How Long To Cook Kale In A Soup

By · Published: Oct 19, 2021 · Updated: Oct 19, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

Soup in a Dutch oven with a ladle with overlay text that says, "kale soup".

This delicious Kale Soup with white beans and vegetables in a seasoned tomato-based broth is a wholesome and flavor-packed meal. It's so hearty and satisfying, you'll never know it's vegetarian!

Overhead view of kale soup with white beans in a Dutch oven with a ladle.

What I love about this soup is that it's healthy (without sacrificing flavor) and it uses staple pantry ingredients along with fresh vegetables. The leftovers are delicious reheated (so it's great for meal prepping) and it freezes well, too!

Ingredients Notes

Overhead view of ingredients for kale soup on a white marble surface.

Fresh kale – (one bunch). I find that bunches of kale can vary greatly in size, so an 8 to 12 ounce bunch works in this recipe. You'll need to remove the large stems and coarsely chop or tear the leaves.
Carrots
Garlic – minced fresh garlic is best, but feel free to use the jarred version to speed things up a little.
Olive oil
Vegetable broth – chicken broth can be substituted but it will not be vegetarian.
Potatoes – peeled and cut into bite size pieces.
Onion
Salt and black pepper – I season with salt and pepper at the end of cooking (especially since the white beans are not drained and it adds more sodium).
Diced tomatoes
Cannellini beans – great northern beans can be substituted for cannellini beans.
Italian seasoning – feel free to adjust the amount to your liking.
Bay leaf – remove and discard before serving.

How to Make Kale Soup

Following is a brief overview – please see the recipe card at the bottom for ingredient amounts and full detailed instructions.

Two images showing steps of vegetables sautéing in a Dutch oven for making kale soup.

In a 6 quart Dutch oven or soup pot, cook garlic and onion in olive oil until onions are soft.
Add chopped kale and cook for an additional two minutes.

Two images showing kale soup in a Dutch oven before and after simmering.

Add vegetable broth, diced tomatoes with juices, beans, carrots, potatoes, Italian seasoning and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
Bring to a gentle boil and reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Cover and cook for 25 minutes, or until potatoes and carrots are tender. Season with salt and pepper. Remove and discard bay leaf before serving.

Overhead view of white bean and kale soup sprinkled with Parmesan in a white bowl.

To take this delicious soup a step further, I sometimes sprinkle with Parmesan and serve with crusty French bread – totally satisfying!

Closeup view of kale soup with potatoes, carrots and white beans in a Dutch oven.

Enjoy!

More Kale Deliciousness

Crock Pot Zuppa Toscana
Southwestern Chicken and Vegetable Soup
Sautéed Kale and Mushrooms

Overhead view of white bean and kale soup in a white Dutch oven.

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 ½ cups chopped yellow onion
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
1 bunch kale (8 to 12 ounces) rinsed, large stems removed and coarsely chopped
1 (32 ounce) container vegetable broth
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes undrained
2 (15.5 ounce) cans cannellini beans undrained
2 cups peeled and sliced carrots (sliced ¼ inch thick) 3 to 4 carrots
3 russet potatoes peeled and sliced into bite size pieces (about ½ inch cubes) about 4 cups
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 bay leaf
½ teaspoon salt more or less, to taste
½ teaspoon black pepper more or less, to taste

Heat olive oil over medium high heat in a 6 quart Dutch oven or soup pot. Add onions and garlic and cook for 2 minutes, or until onions are soft, stirring constantly.
Add kale and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, cannellini beans, carrots, potatoes, Italian seasoning and bay leaf. Stir to combine. Bring to a gentle boil and reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer (medium low to low).
Cover and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, or until potatoes and carrots are tender. Season with desired amounts of salt and pepper. Remove and discard bay leaf before serving.

This recipe yields approximately 14 cups.
Cannellini beans can be substituted with great northern beans.
Vegetable broth can be substituted with chicken broth, but will not be vegetarian.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and reheat.