Author: My go-to vegan soup recipe is this 20-minute white bean & kale soup because it's simple, packed full of veggies, gluten-free, made with ingredients you likely already have on hand, and will make you feel great! This soup is delicious, easy, hearty, and healthy. Cook up a pot of this soup and you'll be set for a week of easy meals. You can enjoy this soup alone, or as a side dish served along with salad, or sandwiches. It's good for any time and it's good for you, too!
I have lots of recipes for fun and creative vegan soups, but sometimes I just want something simple and healthy that I can whip up in a flash. This white bean & kale soup (or a variation of it) is my go-to! You can swap the beans with whatever beans you have on hand, and you can also swap the kale for other dark leafy greens if you prefer. This is the perfect soup for when you're feeling a bit under the weather, or when you just want an easy way to incorporate more good for your beans and veggies into your day.
Ingredients:
White Kidney Beans: I use canned beans to make this soup quick and easy to whip up, but if you prefer you can cook your beans from scratch. White kidney beans are my go-to for this recipe, but you can feel free to swap with your favorite beans such as black beans, kidney beans, lentils, lima beans, or pinto beans.
Carrots, Celery, and Onion: also called a French Mirepoix, this trio of veggies makes the perfect flavor base for many dishes including this soup.
Vegetable Broth: use homemade or store-bought vegetable broth, whatever you prefer. If you are looking to make your own vegan soup broth, try my recipe for Vegetable Broth from Scraps or my Veggie Broth Powder recipe from my cookbook Fast Easy Cheap Vegan (page 39).
Kale: I love to add kale to this soup because it provides a wonderful chew, but feel free to swap the kale with your preferred dark leafy greens such as spinach, swiss chard, or collard greens.
Herbs & Spices: In this soup, I add dried thyme leaves, oregano, cumin, turmeric, and pepper to make this soup full of comforting flavors.
How to Make Vegan Soup:
To make my white bean & kale vegan soup recipe, start by heating the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, celery, onion, and garlic. Sauté until the vegetables just begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
Add the vegetable broth, beans, thyme, oregano, cumin, turmeric, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
Add the kale and stir to wilt the kale into the soup. Simmer for another 5 minutes to soften the kale. Add salt to taste if needed. (Many brands of vegetable broth are quite salty so I often don't need any additional salt). Serve hot with a sprinkle of vegan parmesan if desired.
This vegan soup recipe is...
- Quick & easy to make
- Healthy
- Warming and comforting
- Feel better vibes
What to serve with this soup:
Vegan Mozzarella Grilled Cheese
Easy Crispy Vegan Crackers
Cheesy Vegan Garlic Bread
Vegan Egg Salad Sandwich
Vegan Parmesan
If you try this recipe let us know by leaving a comment, rating it, and don't forget to tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram.
So tell me, what's your favorite vegan soup?
Bon appetegan!
Sam Turnbull.
(click stars to vote)
My Go-To Vegan Soup
Servings: servings (makes about 14 cups)
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 3 ribs celery, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 6 cups vegetable broth, or vegan chickenless broth
- 2 19oz cans white kidney beans, (4 cups) drained and rinsed
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups kale, finely shredded
- salt, to taste, if needed
- vegan parmesan, (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, celery, onion, and garlic. Sauté until the veggies just begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
- Add the vegetable broth, beans, thyme, oregano, cumin, turmeric, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the kale and stir to wilt the kale into the soup. Simmer for another 5 minutes to soften the kale. Add salt to taste if needed. Many brands of vegetable broth are quite salty so I often don't need any additional salt.
- Serve hot with a sprinkle of vegan parmesan if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
⭐ Did You Make This Recipe?
I’d love if you left a rating and comment, it helps others find the recipe and makes my day! 💕More vegan soup recipes you might enjoy...
Rosie says
I made this soup for dinner tonight and we both loved it! So simple, quick and delicious. It's also quite filling! I have a good amount leftover, so meal planning will be easy the next couple of days! Thanks Sam!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks Rosie! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, and leftovers are the best bonus 😊
Cecilia says
I made this soup for tonight's dinner and added in some mushrooms with the other veggies. It did not disappoint! Thanks for the delicious recipe, I will definitely be making it again. c:
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks Cecilia! That sounds like a delicious addition. So glad you enjoyed it 😊
Beck says
Made this soup exactly as the recipe stated and served it with garlic bread. I had to add a lot of salt, but I still think it lacked flavor. I did not enjoy the wilted kale in it either.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Feel free to bump up the seasoning or swap the kale for your favorite greens. 😊
Mary Lee Spitz says
This is my favorite! Delicious, quick and easy! Sometimes I switch out the type of beans and/or greens
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Wonderful! SO happy you love it so much Mary!!
Louise says
Absolutely delicious… a firm family favourite
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Wonderful!
Austen says
Loved this soup so much! Instead of kale, I diced one zucchini and cubed a peeled Russet potato. Added a splash of champagne vinegar for some acid. Will make again!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Oooh sounds so yum! SO happy you enjoyed it Austen!
Ronnie says
This soup is perfection. It is my favorite go-to soup!
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Amazing!
Louise says
Delicious soup and so simple to make
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yay! So happy you enjoyed it Louise!
Carrie Xie says
I made a half batch of this because I didn’t have enough beans and OMG is it ever delicious!!!
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hooray! We're happy you like it!
Mary says
Hi, I noticed one commenter mentioned taking your advice and adding soy curls. I couldn't find anything about soy curls elsewhere. When/how would you add soy curls to this soup? I am needing extra protein. I am just not sure if you're soaking the soy curls first and just putting them in the soup when you eat it or if you're adding them while cooking. Thank you.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Mary, I am not sure where I mentioned that either, haha. But you could definitely add soy curls to this. To add soy curls to this soup, simply toss in 1 cup of dry soy curls when you add the broth—they’ll rehydrate and soak up all the flavor as the soup simmers. You may need to add extra broth or water to the soup. For extra flavor, you can soak them in warm water or broth for 10 minutes, squeeze out the excess liquid, and sauté them with a bit of seasoning before adding them in with the kale.
Mary says
Thanks so much for your reply! I made the soup and added some potatoes and soy curls, and it was delicious
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yay! SO happy it turned out 🙂
Lorelei says
I followed the recipe exactly. So I will write a review on exactly the recipe. It was awesome. would not change a thing. I made it twice in one week. Thank you for this.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks Lorelei! I’m so glad you loved it and made it twice already 😊
Pat W says
OMG! Sooo delicious! This was a big hit! I used one can of great northern beans and one of black beans. For our next meal, we will take your suggestion on the soy curls. Also next time I will add sliced mushrooms. Gotta love anything with mushrooms. This will definitely be in our dinner rotation! Thanks for making it fun and easy to be vegan!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
It is my pleasure Pat! Thank you so much for your review 🙂
Cynthia says
Absolutely delicious and easy to make! This soup has helped my husband and I push through a nasty bout of influenza. Thank you so much!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
So happy you enjoyed the soup, feel better!! 🙂
Lynn says
could you add tofu to this soup?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yes, Lynn, tofu would be a great addition! I’d cube it and add it near the end.
Jay Dorman says
Love this soup when I'm sick.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
It's so healing!! 🙂
Carleigh Carroll says
Loved this soup! I did add some green beans as well just to use them up. Perfect for this cold weather.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
So happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
Maria Barr says
This is now my go to vegan soup. I love it!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Mine too! Haha 🙂
Karen says
Loved this! Without the thyme and oregano.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
So happy you enjoyed it Karen!
Taya says
This soup was absolutely delicious! It will now have a place in my favorites. So easy to make and so good. I am going to try adding chopped potatoes and/or pasta\
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Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Fantastic - thanks for your review!
Liz says
Agree! When would you add the potatoes?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Liz, I would add 1–2 medium potatoes (about 1½ to 2 cups, diced) when you add the broth and beans, and simmer for an additional 5–10 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. If the soup thickens too much, add more broth or water to adjust. Enjoy!
Linda says
My second batch this week!. It's still almost 90 degrees in Las Vegas, but I believe if I keep making it, fall will come sooner 🙂 It's absolutely delicious and for me, especially with a few chili pepper flakes.
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Amazing! We're so happy you enjoy it enough to make in the heat! 🙂