A healthy, delicious recipe for Tuscan White Bean Soup also known as Ribollita – made with Cannellini beans, lacinato kale, and vegetables, drizzled with a Lemon Rosemary Garlic Oil. Hearty, nourishing, and easily vegan-Adaptable. (With a Video.)
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This day will never come again. ~Merton
This hearty flavorful Tuscan White Bean Soup, called Ribollita, originates from hilltop villages throughout Tuscany where, during the Middle Ages, hungry, hard-working peasants who served table-side to their wealthy landowners, would pocket the leftover crusts and crumbs and bits of meat after abundant feasts and add these to their soups and stews at home.
Ribollitta translates to “re-boiled”.
Nothing was wasted. Traditionally, it’s a big pot of soup made with simple garden vegetables like onions, carrots, celery, kale, tomatoes and cannellini beans (or white beans) in a flavorful broth, thickened with bread, then reheated and eaten several days in row, getting better and better each day.
White Bean Soup (Ribolitta) | 50-sec video
Why I love this recipe
This recipe is just so wholesome and cozy and full of so much flavor. A meal unto itself! It’s a perfect winter soup that can be made vegan or vegetarian – the pancetta is totally optional and can be omitted altogether if vegan or vegetarian.
How to elevate White Bean Soup
- For extra depth of flavor, add a bit of whole, Parmesan rind to the simmering soup, which will give it amazing flavor.
- To me, what really elevates this recipe is the “finishing oil” – a drizzle of olive oil infused with lemon zest, garlic and rosemary which gives this sometimes somber soup a delicious brightness.
- Serve it with or over Crispy Sourdough Toast– like you see here in our Brothy Beans Recipe!
How to serve Ribollita
Serve Ribollita with crusty bread to mop up all the tasty flavors, and a drizzle of Lemony Rosemary oil.
It’s hearty enough for dinner, just on its own, and gets better and better each day…so I like making a big pot of this and eating it throughout the week.
Expert Tips
To thicken the soup, you can blend a cup of the beans into a puree, or add torn pieces of day-old bread into the soup itself, cooking the bread down. It will add a delicious heartiness.
However personally, I’m a broth fan, so I leave this brothy and un-thickened so there are more juices to dip the crusty bread in while eating. Of course, this is a personal preference, so do as you like.
On the homefront: Several years ago now, my group of girlfriends and I took a trip to Tuscany together. After years of planning, saving and dreaming, the time came when we were finally there, in a little hilltop village, soaking up all the Tuscan sunshine, wine and food we could handle.
Time seemed to slow way down, the hillsides were golden and glittery, so much beauty and detail to absorb.
There is something truly special about making the decision to go somewhere, and then to actually go. Life is so short. I feel it getting shorter every single day, and I guess I just want to impress upon you to do the things you’ve always dreamed of doing, and not to wait too long.
This is where this soup came from…
More White Bean Soup Recipes
- Brothy Beans on Garlic Toast
- Creamy White Bean Soup with Gremolata
- Tuscan Cannellini Bean Soup
- Smoky Tomato White Bean Soup
- Instant Pot Chicken and White Bean Soup
- Pumpkin Soup with Leeks and White beans
- Brothy Tortellini Soup w/ Spinach, White Beans & Basil
- Instant Pot Minestrone Soup (Vegan!)
Have a delicious weekend! Let us know how you like Ribollita in the comments below!
xoxo
Print
Ribollita (Tuscan White Bean Soup)
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A hearty flavorful Tuscan White Bean Soup called Ribollita with lacinato kale, cannellini beans and garden vegetables served with crusty bread and drizzled with a flavorful lemon rosemary oil. See notes for vegan option.
Ingredients
- 1/8 cup good olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped pancetta or bacon –optional (feel free to leave this out, or sub vegan bacon)
- 2 cups diced onions
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced fennel bulb (or sub celery)
- 4 – 6 cloves garlic- rough chopped
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, more to taste
- 2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
- 2–3 medium tomatoes – diced (or a 14-ounce can diced tomatoes)
- 6 cups lacinato kale, chopped
- Splash white wine
- 6 cups chicken or veggie stock
- Parmesan rind (optional, but adds depth and flavor)
- 3 cups cooked cannellini beans – or use 2 cans cannellini beans (drained, rinsed), or great northern white beans
- ——–
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
- Grated pecorino or Parmesan – optional or try vegan parmesan
- Crusty Bread
Rosemary Lemon Garlic Oil ( for drizzling)
- 1/2 cup good olive oil
- zest of one large lemon
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced
- few sprigs rosemary (or thyme, sage)
Instructions
- Make the Lemon Garlic Rosemary Oil – place all ingredients in a small jar or bowl and let sit on the counter (or make the day before, refrigerating)
- In a large, heavy-bottom pot or dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and optional pancetta and saute 6-8 minutes.
- Lower heat to med-low and add the carrots, fennel (or celery) and garlic, salt, pepper and chili flakes, and cook another 7- 9 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Add the tomatoes and lacinato kale, and a splash of white wine, and continue sauteing and stirring occasionally for 7-8 minutes.
- Add the stock and beans. Bring to soup to boil, turn heat down and simmer for 15 minutes.(You could add a Parmesan rind to the simmering soup for extra depth of flavor.)
- Stir in fresh Italian Parsley. Adjust salt if necessary.
- Serve in bowls with a drizzle of the flavorful lemon oil, grated Parmesan ( or Romano) and crusty bread.
Notes
- NOTE: If you like a thicker soup, blend or puree 1-2 cups of the soup, and add back to the soup. Or, thicken it with day-old bread, torn into small pieces and cooked with the broth. This is the traditional way. (I prefer a brothier version of this soup, so I skip both and serve with toasty bread on the side instead.)
- Keep this vegan by using veggie broth, no pancetta or parmesan. The rosemary oil will add a delicious flavor – I highly recommend it. Sometimes I’ll add a tablespoon of Nutritional Yeast for a more cheesy flavor and 1 tablespoon miso paste to add more depth. Up to you.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: with ½ cup chopped "Turkey bacon", parmesan and the finishing oil.
- Calories: 325
- Sugar: 4.5 g
- Sodium: 851.7 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 32.3 g
- Fiber: 7.1 g
- Protein: 12.3 g
- Cholesterol: 15.7 mg
This is so so good! Ima vegetarian so used veggie stock and the Parmesan rind. I made half the recisince it’s just me. Next time I’ll make the whole recipe. Didn’t have kale so used some cabbage. Didn’t have lemon or rosemary so no oil to top it off. Didn’t use any bread (diabetic). Can’t wait to make it again with proper ingredients although I can’t imagine how it could be any better.love reading everything you post.
Thanks so much, very appreciated!
I made this In it’s vegetarian version for a family get-together. There was only one vegetarian in the group, but everyone loved it. Flavorful, healthy—I was very impressed. I agree that the drizzle of oil adds a layer of flavor that is truly delicious. The crusty bread rounds it out nicely. Thanks for the wonderful recipe.
Oh awesome- thanks for sharing JoJo!
Delicious! I skipped the pancetta and wine, but otherwise made this to a T. My only comment would be that it is a bit salty for my taste, and I would cut back on this — but DEFINITELY making again!
I am going to make this soup this weekend, and was wondering if leftovers would freeze well?
This soup is SO delicious! Perfectly paired with crusty bread for a satisfying winter meal. The oil really makes it. And no need to purée. It’s become my go-to for hosting small groups this season. Everyone always asks for the recipe! Yum and thank you!
Thanks Amber!
On our recent trip to Tuscany, I was served this soup and loved it. I found your recipe and have now made it twice. It is delicious! I especially love that your recipe does not require that bread is added to the soup as most do. And, the splash of lemon olive oil just adds another level of beautiful flavor! Thank you for reminding me of wonderful memories with friends!
This recipe was definitely high mess factor, but WOW was it fabulous! highly recommend. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed!
Don’t like pancetta and didn’t want use bacon so used Italian sausage. Also used spinach and arugula instead of kale and still really liked. It is a bit time consuming to make but worth it. Very good!
Very, very yummy and easy to make. I cut the recipe in half as it’s just my hubby and me….however, I may do the whole batch in the future so I can share.I chose not to use pecorino and instead added chunks of high-quality parmesan to the broth. That was just right and made the broth creamy but not thick. Thanks, Sylvia. I always appreciate your recipes. Their full of goodness and doable for those of us who want to work wonders in the kitchen but need a bit of help to get there.
Thanks so much Sheila!
Superb. We had only half the kale on hand so added in 2 heads of endive. Thoroughly delicious.
Awesome, thanks Anna, appreciate this!
Any suggestions/adjustments if I’m leaving out the cheese in the broth?
May need to just add a bit more salt. If you like nutritional yeast, you could stir in a little of that to taste?
Fabulous dish! So flavorful and satisfying. Both my husband and I loved it. We had it in white flat bowls which really showed it off. It’s beautiful as well. As delicious.
Love it! Thanks for sharing!
Great recipe! Even in the warm summer months in Dubai! Thank you
We loved this…the lemon garlic oil adds so much bright complexity to the savory depth. It was relaxing and heart warming to make it on a sunday afternoon.
So glad you enjoyed!!!
I just cooked this beautiful Tuscan white bean soup for me and my daughter and we both absolutely LOVED it. As everyone has been saying, the rosemary/lemon infused olive oil drizzled on as a finishing touch is inspired. We didn’t have kale but I did have a pack of baby kale/Brussels sprouts hybrids which I chopped finely and added a few minutes before the end and they worked very well. Thank you so much! I shall now be checking your blog on a regular basis!
Gals you liked Annie!
Dear Sylvia, I have so far never commented, although I have been following your newsletter and updates over two years now. It has been through your site that I came across detoxing the ayurvedic way, and have been doing so twice a year – it has healed on so many levels. Ever since, I was a faithful re-cook of many of your recipes – since my daughter has arrived 15 months ago, I continue picking those recipes that seem ‘family smart’, so this Ribollita was perfect and nourishing us all for 4 days. Thank you for all the love and care you put into writing your recipes, I really appreciate the words and thoughts behind them.
All the best from mid Germany,
ulli
Hi Ulli, thanks so much for your comment! I appreciate you so much. I’m so glad you are enjoying the blog and the Ayurvedic Detox Bowl. All the best to you on you journey of motherhood. xoxo
I was looking for a soup that everyone , including my picky daughter, would eat on this cold Minnesota night. This was perfect. Even though I messed up and put the kale in after the beans and broth this still was amazing.
The addition of the lemon oil made the meal even better
Thanks for a great recipe!
Im so glad your family enjoyed this!
This soup is easy, quick and very good! Happy to have leftover lemon oil to use for salads this week!
Delicious recipe, the finishing oil is genius
Fantastic!! I loved it and make it many times!!
Absolutely delicious, as my stock pot was already in use making your lentil soup (it’s winter here in Australia) I made it in my Magimix Cook Expert and it tasted fantastic.
thanks so much Sheena!
How long does the Rosemary Lemon Olive oil keep?
A week to 10 days in the fridge.
I received Tuscan Kale in a vegetable delivery I receive here in Denmark and found this recipe because I had no idea what to do with the Kale. It was so delicious. The whole family, including my 4 and year old loved it! This will definitely be added as a family favorite and repeated. Thank you!
Im so glad you enjoyed it Jennifer…thank you!
Ribollita is my favorite! Love the addition of some healthy kale. Can’t wait to make this on a cool fall night.
Thanks Karen, Yes it is a good one for fall…add any stray veggies you have and in the fridge and your good to go!
Sylvia I am SO envious of your trip to Tuscany – it sounds incredible! (you made me laugh about having a named food baby by the end…I am sure after all the bread, pasta and gelato I would be in the same boat!!). This ribollita looks amazing too, especially with all the herbs, pancetta and the garlic rosemary oil! So perfect to mop up with crusty bread as you say <3
Hahaha…thanks Claudia!!