Name: Vegetable Bean Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1/2 cup onions (diced); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1/2 cup carrots (diced); 1/2 cup celery (diced); 2 cups gold potatoes (cubed (or substitute red or white potatoes)); 1 can white beans ((15 ounces) rinsed and drained (1 1/2 cups)); 1 can diced tomatoes ((15 ounces) with the juice); 8 cups low sodium vegetable broth; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1 bay leaf; 1 teaspoon salt-free seasoning blend; 2 cups kale ((any variety) chopped); salt (to taste); pepper (to taste)

Vegetable Bean Soup is hearty and flavorful, made with potatoes, white beans, and kale. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free, and easy to prepare.

Sometimes the best recipes are the simplest.

They can be made with everyday ingredients you usually keep on hand, and they take very little time to make.

And if you don’t have the ingredients, you can easily make substitutions with what you have.

Vegetable Bean Soup is one of those recipes.

The inspiration for Vegetable Bean Soup came from reading Dr. John McDougall’s advice.

You may be familiar with his works such as The Starch Solution and The Healthiest Diet on the Planet.

And you probably remember him from the film Forks Over Knives.

I’ve had a renewed interest in his teachings since I joined a Facebook group for people following his WOE (Way of Eating).

Some of the recipes I already enjoy fit well with the McDougall diet, such as Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, Veggies Burrito Bowls with Sweet Potato Noodles, and White Bean Dip.

I decided to prepare this Vegetable Bean Soup based on what I’ve learned about the McDougall Starch Solution diet.

And while I admit I probably won’t follow this plan to the letter, I am enjoying reading about how healthy people have become who do. Some have reversed past health issues, and most have lost considerable weight.

If you’re here reading this, I’m sure you agree that a whole-food, plant-based diet is the healthiest way to eat.

Dr. McDougall encourages us to base our diet around starchy carbohydrates such as potatoes, rice, and quinoa.

At the same time, oil should be eliminated. Instead, fats are obtained from the source, such as olives, avocados, nuts, and seeds. For those wanting to lose weight, these fats should be minimized.

And while salt doesn’t need to be left out entirely, it should be added to the surface of foods after tasting them. So instead of cooking with salt, keep the salt shaker on the dining table instead of in the kitchen.

Vegetable Bean Soup is delicious as a starter or an entree.

I really like it for lunch either on its own or with a green salad. You could also serve it with some crusty whole-grain bread. It’s also a great way to start dinner and would be perfect with pasta or lentil meatloaf muffins.

I used gold potatoes, but you can also use red or white potatoes.

And if you don’t have Cannellini or Great Northern Beans, try it with kidney beans or chickpeas (garbanzo beans).

You can also swap out the vegetables for your favorites. If you don’t want to use kale, try chard or spinach. Or add some broccoli or green beans.

And if you’re looking for more delicious soup recipes, check these out:

Now let’s make Vegetable Bean Soup!