Rinse soaked beans well to remove all traces of baking soda.
Stove top method:
Sauté onions, carrots, oregano and thyme with salt (if using) and a drizzle of oil or splash of broth until the onions begin to soften.
Add the beans (if using dried), sausage, kale and liquid smoke. Sauté for a few more minutes.
Add the broth.
Cover and simmer for about 40-50 minutes, checking beans often for consistency.
Add kale about 30 minutes into cooking so it doesn’t get too soft.
Once beans are soft turn off heat and serve with Parmesan if desired (highly recommended!)
Instant Pot Method:
Turn the sauté setting on on the Instant Pot. Sauté onions, carrots, oregano and thyme with salt (if using) and a drizzle of oil or splash of broth until the onions begin to soften.
Add the beans (if using dried), sausage, kale and liquid smoke. Sauté for a few more minutes.
Turn the sauté function off and add the broth.
Put the top on and set to manual pressure cook on high for 20 minutes.
When it's done, release the steam valve carefully so you don't get a steam burn.
Allow all the steam to release then uncover and serve! If you are using canned beans, add them here after you drain and rinse them, put the top back on and allow to sit for about 10 or so minutes so the beans get warm.
Serve with Parmesan if desired, but highly recommended!
Notes
Prep for dried beans: Soak your beans for 8 hours to overnight or quick soak for 1-2 hours (see post for method).
Make sure to rinse the soaked beans well to get off all of the baking soda.
If your beans are not getting soft even after cooking extra time, then it is probably an issue with the beans being bad or old.
You can also use canned beans, just add them to the end (see instructions).
I used precooked sausages, but if using uncooked then sauté them first with the onions and carrots.
You can also use tempeh instead of sausage.
If your sausage (or tempeh if you use that) is NOT flavored as I state in the ingredients this recipe will be lacking in flavor. You will definitely need to add seasonings/spices and extra salt.