The Soup I Get Asked About Every Time (And Why It Matters So Much to Me)
Food has taken on a deeper meaning in our home over the past few years.
Healing, energy, clarity, resilience — I’ve seen firsthand how much what we eat matters. Because of that, it’s a huge priority for me to make most of our meals at home, using real ingredients that support our bodies well.
That said… real life is also very full.
Between a full-time job, kids’ sports schedules, a new puppy, travel, and everything in between, meals have to be easy. I need food that delivers good nutrients, solid protein, and lots of greens without requiring hours in the kitchen.
This soup checks every box.
It’s one of those recipes my family genuinely loves, I feel great about us eating, and it’s simple enough to make on a busy weeknight. And without fail—every time I make it—I get asked for the recipe.
So after making it last week in Charleston—where it was officially a requested dish—and remembering that I served it at our Fall Goal Setting Retreat for our leadership team, I found myself sharing it with friends and family. That’s when I realized: if I’m sharing it with them, I should be sharing it with you all too!
Christina’s Kale & White Bean Soup
This is my cozy, flexible take on a kale and white bean soup that gets better the longer it simmers. The Parmesan rind melts into the broth, the rosemary adds warmth, and it somehow tastes even better the next day.
1 red onion, chopped
1 bunch celery, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
Chopped carrots (to taste — I’m generous)
6 cups vegetable broth
Optional swap: bone broth (or a more gelatinous option) for extra protein
1 large bunch kale
Pre-chopped, bagged kale is my go-to for ease
1–2 additional cups broth (depending on how much kale you add)
1 Parmesan rind (with a healthy chunk of cheese still on it — don’t skip this)
Fresh rosemary sprigs
2 cans white beans, drained and rinsed
Salt & pepper, to taste
Estimated Nutrition Information
(Per serving, assuming ~6 servings total. These are approximate values.)
Vegetarian Version (Vegetable Broth + Beans)
Calories: ~330–360
Protein: ~15–17g
Fiber: ~9–11g
Healthy fats: from avocado oil & Parmesan
Key nutrients:
Iron & folate (white beans, kale)
Vitamins A, C & K (kale, carrots)
Calcium (Parmesan)
This version is deeply nourishing, plant-forward, and incredibly satisfying while still feeling light.
Protein-Boosted Version (Bone Broth + Shredded Chicken)
(Includes bone broth + ~3–4 oz shredded chicken per serving)
Calories: ~420–460
Protein: ~28–32g
Fiber: ~9–11g
Additional benefits:
Collagen & amino acids from bone broth
Increased satiety and muscle-supporting protein
Because this soup gets better with time and stores well, I’ll sometimes make two batches—one of the original version for myself (pescatarian) and one with additional animal protein for my family. This is my go-to version for Graeme and the girls during especially busy or physically demanding weeks, when they need extra staying power.
How We Love to Serve It
When we have fresh homemade sourdough, this soup absolutely needs it on the side.
At our Fall Goal Setting Retreat, I paired it with artisan grilled cheeses, and it’s now a forever favorite:
Organic sourdough slices
Butter (generously)
A mix of cheeses, fruits, or even meats
Cooked low and slow until golden and melty
My favorites:
Cheddar + thin apple slices
Brie + pear slices
Cozy, elevated, and nostalgic in the best way.
For me, nourishing meals aren’t just about what we eat — they’re also about what we cook with and how we clean up afterward. I made this soup using my go-to Caraway ceramic-coated pans, which are non-toxic, easy to cook with, and honestly make cleanup feel almost too easy. Leftovers go straight into Caraway’s glass storage containers, which I love for keeping soups fresh (and visible — because if I can’t see it, it doesn’t exist). I haven't had as much luck with the Caraway Utensil set so I would not recommend that (we always promise to tell you about only the things we really use and love around here!), but I do love and recommend this glass cutting board and these cooking utensils.
A Note on Lower-Toxic Choices (From Our Purely Organized Team)
One thing I deeply value as I continue learning about cleaner, lower-toxic living is having experts I trust to pressure-test my choices. I shared this post with our Purely Organized team, and they offered a few thoughtful insights worth passing along — because transparency always matters here.
Glass cutting boards are a great non-toxic option, but they can be hard on knives. If that’s something you care about, titanium cutting boards may be a knife-friendlier alternative. I haven’t personally tested one yet, but it’s an option our team has been researching.
Bone broth matters. Some brands (like Bare Bones) contain citric acid, which can sometimes be synthetically derived using mold-based processes that may bother sensitive individuals. Because brands don’t always specify sourcing, safer alternatives include Kettle & Fire or Fond Bone Broth (which is more gelatinous, comes in glass, and is a bit of a splurge).
When it comes to stainless steel utensils, not all stainless is created equal. If the grade isn’t specified, it’s hard to assess quality. Our team often looks for 18/10 stainless steel for durability and peace of mind. There are some beautiful, more elegant options out there — though, as always, we recommend choosing what aligns best with your needs and lifestyle.
This is exactly the kind of guidance our Purely Organized service exists to provide — helping clients make informed, realistic, lower-toxic choices for both how their homes are organized and what they use every day, without overwhelm or perfection pressure.
If you’re curious to learn more about how we support clients on this journey, you can explore our Purely Organized service below.
The real MVP in my kitchen is Branch Basics. I use the Multi-Purpose blend to wash my vegetables before cooking, clean my counters and cutting boards during prep, and tackle the post-dinner cleanup — truly, almost everything. If you’re curious how one product can handle stains, fruit and veggie washing, kitchen surfaces, and even floors, you can read more about exactly how I use Branch Basics in my home here. I’ve even cleaned wine stains from my Oushak rug with it!
This soup is one of those meals that supports your body and your life — nourishing, unfussy, and easy enough to come together even on the fullest days.
If you make it, I’d love to hear how you serve it or what little twist you add to make it your own
xo,
Christina
P.S. I’ll include a few affiliate links for the items I use and love — but my hope is that the real inspiration comes from the activity itself: showing up with intention, embracing beauty in the everyday, and weaving joy into even the simplest routines.