cozy dinners with minimal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups dried white beans (navy or cannellini), rinsed and soaked overnight or 3 cans white beans, drained and rinsed
  • 4 cups roughly chopped kale leaves, stems removed (curly or dinosaur kale preferred)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 dried bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. If using dried beans, soak them overnight in cold water (about 8 hours). Drain and rinse before cooking. If skipped, rinse and proceed but expect longer cooking.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion, diced carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic in the last minute and cook about 30 seconds until aromatic but not browned.
  3. Transfer sautéed veggies to the crockpot. Add soaked beans, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour in 6 cups vegetable broth and stir gently to combine.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until beans are tender and creamy. If using canned beans, reduce cooking time to 2-3 hours on low.
  5. About 30 minutes before the end of cooking, stir in chopped kale. Cover and continue cooking until kale is wilted but still bright green.
  6. Remove bay leaves. Stir in apple cider vinegar to brighten flavors. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  7. Ladle soup into bowls and serve warm immediately or let sit for 10 minutes off heat to deepen flavors.

Notes

Sautéing the aromatics before slow cooking adds depth and sweetness to the soup. Add kale in the last 30 minutes to keep it tender and vibrant. Use canned beans for a shortcut but reduce cooking time. Adjust salt gradually to avoid oversalting. If soup is too thick, add extra broth or water.

Nutrition

Keywords: white bean soup, kale soup, crockpot soup, slow cooker soup, healthy soup, vegetarian soup, gluten-free soup, easy dinner, hearty soup

Find it online: https://lumalunch.com/easy-hearty-crockpot-white-bean-and-kale-soup-recipe-for-cozy-dinners/