• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Pinch and Swirl
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • About
  • Free Recipe EBook
  • My Saved Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • About
  • Free Recipe EBook
  • My Saved Recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Recipes » Soup

    White Bean, Sausage and Kale Soup

    Published: Mar 12, 2020 · Modified: Sep 21, 2020 by Marissa Stevens · 18 Comments

    Gluten FreeMediterranean

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
    White Bean, Sausage and Kale Soup served in a white bowl

    White Bean, Sausage and Kale Soup is one of my favorite comfort foods! With creamy white beans, tender kale, and spicy sausage, it's a one pot meal with very little prep time, and a total time of less than an hour. Perfect for a busy weeknight or a lazy Sunday afternoon.

    white bean sausage and kale soup served in white bowls

    When you want to fill your home with a savory aroma that gets your mouth watering, this white bean soup is just the way to do it. 

    Ingredients you need for White Bean, Sausage and Kale Soup

    The components of this soup recipe offer endless options. I recommend making it the first time as written it because, I promise, it's excellent. But when you make it again, you may want to use Italian sausage (or hot Italian sausage) instead of kielbasa, or other white beans, like Great Northern beans instead of Cannellini Beans (my favorite), or toss in more veggies. And instead of drizzling with olive oil, you may want to sprinkle on parmesan cheese instead. Make it your own!

    ingredients for white bean kale and sausage soup

    Canned beans work well in this White Bean, Sausage and Kale Soup. But if you're up for it, how about cooking your own dry beans? They're economical and have a terrific texture. 

    I love to salt soak beans, cook them in the slow cooker, and bag them into 3-cup portions to store in the freezer. (You can find my method in this Tuscan White Bean Soup post). They freeze beautifully and come in handy for all kinds of recipes.

    How to Make White Bean, Sausage and Kale Soup

    Step 1: Brown kielbasa in olive oil in a soup pot; remove with a slotted spoon. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat.

    browning kielbasa

    Step 2: Cook onion and carrot until softened; add garlic and stir 1 minute more.

    cooking onion carrot and garlic

    Step 3: Add stock, crushed red pepper, thyme, bay leaf, and diced tomatoes with juice. Bring to boil. Stir in kale and cover. Let simmer 5 to 10 minutes, until kale is tender. Return sausage to soup; cook and stir until heated through.

    making White Bean Sausage and Kale Soup

    Step 4: Stir in lemon juice. Serve finished with olive oil.

    adding lemon juice and a ladle of White Bean Sausage and Kale Soup

    Recipe Video

    White Bean Sausage and Kale Soup served in a white bowl

    White Bean, Sausage and Kale Soup

    Marissa Stevens
    A hearty, deeply flavorful soup that's easy to make and serves a crowd!
    5 from 6 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10 people
    Calories 222 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 15-ounce cans cannellini beans or 3 cups cooked cannellini or Great Northern beans
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil plus more for drizzling
    • 12 ounces kielbasa or other smoked sausage, sliced ¼-inch thick
    • 1 medium yellow onion diced
    • 2 medium carrots diced, peeled if desired
    • 5 cloves garlic coarsely chopped
    • fine sea salt
    • freshly ground black pepper
    • 8 cups chicken stock
    • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 28 ounce can diced tomatoes with juice
    • 1 large bunch kale lacinato kale or curly kale, coarsely chopped, about 7 ounces
    • 1 lemon juiced

    Instructions
     

    • Heat olive oil in soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sausage; cook and stir until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer sausage to clean plate and pour off all but 1 tablespoon of fat.
    • Add onion and carrots to soup pot; season with salt and pepper. Cook and stir until onion softens and is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute more.
    • Add chicken stock, red pepper flakes, thyme, bay leaf, tomatoes with juice, and beans. Bring to boil, reduce heat. Stir in kale and cover; cook 5 to 10 minutes until kale is tender. Return sausage to soup; cook and stir until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes.
    • Stir in lemon juice; season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle into serving bowls and serve finished with a swirl of olive oil.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 222kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 11gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 698mgPotassium: 513mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 2276IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword comfort food, dinner party, gluten free
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Soup Recipes

    • Albondigas Soup served in a white bowl and photographed from overhead.
      Albondigas Soup
    • Birria Ramen in a white bowl photographed from above.
      Birria Ramen
    • Turkey and Rice Soup served in a white bowl
      Turkey and Rice Soup
    • Turkey Pot Pie Soup served in a white bowl
      Turkey Pot Pie Soup

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Comment Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Karen says

      August 21, 2021 at 9:12 am

      5 stars
      This has become my favorite soup. I sometimes use a spicy andouille or Italian sausage but keep everything else as written. Smash some of the beans to give it a creamier texture. It's so flavorful and nutritious I make it year round.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        August 21, 2021 at 10:43 am

        That's wonderful to hear, Karen! And I love that you're adding your own touches to the recipe.

        Reply
    2. Katy says

      September 21, 2020 at 3:47 pm

      I feel like I’m missing a step. Why does the cook time say 1 hr 30 min when the steps call for only about 20 minutes? And when do you put the sausage back in?

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        September 21, 2020 at 5:05 pm

        You're absolutely right, Katy! Thank you for asking about both of these - I've corrected the recipe. You should return the sausage to the soup at the end of step 3. The original cook time included cooking dry beans, but I updated the recipe using beans that are already cooked (either canned or home cooked).

        Reply
    3. Valentina says

      March 14, 2020 at 11:38 am

      5 stars
      I think the whole world want a cozy, nourishing and delicious comfort food right now. This beautiful soup checks all the boxes! And YUM! Stay well! 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 16, 2020 at 9:36 am

        I agree, Valentina! Thank you. xo

        Reply
    4. mimi rippee says

      March 13, 2020 at 2:23 pm

      I love cooking beans from scratch, and there are so many beautiful varieties. Before my daughters left home, I made sure they knew how to cook beans, and they still do. They're so economical, as well. This is really crazy. I had to cancel a trip to visit my 92 year old mother for her birthday. I already lost almost $700. on the hotel cancellation, and to call capital one and deal with the flights supposedly takes hours of waiting time. pure craziness.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 16, 2020 at 9:38 am

        I'm so sorry you had to cancel your trip, Mimi. I feel really bad for your mom too. Such a difficult time...

        And what you say about beans is so true - economical, delicious, and so versatile. 🙂

        Reply
    5. David @ Spiced says

      March 13, 2020 at 4:44 am

      5 stars
      I love sausage in soup! Just a little bit of sausage goes a long way in terms of flavoring the entire soup. I'm totally on board with this recipe, Marissa! It sounds delicious. And our days are still a little chilly here in upstate New York, so a good bowl of soup for lunch would be quite welcomed!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 16, 2020 at 9:39 am

        So true, David. It just takes a little bit of sausage to give soup SO much flavor! Stay warm there in upstate NY!

        Reply
    6. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

      March 12, 2020 at 6:48 pm

      5 stars
      I am in need of any and all heart-warming soups and meals right now, Marissa! It feels like such a crazy time we're living in. This would be just the ticket to calm the nerves 😉 Delicious!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 16, 2020 at 9:39 am

        I agree, Katherine! Thank you, my friend!

        Reply
    7. Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes says

      March 12, 2020 at 6:13 pm

      5 stars
      I absolutely adore the flavours in this beautiful soup - what a lovely combination! This is my kind of comfort food.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 16, 2020 at 9:39 am

        Thank you so much, Alexandra!

        Reply
    8. Cheyanne says

      March 12, 2020 at 2:41 pm

      5 stars
      I absolutely love a good, cozy white bean soup and this one looks seriously delicious!!! I love the kale and sausage in here!! Comforting and hearty, but nutritious at the same time! Doesn't get any better than that! I can just imagine how delicious this makes your house smell too!!! It's supposed to be icky and rainy all weekend, so I'm thinking this would hit the spot! Pinned! I'm excited to try this!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 12, 2020 at 4:09 pm

        Thanks, Cheyanne! It's supposed to snow here this weekend, so, yes! Comforting hearty soups are on the menu.

        Reply
    9. Melissa says

      March 12, 2020 at 12:23 pm

      I am so hungry right now and need some of this soup! 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        March 12, 2020 at 4:09 pm

        Wish I could send some your way, Melissa!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    The best food happens at home. I love delicious food prepared simply with fresh ingredients and that’s just what you’ll find here! You can count on me for well tested, mouthwatering recipes designed for home cooks. Learn more →

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • Facebook
    12 Recipes to Know by Heart Book Cover
    Subscribe for Free E-Cookbook

    Reader Favorites

    • Oven Roasted Crispy Pork Belly
    • lemon garlic pasta served in a white bowl
      Lemon Garlic Pasta
    • Carne-Asada thinly sliced across the grain featured
      Carne Asada Recipe
    • Shrimp Tacos served on a white oval platter with extra sauce on the side.
      Shrimp Tacos
    • Bacon Wrapped Scallops
    • Creamy Tomato Bisque
      Tomato Bisque
    • Mashed Red Potatoes photographed from above featured
      Mashed Red Potatoes
    • Grilled Lamb Chops
    • Crispy Baked Buffalo Wings
    • Rice Cooker Mexican Rice served in a gray ceramic bowl and photographed from above.
      Rice Cooker Mexican Rice

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Meet Marissa
    • Contact

    Copyright © 2022 PinchandSwirl

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Email