Name: White Bean and Kale Soup with Wild Rice
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; 1 large yellow onion, peeled and diced; 2 stalks of celery, ends trimmed and cut into thin slices; 2 large carrots, peeled, ends trimmed and cut into thin slices; 2 tsp minced garlic; 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, minced; 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves; 1/4 – 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (to taste); 1 bay leaf; 1 tsp each salt and ground black pepper (or more, to taste); 1/2 cup dry white wine or dry vermouth; 2 cups diced fresh tomatoes (can also use canned diced tomatoes); 4 cups (32 oz) vegetable broth; 3/4 cup wild rice; 10 oz kale leaves, torn into pieces that are roughly 2 inches (5 heaping cups); 2 cups white beans, canned and drained or cooked in a slow cooker; Croutons for serving (optional, see note)

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This simple vegetarian soup is packed with wild rice, white beans, tomatoes, onions, carrots, and kale. It is both hearty and light, homey and filling without weighing you down.

A bowl of vegetarian white bean and kale soup.

Slow Cooking White Beans

You'll see in the list of ingredients for this soup there is the option to use canned white beans or dried beans cooked in a slow cooker.

If possible, I urge you to go with the dried bean option. Cooking dried beans in a slow cooker only takes about 5 minutes of prep time and allows you to infuse the beans with herbs and spices, which will add another layer of flavor to this soup.

For this soup, in addition to the herbs and spices listed in this recipe for slow cooker beans, I suggest adding 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning and 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.

Get the beans going in the slow cooker at least 4 hours before you plan to make this soup - or, cook the beans up to 5 days in advance, storing them in some of their cooking liquid in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Having said all that, using canned beans is perfectly acceptable and will still produce a richly flavorful soup.

Top Bowls of White Bean Soup with Croutons

I love topping soup with croutons. Especially homemade croutons. They are a simple way to add that little something extra to an already delicious meal.

Making croutons is as simple as cutting up some bread, tossing it with olive oil and spices and putting them in the oven to bake. Plus, croutons are a great way to use up leftover bread. Here's a short video to show you how.

White bean and kale soup with wild rice and tomatoes topped with croutons.

Taking a bite of white bean and kale soup with wild rice and tomatoes.

More Favorite Vegetable Based Recipes:

📖 Recipe

Yield: 6 servings