This cozy white bean and butternut squash soup with kale is full of garlic, herbs, flavorful stock, and good-for-you veggies. Drizzled with olive or garlic oil, a hunk of sourdough tucked alongside to sop up any leftover broth, this is a perfect cozy fall/winter meal to make all season long. Gluten free and vegan-friendly.
A cozy white bean and butternut squash soup
… because we could all use a little comfort food this time of year.
This cozy white bean and butternut squash soup is ultimate, soul-warming, nourishing goodness. The pot is full of garlic and herbs and Fall veggies and good stock, and it’s no wonder I keep going back to variations of this recipe, over and over again.
It’s the sort of cozy, cold-weather soup that I crave all season long, but especially right now. And I’m guessing many of you do too.
what you’ll love about this veggie soup
This white bean and butternut soup begins in a predictable – and lovely – way: with good stuff like sautéed onion, fresh garlic, and aromatic herbs.
First, I quickly caramelize the butternut squash in a bit of olive oil, adding flavor and texture, before the veggies simmer away in the garlicky, herby, lemony soup base. Using a rich chicken or vegetable stock is most important, as a bulk of the flavor comes from long-simmering broth, either store-bought or homemade (my preference).
Also added to the mix – fresh lemon juice, baby kale leaves, and white beans (I’m a fan of cannelini or navy beans), which work so well in soups like this. And in less than an hour, the result is a healthy and hearty, wonderfully flavorful soup to cozy up with on a chilly day. Happy cooking!!
Ingredients in this butternut squash and white bean soup
This cozy butternut squash soup with white beans and kale is easy and healthy and full of flavor. You likely have all of the ingredients in your pantry right now. Because this soup is so simple, it’s the perfect time to really go for the best quality ingredients, but especially when it comes to the broth. If you have homemade stock or broth on hand, now is its time to shine. Here’s what you’ll need:
- butternut squash: of course! Healthy and vibrant squash gives this vegetarian soup a hearty boost.
- olive oil and butter: we’ll use both for extra layers of flavor. For a plant based version you can simply use all olive oil or a vegan butter.
- onion and garlic: add tons of flavor to the soup broth.
- herbs: aromatic rosemary, thyme, and oregano. You can also use fresh!
- lemon: fresh lemon juice adds a lovely brightness and acid. I always reach for Meyer lemons for a bit more sweetness when available.
- chicken or vegetable stock: use a really good, rich stock for the best overall flavor. Homemade is even better if you have it.
- salt and pepper: just a pinch of each to intensify all the other flavors.
- cannellini beans: white beans are naturally creamy, and add heartiness to this otherwise veggie-filled soup. Use your favorite white bean here (cannellini, navy, great northern, etc.).
- kale: adds freshness and nutritional value. I prefer to use baby kale or roughly chopped Lacinato kale, but feel free to substitute your favorite greens.
Find all the exact measurements and recipe instructions below.
Butternut Squash and White Bean Soup: FAQs
Sure! While the recipe is written for sautéing the squash in the pan (one pot for the win!), in practice, I make this soup both ways. Roasting adds a bit more caramelization and is a great way to repurpose extra roasted veggies. After peeling and seeding the butternut squash, cut it into large chunks or bite sized cubes, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast at 400℉ for 25-30 minutes until golden and tender.
Yes! When the soup is cool enough to handle, ladle it into glass canning jars or other freezer safe containers, leaving about 1/2 of space at the top for expansion. Place in the refrigerator until chilled, then freeze for up to 3 months. If I’m planning to freeze a batch of this soup, for the best flavor and texture, I always wait to add the kale or other greens until I’m ready to reheat and serve.
Drizzled with good olive or garlic oil, a hunk of sourdough tucked alongside to sop up any leftover broth, and this is a perfect cozy fall/winter meal. It’s a hearty soup as is, thanks to the butternut squash and beans, but for more bulk you could add pasta, grains, or some chicken or sausage. Or serve it with a simple crisp green salad. If you like spice, finishing with some red pepper flakes would be lovely. So would a tiny splash of champagne vinegar. Or a sprinkling of fresh parmesan.
And be sure to try these other cozy Fall soup recipes too:
- Butternut squash noodle soup
- Lemony kale and white bean soup
- Simple weeknight chicken ramen
- Butternut squash, apple, and fennel soup
- Ginger noodle soup with Swiss chard
If you make this butternut squash and white bean soup recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram with the hashtag #forkknifeswoon and leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked it! ★★★★★ Star ratings are especially helpful because they help others find my recipes too. xo, Laura
Tuscan White Bean and Butternut Squash Soup
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This cozy white bean and butternut squash soup is full of garlic, herbs, flavorful stock, and good-for-you Fall veggies. Gluten free and vegan-friendly.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and large-diced
- 1 large yellow or sweet onion, minced
- 1–2 tsp fresh garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp unsalted butter ¹
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp dried rosemary
- 1/8 tsp dried oregano
- 1 small lemon, juiced ²
- 4 cups (32 oz) rich chicken or vegetable stock
- kosher salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 (15 oz) can cooked cannelini beans, drained but not rinsed
- 1–1/2 cups baby kale leaves ³
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed stock pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add the butternut squash, and cook, turning occasionally, until just beginning to caramelize and soften, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer the butternut squash to a plate.
- Add the onion to the pot, and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, and just beginning to brown.
- Add the garlic, and cook for another minute or two.
- Add the butter, and as it melts, stir in the herbs. Let cook for another minute or two until the onions are lightly golden.
- Add the butternut squash back to the pot, along with the lemon juice and stock, and stir to combine.
- Cover, and bring the stock just to a boil, then turn the heat down to low, and let simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Add the white beans and kale leaves, and continue to simmer until warmed through, about 3-5 minutes. If using a more delicate green, such as spinach, add right before serving. Serve warm with crusty bread. Enjoy!!
Notes
¹ Make it vegan: use all olive oil, omit the butter completely, or use vegan butter (such as Earth Balance spread)
² One small lemon should yield 2-3 Tbsp of juice. Adjust according to your tastes. If you can find them, Meyer lemons are my favorite choice. They’re in season in Winter and add a welcome flavor and brightness to the soup.
³ Feel free to substitute spinach, Swiss chard, or your favorite tender green for the kale.
- Category: Soup, Savory
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: white bean and butternut squash soup, white bean soup, butternut squash soup, tuscan, fall vegetable, easy, healthy, vegetarian, vegan
Originally published November 9, 2016. Recipe notes updated September 1, 2021.
Love this soup! It’s become a regular in the rotation. I assume it’s meant to be a main dish? What protein would you add for more protein? I don’t want to add more beans. Thanks.
★★★★★
Roasted the squash, onions and garlic w/ all the spices. Substituted a small tomato for lemon juice. Added a little sugar for balance. Used 2 tablespoons of fish sauce with 2 cups of water instead of chicken sauce. Added kale with beans, cooked 10 minutes before roasted veggies. More olive oil drizzled over roasted veggies instead of butter. Added a couple of shakes of smoked paprika.
Yummy
Thanks, Robert!!
This soup has made me delirious!! So gooooood! There we go!
★★★★★
Ha! Thanks so much, Chrissy!! So happy it’s a hit 🙂
I crave this soup!! It’s sooooo hood!
★★★★★
Sorry I mean sooooo hood!
I am cooking this soup as I type. I from tasting I already can tell this will be wonderful. A few notes for some of the comments I saw:
1. The flavor of the butternut by itself could affect final flavor. If it’s not ripe enough flavor could be lackluster.
2. I pulled a little bit of broth and added a tiny bit of lemon juice to it to test the lemon flavor. I found it dulled out the flavors for me so I added lemon zest to the soup instead. Also, the squash I had was a little past prime and a bit dull in flavor so that could have affected it as well. If you do opt for lemon juice you will need to up the salt and possibly other spices.
3. I would absolutely use homemade broth but I am an admitted snob when it comes to that, lol.
I still think this is an excellent recipe and can’t wait to have a bowl. Thank you for sharing….
Another comment because I forgot to rate the recipe…
I also used frozen kale because sometimes I can be lazy. Lol
★★★★★
Hi Tracy! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment and suggestions!!
One of the best recipes EVER! I used homemade beef bone broth and substituted fresh thyme and rosemary for the dried. It was absolutely delicious and so comforting on a cold rainy night – thank you!
★★★★★
Thanks so much, Angie!!
This soup is warm and bright – Perfect for a winter night. Delicious!
★★★★★
Thank you so much, Allison!!
I’ve been making this soup for two years – I know the recipe by heart and it is my absolute favorite. This time of year I make it once a week without fail. I just went looking for the actual link because I’m not feeling great & my husband is planning to make it tonight and I wanted him to have the whole recipe rather than me dictating it from the couch. I don’t remember reading the actual post when I first found this but I just read it and now I can say I love this recipe even more! We’re in a much better place now! Yay. I love this recipe and it’s such a part of our lives! Thank you for it!
Thank you so much, Kelly!! I’m thrilled this soup has become part of your regular rotation! And hope you’re feeling better 🙂
After reading the comments I doubled the spices. I did not have a lemon so used half of a lime. I also had 1/2 cup on coconut milk left over so added it. Since I was using some coconut milk I replaced all oil with coconut oil. I mashed the squash before adding the beans. I was pleased with the results.
★★★★★
Thanks, Ann!! The coconut milk sounds like a yummy addition 🙂
I needed this post and this recipe today. Almost a full four years and I am angrier and more sad than I was in 2016. I don’t care that it’s humid and sticky today, my body needs comfort food!
★★★★★
As written, this was pretty flat in terms of flavor and needed a lot more umami. Maybe it was my commercial chicken stock? I ended up blending some of the beans and squash to thicken and increase flavor, then when that wasn’t sufficient, added some miso. The lemon juice was a bit much, and I think it’s because I used the wrong size of lemon–so a more specific amount of juice would help. Ended up going all the way to adding some sausage to boost umami, and it was still a bit too lemony even though I love lemon.
★★
I felt the same as Laura James’ review. The soup tasted flat and the lemon was too powerful. I would use less lemon the next time . My lemon must have been too large. I only had sweet potatoes on hand so I substituted them for the squash. I also thickened some of the soup with my miso blender and this helped greatly. I had to add extra vegetable stock and salt and pepper. I also threw in some brown rice that I had in the freezer. After making these adjustments, the soup was much better.
★★★
I just came upon your recipe and election thoughts. Three years later I’m not in a better place. The difference between then and know is I know exactly how bad it is. I”ll make the soup today.
Hope you enjoy this cozy soup 🙂
Excellent! Mine took linger cause I used fresh beans. My husbabd lived it! I added vegan chorizo dausage! Yummy
★★★★★
Thank you, Adelaida!! That sounds delish 🙂
Fabulous! I made with homemade turkey bone broth and added some chopped turkey. Wonderful on a cold day.
Thank you!! I bet it was incredible with that homemade broth!
Delicious recipe! Very nice combo flavors of earthy squash and beans with almost creamy texture and notes of citrus. Vegetarian, easy to convert to vegan. Versatile. I added a can of rinsed and drained black beans, along with the cannelini beans. Also used Swiss chard leaves instead of kale because that’s what I had on hand. Comes together in an hour. I covered the pot in between stirring the chunks of squash to facilitate cooking the pieces through.
★★★★★
Thank you so much, Pam!!
Wonderful soup and wonderful sentiment. I whole-heartedly agree with the shock and disappointment you felt. There are many more of us and we MUST STAND STRONG in the face of this unconscionable choice of candidates. It is a moral imperative.
In the meantime let’s remember to be kind toward neighbors, share our bounty, and make delicious healing food for the soothing of our spirits. Xoxo
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment, and so happy you enjoyed the soup!
I love this not only for your recipe, but especially for your lead in. I am viewing this 3 years later, and who knew we would need this soup and commentary even more now.
★★★★★
It’s crazy to look back now, isn’t it? So happy you love the recipe!
This was really good! A little more time consuming than I expected with the mincing of the onions and browning of the squash, but both were worth it. A unique and tasty recipe the hubs said I “should definitely make again” 🙂 thank you for the recipe!
★★★★★
I had some old apples so I tossed those in and mashed the apples and squash after it was all cooked, then added kale and beans. Very good.
Hi there—I love this recipe! Any idea how I could convert it for the Instant Pot?
Wow. So great!
★★★★★
The recipe was delicious. I swapped out the kale for spinach and wanted to add some sort of sausage, but I couldn’t find any that sounded right, so I added meat balls. I LOVED it! My family liked it, but not loved. I have a savory appetite and I love soups…all soups. I was looking for a savory butternut squash soup because I had a single BN squash from my garden. Perfect!
★★★★★
Thank you for the recipe! I don’t share your political perspective but I appreciate your expressing it and channeling your energy into nutritious, healing cooking & sharing it with the world. Blessings!
I made this last night and it was incredible! I used a combination of vegetable and chicken style stock (vegan friendly!) and was blown away by the simple yet punchy flavours.
★★★★★
Came across this recipe (will be making for lunch tomorrow). Thank you for posting and acknowledging one of the worst days for all Americans who felt such hope for a giant leap forward only to be gut punched by the outcome. Sadly it was the first of many gut punches delivered in the last two years. Just thank you.
Let’s hope next week will give us some hope back 🙂 Hope you enjoyed the soup!
I have to think yes! To the kindred spirits. I am so sorry for the gloating trumpeters-I will never forget that gutted feeling the next day. The only positive to come from all of this backward motion is how I found such a tribe of hopeful beings. I made the soup today and smile as I thought of a new soul I’d connected with! Nov 6 is coming-and this soup is delicious!
Let’s make the 6th count 🙂 So happy you enjoyed the recipe!
coming across this almost 2 years after the tragedy… and, wow, was is/is it ever! i remember how devastated i was. not shocked, however. now i’m just tired of being angry. and thank heavens for the refuge of the kitchen! i recently bought an instant pot, but being a “newbie,” i’m not sure if this recipe could be converted, so to speak… ? i can’t wait to try it either way! it’s 5 stars just reading it! thanks for the recipe & solidarity!
★★★★★
What are the chances we would both come across this on the same day?! I spent the morning canvassing and had the privilege of hearing Tim Kaine speak. I was filled with hope! I can’t wait to make this while dreaming of Nov. 6.
kindred spirits, yes?! there are no coincidences… only convergences of will, intent, and experiences!!! fingers crossed & prayers can help too! 😘
i remember i was on a walk *the morning after*, and some “trumpettes” walked past me hooting & hollering with glee, and i just couldn’t help myself, i was so raw, i made a snarky comment… in minneapolis, it hadn’t been common to encounter any of his fans. but, of course, this was simply fodder for their ignorant & deficient mental capacity, and they mocked me! it was crushing when already reduced to a minute insect. wonder where those awful women are now?! like many, could have “seen the light”… or, then again, not.
Cooking and being in the kitchen is always my happy spot. Thank you for the solidarity and I hope you enjoy the recipe! 🙂
This recipe is wonderful! The lemon really brightens the flavors. I used fresh herbs because I had them on hand. Next time I think I’ll add extra kale because I like my greens.
★★★★★
Thank you so much, Megan!! I’m a fan of adding lots of herbs and greens too 🙂
Excellent flavor and texture. The squash just melted in my mouth. This is a winner!
This soup is incredible! I left out the rosemary & thyme because I didn’t have any on hand and it was great! I can’t wait to make it again!
Thanks so much, Jessica!! So happy to hear it! 🙂
Do you have the nutritional information?
Hi, Missy! I don’t provide nutrition info, but there are lots of online calculators you can plug the ingredients into 🙂 Enjoy!
I added cubed cooked ham & swapped the dried herbs for fresh ones and it was AMAZING! Not often my family asks me to make the same thing the next day — and they don’t even LIKE squash! This was a huge success & will be part of our regular soup menu for Fall.
★★★★★
Oh, I’m so happy to hear that! The ham sounds great with the white beans, and I’m glad to help convert some squash haters… 😉 Thanks, Larisa!!
Hosting an Italian dinner this coming weekend for some fellow Hillary supporters (we all worked our butts off), and am going to serve this soup as a first course….I’ll be sure to tell your story. Quick question: can I make this the day ahead? Or will the squash get squishy?
Thanks very much, and keep the faith! Midterms will be coming up sooner than we think.
I’m of the belief that soup gets better the day after, so I think you’ll be fine. If you’re planning to reheat, I might cook the squash slightly al dente to begin with, and depending on whether you use kale or spinach, you might still add that the day of, so it’s tender but not overdone. Thank you for your hard work and support!
♥Thank you for your speedy reply!
Hi, Laura, just to let you know that I made the soup yesterday morning, left it on low all day in the crockpot, added the spinach ribbons just before serving, and that it was sensational. Had to use butter beans rather than the kind you suggested, since there were none to be had in my rural stores, but no matter. It was sublime. Just loved the fried squash…I’d eat that all by itself even though I never realized how hard it is to peel an uncooked squash. Fun experience, though. Thanks again!
The butter beans sound wonderful as well, and I’m with you on the squash – I always sneak a few bites before it goes into the broth. They are a pain to peel! So happy you enjoyed this one – thanks so much, Joye!
Laura, Thank you for standing up and sharing, your words are perfectly and beautifully spoken.
Thank you so much, Leanne
♥All of my closest friends, my husband and I are all still in shock, as we were so sure that America would not choose someone so divisive. After reading an email from Anita Moorjani this morning, I realize that all of us were coming from a place of fear, no matter what side we were on. It is time to gather our inner strengths, to stand together to make this nation one we are proud to live in and to share with others. Though it may seem we have lost all the ground we gained and are starting over, this is the time we were born into. We can gather together, strengthen ourselves and each other to begin again. We can choose to open to new challenges and rise to meet them. I still believe that the best potential of humankind has always been in us and always will be. Let’s move forward confident in our abilities to keep our inner lights burning strong.
I love that you cooked! So positive an action, and this is a wonderful recipe. Thank you for sharing yourself with us.
It’s sure been a tough week. Thank you so much for your comment and wise words. It’s clear that at the same time many of us feel heartbroken and fearful by the results, many others felt like they had been left behind, their voices not being heard. I hope we can find more common ground going forward, and for me that begins around the table, as many of us know, and show love through food. Thank you so much for reading, Wendy!
♥Definitely a heart-breaking moment in our country’s history for the many of us who believed in the power of community that Hillary’s presidency offered. I grieve what is sure to be the loss of civil rights and women’s rights. And I grieve for my daughter and my some-day granddaughters, for what might have been.
Laura, I appreciate your thoughts, and your return to the kitchen to cook, to create and to re-group.
★★★★★
Thank you for your comment, Louise. Still reeling.
♥