Chock-full of yummy ingredients (like cannellini beans, kale, garlic and cream), this white bean and kale soup recipe is easy to prepare, hearty and totally delicious! Topped with homemade crispy chickpeas, there are so many scrumptious flavours and textures in this easy bean veggie soup.
Regardless of the time of year, whether it’s winter, spring, summer or fall, I always love (and appreciate) recipes that can be made fast, taste delicious and are relatively easy on the grocery budget.
That’s why this white bean and kale soup with crispy chickpeas fits the bill perfectly. The soup itself can be made quickly, which often prevents me from buying store-bought soup. Plus, let’s be honest here, anything homemade is so much better than store-bought. Am I right?
The ingredients in this soup are quite simple, nothing fancy, just the way I like it. Heck, you likely have the ingredients on hand right now, so what are ya waiting for?
By the way, did you know that cannellini beans are white kidney beans? So, if you’re in the grocery store (or raiding your pantry) looking for beans to make this soup, cannellini or white kidney beans are what you are looking for!
Making the Crispy Chickpeas
Crispy chickpeas. I could eat those for days. You too? Honestly, I’m lucky they even made it to the soup because I ate half of them before I started taking pictures.
So, to make them, after the chickpeas are rinsed, drained and patted dry, simply toss them with some olive and salt, spread out onto a sheet pan and roast until crispy, turning halfway. (Refer to the recipe card below for the full details on how to make them.)
I love topping this bean and veggie soup with crispy chickpeas. However, if you want to save time or not bother with them, feel free to leave them out.
Alternatively, instead of topping your soup with crispy chickpeas, try topping with crackers or homemade croutons.
Aside from topping the bean and kale soup with chickpeas, the chickpeas on their own are fabulous snack or can be used on salads for extra crunch.
Tip: It’s inevitable that when you top your soup with the chickpeas they will start to lose their crispness (just like crackers or croutons would). No biggie, but I would keep that in mind and not top the soup with the chickpeas until you are ready to devour.
Making the Soup
- Heat some olive oil in a pot, then cook the onion until softened.
- Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add beans, Herbes de Provence, salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes.
- Pour in broth, bring to a boil, the reduce the heat to a simmer and cook to warm through.
- Remove about 1 cup of soup and blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Pour back into the pot of soup.
- Add kale and cream to the soup. Bring to a simmer and cook until the kale is just wilted.
- Divide the soup into bowls, garnish with crispy chickpeas and devour! (Full recipe ingredients and instructions are in the recipe card below.)
No Kale? No Problem!
If you don’t have kale on hand (or prefer not to use), you can substitute with Swiss chard or baby spinach. Baby spinach is a lot more delicate than kale and Swiss chard, so it will cook/wilt a lot quicker.
What To Serve With It
This soup is quite satisfying all on its own. However, if you want to make yourself a more substantial meal, try serving the soup with a veggie sandwich, green salad or some crusty bread (garlic bread is delicious).
More Yummy Soup Recipes
If you make this white bean and kale soup, be sure to leave a comment below!
This white bean and kale soup recipe was originally published in November 2016 but has been updated.
White Bean and Kale Soup With Crispy Chickpeas
Ingredients
Crispy Chickpeas
- 1 (19-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1.5 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
White Bean and Kale Soup
- 1.5 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, peeled and diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (19-ounce) can cannellini (white kidney) beans, rinsed and drained
- 1.5 teaspoons Herbes de Provence, or a combination of dried thyme, rosemary and tarragon
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, depending on how spicy you like things
- 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- ½ cup heavy cream (whipping cream)
- 3 ounces kale, leaves remove from stems and cut into bite-sized pieces (about 100 grams or 5 to 6 handfuls)
Instructions
Crispy Chickpeas
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure your chickpeas are patted dry of excess moisture (this helps them to crisp up nicely). I like to place them in a clean tea towel to pat dry. You can discard any chickpea skins that come off. Place the chickpeas in a bowl and toss with olive oil and salt. Spread the chickpeas out onto a large sheet pan in a single layer and roast for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring them halfway. While the chickpeas are roasting, you can start to prepare the soup.Note: Ovens vary, so if the chickpeas haven't reach the level of crispness you want, you can continue to roast them until they do.
White Bean and Kale Soup
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onion and cook 3 to 5 minutes until softened, then stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add beans, Herbes de Provence, salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes.
- Pour in broth, bring to a boil, the reduce the heat to a simmer (about medium-low heat) and cook 3 to 5 minute to warm through.
- Remove about 1 cup of soup, place into a heat-safe measuring cup (something that holds 2 to 4 cups) and blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Pour back into the pot of soup. (This adds extra creaminess and body to the soup.)Note: If you don't have an immersion blender or prefer not to use, you can place the cup of soup/beans in a heat-safe bowl and mash with a potato masher. Alternatively, you can blend the soup with a regular blender.
- Add kale and cream to the soup. Bring to a simmer (don't boil) and cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until kale is wilted. Adjust seasoning by adding more salt, black pepper or Herbes de Provence if necessary.
- To serve, divide the soup into bowls and garnish with crispy chickpeas. Enjoy!
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
