Name: Portuguese Kale Soup: Grandma's Unbeatable Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Portuguese
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced (linguiça, chouriço / chorizo or kielbasa); 1 medium onion, diced; 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes; 12 cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 1/2 pound potatoes, peeled and diced; 1 can cannellini beans (14 oz); 6 cups low-sodium chicken stock; 6 cups kale, stems removed, chopped; Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Jump to Recipe

There’s just somethin’ about a good soup, isn’t there? When the weather’s got you down, or you just need a hug in a bowl, soup’s the answer! And let me tell you, this Portuguese Kale Soup? It’s not just *any* soup. It’s a flavor explosion! The smoky sausage, the tender potatoes, and that slightly bitter kale… wow! It all comes together in this crazy-delicious, super-satisfying way. Plus, it’s packed with good stuff – veggies, protein, you name it. Seriously, this portuguese kale soup is so easy to whip up, you’ll be making it all the time. Trust me, I’ve been making it for years and it’s always a hit!

Why You’ll Love This Portuguese Kale Soup

Okay, so why *this* soup? Well, let me tell you, it’s got a few things goin’ for it. It’s:

Quick and Easy Comfort Food

Seriously, you can whip this up on a weeknight! Don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen? No problem!

Hearty and Nutritious

It’s not just tasty, it’s good for you! Packed with veggies and protein, it’ll keep you full and happy.

Authentic Portuguese Flavors

This soup tastes like it came straight from Portugal (or at least, my version does!). It’s the real deal, folks!

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Portuguese Kale Soup Ingredients

Alright, let’s talk ingredients! Here’s what you’ll need to make this magic happen. You’ll want 2 tablespoons of olive oil (the good stuff!), 1 pound of smoked sausage, sliced (I usually go for linguiça or kielbasa – chorizo works too!), 1 medium onion, diced, 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped, and a 1/4 teaspoon of red chili flakes for a little kick. Then grab 12 cherry tomatoes, halved, 1 1/2 pounds of potatoes, peeled and diced, 1 can of cannellini beans (14 oz), 6 cups of low-sodium chicken stock, and 6 cups of kale, stems removed and chopped. Oh, and don’t forget salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste!

How to Make Portuguese Kale Soup: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, folks, time to get cookin’! Here’s how you turn those ingredients into a pot of pure deliciousness. Don’t worry, it’s easier than it sounds!

Sauté the Sausage

First, grab your biggest pot or Dutch oven – you’ll need the space! Drizzle in those 2 tablespoons of olive oil and crank the heat to medium. Once it’s hot (careful, it splatters!), toss in your sliced sausage. You’ll want to fry it up for about 4-5 minutes, until it’s nice and slightly crispy. That crispy sausage is key, trust me!

Build the Flavor Base

Alright, sausage is lookin’ good? Now, add in that diced onion. Cook it for 3-4 minutes, until it’s softened and translucent. Then, stir in your finely chopped garlic and those red chili flakes. Cook for just a minute, until you can really smell that garlic – yum! Be careful not to burn the garlic, though, nobody wants bitter garlic.

Simmer with Tomatoes and Potatoes

Next, add in those halved cherry tomatoes. Sauté them for 3-4 minutes, until they start to soften and release their juices. Then, stir in your diced potatoes, cannellini beans (don’t drain ’em!), and 6 cups of chicken stock. Crank up the heat and bring it all to a boil. Once it’s boilin’, lower the heat back down to a simmer, cover the pot, and let it cook for about 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender. That means you can poke ’em easily with a fork!

Add the Kale

Potatoes are ready? Awesome! Now, add in your chopped kale. Give it a good stir, cover the pot again, and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, until the kale is wilted and tender. Don’t overcook the kale, you want it to still have a little bit of bite!

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Season and Serve Your Portuguese Kale Soup

Almost there! Now, give your soup a taste and season it with salt and pepper to your liking. Remember, the sausage is already salty, so go easy on the salt at first. Once it’s seasoned perfectly, ladle it into bowls and serve it up hot! Mmm, enjoy your Portuguese Kale Soup!

Tips for the Best Portuguese Kale Soup

Want to take your Portuguese Kale Soup from good to *amazing*? Of course, you do! Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned over the years that really make a difference.

Sausage Selection Matters

Okay, so the sausage is super important. I usually go for linguiça ’cause that’s what my grandma used, but honestly, chorizo or even kielbasa will work in a pinch. Just make sure it’s smoked – that smoky flavor is key!

Evenly Cut Potatoes

This might sound picky, but trust me! Cut your potatoes into evenly sized chunks. That way, they all cook at the same rate. Nobody wants some potatoes that are mushy and others that are still hard!

Seasoning to Taste

Seriously, don’t skip this step! Taste your soup *after* it’s finished cooking. The sausage is already pretty salty, so you might not need much extra salt. Add a little at a time until it’s perfect for you!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Portuguese Kale Soup

Okay, so sometimes you don’t have *exactly* what the recipe calls for, right? No worries! Here are a few easy swaps you can make for this Portuguese Kale Soup.

Sausage Options

Can’t find linguiça or chorizo? No sweat! Kielbasa works great! Just make sure it’s smoked, okay? That smokiness is key to gettin’ the right flavor.

Bean Variations

Don’t have cannellini beans on hand? Pinto beans or great northern beans will work just fine! They’ll give you that same creamy texture. Easy peasy!

Stock Alternatives

Out of chicken stock? Vegetable stock is a perfectly good substitute. It’ll still be delicious, I promise! Just maybe add a little extra salt to taste.

Serving Suggestions for Portuguese Kale Soup

Alright, you’ve got a pot of amazing Portuguese Kale Soup…now what? Well, here’s what *I* like to serve with it:

Crusty Bread

Seriously, you gotta have some crusty bread for dippin’! It’s the perfect way to soak up all that delicious broth. I like a good sourdough, but anything with a nice crust will do!

Side Salad

Sometimes, I like to add a simple side salad to round things out. Just some greens, maybe some tomatoes and cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette. Keeps things nice and fresh!

Storing and Reheating Your Portuguese Kale Soup

Okay, so you’ve made a big pot of Portuguese Kale Soup (good for you!), and now you’ve got leftovers? Awesome! Here’s how to keep it fresh and reheat it like a pro.

Storage Instructions

Just let the soup cool down a bit, then pop it into an airtight container and stick it in the fridge. It’ll keep for about 3-4 days. Easy peasy!

Reheating Methods

When you’re ready to eat, you can either reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat (stirring occasionally, of course!) or zap it in the microwave. If microwaving, do it in one-minute intervals, stirrin’ in between, until it’s nice and hot. Careful, it can get *really* hot!

Frequently Asked Questions About Portuguese Kale Soup

Got questions about this amazing Portuguese Kale Soup? I bet you do! Here are a few of the most common things folks ask me.

Can I make Portuguese Kale Soup in a slow cooker?

You betcha! Just sauté the sausage, onion, garlic, and chili flakes like normal, then toss everything – including the kale – into your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4. Just keep an eye on the potatoes, you don’t want ’em gettin’ too mushy! Easy peasy!

Can I freeze Portuguese Kale Soup?

Yep! This soup freezes really well. Just let it cool completely, then pour it into freezer-safe containers or bags. It’ll keep for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave. I find the potatoes get a little softer after freezing, but it still tastes amazing!

Is Portuguese Kale Soup healthy?

You know it! It’s packed with veggies, like kale and potatoes, which are full of vitamins and fiber. Plus, the beans add protein and more fiber. Just be mindful of the sausage – it can be high in sodium and fat. Using low-sodium chicken stock can help keep the sodium down, too!

Nutritional Information for Portuguese Kale Soup

Okay, so here’s the deal: nutrition info can vary *a lot* depending on the exact ingredients you use. So, don’t take any numbers you see as gospel, okay?

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Enjoyed This Portuguese Kale Soup?

So, did you love this Portuguese Kale Soup as much as I do? Let me know in the comments! And hey, don’t forget to rate the recipe and share it with your friends!