White Bean Soup with Chorizo, Kale, and Roasted Garlic

Amy Hand

Amy Hand

Amy worked as the head pastry chef at multiple restaurants in South Africa. She now shares her professional insights about cooking and kitchen tools here at The Skillful Cook.

Updated

This white bean soup is an irresistible combination of smoky, spicy, and savory goodness. Make it once, and it’ll be on repeat in your kitchen!
Rate this recipe!

A warm bowl of white bean soup is the perfect comfort food on a cold winter day. This one is enhanced with nutritious kale and flavorful chorizo to make it even more special.

Along with the spicy chorizo, and nutrient-packed kale, the deep caramelized flavor of roasted garlic adds a richness that regular toasted garlic lacks.

A warm bowl of white bean soup

Topped with Parmesan and a squeeze of lime, it’s hearty, comforting, and perfect for any day of the week!

We love using this dish to meal prep so we can enjoy this soup for a few days in a row or over time with portions taken from the freezer.

we can enjoy this soup for a few days in a row

Why you will love this White Bean Soup with Chorizo recipe…

  • Big, bold flavors– The meaty chorizo and roasted garlic create a perfect savory balance with the subtle white beans and pungent kale.
  • Nutrient-packed– The kale is full of nutrition while the white beans have their own health benefits to add to the mix.
  • Easy but impressive– Roasting the garlic whole elevates this dish with minimal effort which your guests will certainly appreciate.
  • Family-friendly- This is the kind of dish that the whole family can enjoy, even the little ones.
  • Simple ingredients- Apart from the fresh kale and chorizo, you can make this dish from pantry staples.
Why you will love this White Bean Soup with Chorizo recipe

White Bean Soup with Chorizo, Kale, and Roasted Garlic

This white bean soup is an irresistible combination of smoky, spicy, and savory goodness. Make it once, and it’ll be on repeat in your kitchen!
Rate this recipe!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4
Calories 333 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 head garlic
  • 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
  • 8 oz spicy chorizo, sliced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 (15oz can) white beans, drained and rinsed
  • 3 cups kale, stems removed and roughly chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh lime juice (about ½ lime)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: Crusty bread for serving

Instructions
 

Ingredients

Step 1- Roast the Garlic

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Slice the top off a head of garlic to expose the cloves. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast for 35–40 minutes until soft and golden.
  • Once cooled, squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins and set aside.

Step 2- Sauté the Chorizo and Vegetables

  • Heat the remaining olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chorizo slices and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring, until browned and fragrant. Remove the chorizo and set aside.
  • In the same pot, sauté the onion, carrot, and celery for 5–6 minutes until softened. Stir in smoked paprika for a smoky kick.

Step 3- Build the Soup Base

  • Add the roasted garlic, half the white beans and broth to the pot. Use an immersion blender to blend until smooth, or transfer in batches to a blender. Then add the other half of the white beans.
  • Bring the soup to a simmer and stir in the kale. Cook for 5–7 minutes, or until the kale is tender.

Step 4- Add the Chorizo and Finish

  • Stir the cooked chorizo back into the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Squeeze in the lime juice and sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and creamy.

Nutrition

Calories 333kcal (17%)Carbohydrates 12g (4%)Protein 16g (32%)Fat 25g (38%)Saturated Fat 8g (50%)Polyunsaturated Fat 1gMonounsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 51mg (17%)Sodium 1125mg (49%)Potassium 310mg (9%)Fiber 2g (8%)Sugar 4g (4%)Vitamin A 7242IU (145%)Vitamin C 22mg (27%)Calcium 192mg (19%)Iron 2mg (11%)
Keyword White Bean Soup
Tried this recipe?Let us know if you liked it in the comments below!

Serving Suggestions

Top the soup with more grated Parmesan and a pinch of black pepper to finish it off. Serve with warm, crusty bread for dipping.

If you want to try making your own bread to serve with it here are some recipes to try out:

🧑‍🍳 Expert Tips

  • Roasting extra garlic hack. Add an extra head of garlic to roast. Squeeze it out into a jar with a tight-fitting lid and keep it in the fridge for adding to other recipes!
  • Change out the kale. Swap the kale with spinach or Swiss chard for a subtle change.
  • Texture control. Add the beans before blending if you want it to be completely smooth.
  • Bean switch. Try this dish with cannellini beans if you have those on hand.
Top the soup with more grated Parmesan

Storage Suggestions

  • To store- Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • To freeze- Place in freeze-safe containers or Ziploc bags and label with the date. Freeze for up to 6 months.
  • To reheat- Place in a pot and heat gently on the stove on medium heat until the soup bubbles.

White Bean Soup FAQs

What is the thickener in a white bean soup?

The blended white beans are the thickener in this soup though some other recipes might also use potatoes.

Do I drain white beans for soup?

Yes, it’s important to drain and rinse the beans before adding them to the soup.

Amy Hand
About the author
After finding the chef life a little too high-paced, Amy decided to take her cooking skills and use them to teach others through food writing. She uses her knowledge as a pastry chef and experience as a head chef to write articles that are engaging and helpful while being as entertaining as possible.

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