With the smokiness of ham and bacon as the backdrop for the assortment of beans, fresh kale, herbs, and spices, my 5-Bean Kale Soup is packed with soul-satisfying flavor.
This 5-Bean Kale Soup delivers a wallop of flavor. (All photos credit: George Graham)
As south Louisiana comes out of hibernation, kale begins showing up at markets everywhere. And when the windy March chill sends you shivering, I pull out a Graham family classic—a simple-yet-glorious bean and kale soup. Yep, bean soup. Didn’t see that coming, did you?
I was born and raised in Louisiana, but there’s a Yankee connection here. I’m going out on a limb with this recipe as I trace the history of my family tree that spreads all the way back to Detroit, Michigan circa 1941. My father and mother met in an airplane factory during WW II and helped win the war building warplanes.
They survived four icy winters with countless simmering pots of bean soup. It was warm and filling, hearty and comforting, and best of all, cheap. Rationing was a mandatory part of life during those years, and most everything was in short supply, well, except beans. My family learned to love this dish and brought it back to Louisiana in 1945, and the recipe still remains a family tradition.
My 5-Bean Kale Soup combines hearty beans with fresh kale and delivers intense, smoky flavor. This soup is packed with warmth; just one bowl wraps you up like a three-layered patchwork quilt. Give it a try, and you just might warm up to this recipe, too.
Rox finds the freshest kale at the farmers market.
- 2 strips smoked bacon, chopped
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced green bell pepper
- ½ cup chopped carrot
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 cups chopped kale, thick stems removed
- 2 quarts chicken stock
- ½ pound dried white lima beans
- ½ pound dried garbanzo beans
- ½ pound dried pinto beans
- 1 smoked ham hock
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon Acadiana Table Cajun Seasoning Blend, see recipe here
- 2 (12-ounce) cans red kidney beans
- 1 (12-ounce) can black beans
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- In a large pot with a heavy lid over medium-high heat, add the bacon and fry until browned. Into the rendered grease, add the onions, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté until the onions turn translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots, garlic, and kale, and cook for 3 minutes.
- Add the chicken stock along with the dried beans. Bring to a boil and lower the heat to a simmer. Add the ham hocks, bay leaves, and the spices and herbs. Cover the pot and let simmer until the beans are tender, about 90 minutes.
- Add the canned beans and cover and cook for another 30 minutes.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and serve with crusty French bread.
Warm up to a bowl of this flavor-filled 5-Bean Kale Soup.
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I cant see any reason to use canned beans. Put all dried beans{after washing them} together in a bowl with water and a lot of crushed garlic,and let them soak for one night.
You will taste the difference.
Hey Leppens-
Sounds delicious! Thanks for the comment.