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Kale & White Bean Soup with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

This plant-based kale and white bean soup is built on a deeply savory sun-dried tomato base rather than a traditional broth-heavy approach. White beans thicken the soup naturally, while kale is added at the end to stay vibrant and fresh.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 tablespoons oil from the sun-dried tomatoes
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/3 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, lightly crushed
  • Pinch red pepper flakes
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans white beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 quart vegetable broth
  • 1 large bunch lacinato kale, deveined and torn into bite-size pieces
  • Flaky sea salt, for serving
  • Toasted sourdough, for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat the sun-dried tomato oil in a large, heavy pot over medium heat. Add the onion with a pinch of salt and cook until soft and translucent, 6–8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant.
  2. Stir in the tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, fennel seeds, and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring often, until the mixture darkens slightly and smells sweet and concentrated, about 4–5 minutes.
  3. Add the white beans and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, until the flavors meld and the onion begins to fall apart.
  4. Scoop about 1 1/2 cups of the soup (mostly beans and liquid) and blend until smooth. Stir the purée back into the pot to give the broth body.
  5. Add the kale and simmer 3–5 minutes more, just until softened but still vibrant.
  6. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt. Serve with toasted sourdough.

Notes

Let the tomato paste cook: Don’t rush this step. The flavor deepens as it darkens slightly and becomes fragrant.

Blend for texture, not smoothness: You’re looking for body, not a purée. Blending about 2 cups is perfect.

Add the kale last: This keeps it green and prevents bitterness.

Taste before salting: Sun-dried tomatoes vary widely in saltiness.