A comforting and zesty bowl of Lemony Tuscan Artichoke Soup is exactly what I reach for when I want something light yet satisfying. With creamy cannellini beans, tender artichoke hearts, fresh greens, and a bright burst of lemon, this Tuscan-inspired soup brings a rustic, homey charm to the table. It’s easy to make, nourishing, and layered with flavors that warm me from the inside out.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 small russet potato, peeled and diced
4 cups vegetable broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
2 cups fresh spinach or kale, chopped
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, for garnish
Directions
I start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then sauté the diced onion until it’s soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Next, I stir in the garlic and let it cook for another minute or two, just until fragrant.
Once the aromatics are ready, I add the artichoke hearts, cannellini beans, diced potato, vegetable broth, thyme, oregano, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if I want a little kick. I bring it all to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for about 20 minutes, until the potatoes are fork-tender.
To get that creamy texture without losing all the chunky goodness, I use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup—or sometimes I transfer half to a blender, then stir it back in. After that, I stir in the lemon juice, zest, and the chopped greens. I simmer everything for another 5 minutes, just until the greens wilt.
A final seasoning with salt and pepper, a sprinkle of fresh parsley, and it’s ready to serve.
Servings and timing
Servings: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Calories per serving: 185 kcal
Variations
I sometimes swap out the cannellini beans for chickpeas for a slightly firmer texture. If I’m out of fresh greens, frozen spinach works just as well. For a richer flavor, I’ve also added a spoonful of nutritional yeast or a swirl of cashew cream just before serving. And when I want to bulk it up, I toss in cooked quinoa or orzo for extra heartiness.
Storage/Reheating
I let the soup cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge—it keeps well for up to 4 days. It also freezes beautifully, so I like to portion it out and freeze individual servings for up to 3 months. To reheat, I warm it gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to bring back the creamy consistency.
FAQs
How do I make this soup creamier without adding dairy?
I blend part of the soup using an immersion blender, which thickens it naturally thanks to the beans and potatoes. No cream needed.
Can I use frozen artichoke hearts instead of canned?
Yes, I can. I just thaw them first and give them a quick chop—they work great in this soup.
What other beans can I use if I don’t have cannellini?
I’ve tried great northern beans and even navy beans. They all blend well and keep the texture smooth.
Is this soup freezer-friendly?
Absolutely. I portion it into freezer-safe containers and freeze it for up to 3 months. It reheats beautifully on the stove.
Can I use lemon juice from a bottle?
I could, but I find fresh lemon juice and zest really elevate the flavor in a way bottled juice just can’t.
Conclusion
This Lemony Tuscan Artichoke Soup is everything I want in a cozy, nourishing meal: easy to make, naturally wholesome, and packed with bold, bright flavors. Whether I’m winding down on a weeknight or prepping ahead for the week, it’s a soup that always hits the spot. It’s rustic, vibrant, and wonderfully comforting—just like Tuscany in a bowl.
Recipe:
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Lemony Tuscan Artichoke Soup
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- Author: Sophia
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Lemony Tuscan Artichoke Soup is a cozy, plant-based soup featuring creamy cannellini beans, tender artichoke hearts, and fresh greens, brightened with lemon juice and zest. It’s nourishing, flavorful, and naturally vegan and gluten-free—perfect for a light yet satisfying meal.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 small russet potato, peeled and diced
4 cups vegetable broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
2 cups fresh spinach or kale, chopped
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the diced onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in the artichoke hearts, cannellini beans, diced potato, vegetable broth, thyme, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
- Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup for a creamy texture while keeping some chunks. Alternatively, transfer half to a blender and stir it back in.
- Stir in the lemon juice, zest, and chopped greens. Simmer for another 5 minutes until the greens wilt.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
Swap cannellini beans with chickpeas for a firmer texture.
Frozen spinach works well as a substitute for fresh greens.
Add nutritional yeast or cashew cream for a richer flavor.
Cooked quinoa or orzo can be added for a heartier version.
Soup stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days or freezer for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tuscan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
