White Bean and Escarole Soup
Fragrant garlic, tender escarole, and creamy beans in a cozy, lemony broth.
There’s something timeless about a pot of white bean and escarole soup simmering away in the kitchen. It’s rustic yet elegant, comforting yet fresh, and it manages to feel like both a cozy winter bowl and a light spring meal. This Italian-inspired classic is all about balance—creamy beans and silky greens mingling together in a flavorful broth with just a hint of brightness from lemon.
Soups like this are proof that you don’t need fancy ingredients to create something deeply nourishing. White beans bring their natural creaminess without the need for heavy cream, while escarole adds tender greens that are softer and milder than kale but more flavorful than spinach. A squeeze of lemon at the end ties it all together, waking up the flavors and making the soup taste fresh and vibrant.
Whether you enjoy it with crusty whole-grain bread, a sprinkle of Parmesan, or all on its own, this soup is a recipe worth keeping in your regular rotation. It’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner but special enough to share with friends. Plus, it reheats beautifully, making it a meal prep champion.
Nutrition Notes
White Beans
White beans (such as cannellini) are rich in plant-based protein and fiber, which help keep you full and support healthy digestion. They’re also a good source of iron, magnesium, and folate—nutrients that play a role in energy production and heart health. Their slow-digesting carbohydrates provide steady energy without spiking blood sugar.
Escarole
Escarole, a member of the chicory family, is a leafy green that’s slightly bitter but mellows beautifully when cooked. It’s packed with vitamins A, C, and K, along with folate and fiber. Escarole is especially high in antioxidants, which help fight oxidative stress in the body. Its unique phytonutrients are linked to supporting liver health and digestion.
Tip: Your liver loves bitter foods! Bitter foods do more than wake up your taste buds—they also wake up your digestion. By stimulating bitter taste receptors in both the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, these foods spark the release of saliva, stomach acid, and bile, which are key for breaking down food and absorbing nutrients. They can even enhance peristalsis, the natural wave-like motion of the digestive tract, making digestion more efficient.
Bone Broth
Bone broth isn’t just flavorful—it’s also mineral-rich and provides small amounts of collagen and amino acids like glycine and proline, which support joint and gut health. While the protein content varies by brand or homemade method, bone broth is generally lower in calories but adds depth of flavor and extra nourishment that water or stock can’t quite match.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a surprising powerhouse in this recipe. Besides brightening the flavor, it’s an excellent source of vitamin C, which supports immune health and helps your body absorb iron from plant-based sources like white beans. That squeeze of citrus also contributes natural antioxidants and adds a refreshing finish that keeps the soup from feeling heavy.
White Bean and Escarole Soup
Equipment
Ingredients
- olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound escarole, cleaned and chopped
- ¼ tsp salt
- 4 cups bone broth, low sodium preferred
- 1 can cannellini beans, 15 oz can, drained and rinsed, can also use Great Northern Beans
- ½ lemon
Soup Toppings
- parmesan cheese, grated or shredded
- olive oil
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Warm a Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat and add a light swirl of olive oil to coat the bottom.
- Add the garlic and sauté for 15-20 seconds. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.
- Stir in the chopped escarole and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt.
- Add in the bone broth and white beans. Cover the pot and let the soup simmer gently for about 10 minutes, until the beans are heated through.
- Just before serving, squeeze the juice of ½ lemon over the soup and stir.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Ladle into bowls, and top with a swirl of olive oil and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese.
Notes
Nutrition per Serving
Nutrition information is an estimate for general guidance only. Variations in ingredients, brands, or calculation methods may affect the actual values.