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Home » Soup Recipes » Best Portuguese Kale Soup: Classic Recipe with Creative Twists

Best Portuguese Kale Soup: Classic Recipe with Creative Twists

Published: Oct 22, 2020 · Modified: Nov 2, 2023 by Cooking Chat · This post may contain affiliate links

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The Best Portuguese Kale Soup is a delicious way to enjoy healthy kale! This kale soup recipe is based on a traditional Portuguese Kale Soup with a few creative variations of our own. Sausage, beans and potatoes simmer with kale and plenty of garlic for great flavor. Read on for details, or click here to jump down to the recipe. Article originally published in January 2016 and updated in 2020. If you’d like to get right to the wine pairing info, click here Disclosure: some of the wines mentioned were provided as complimentary samples.

bowl of the best Portuguese Kale Soup with some crusty bread on the side.

I probably make this Portuguese Kale Soup more than any other soup recipe. I’ve tweaked a few things over time, and the result is my Best Portuguese Kale Soup recipe I’m sharing with you today. If you want another soup idea, one of our new favorites is this Irish Vegetable Soup recipe.

When I first wrote up this recipe in the winter of 2016, I had planned to make a batch of the Best Portuguese Kale Soup before I knew the temperature was going to be in the single digits for much of the day. Boy, were we glad to dig into steaming bowls of this kale soup last night after coming in from the cold.

Sausage, beans and potatoes simmer along with the kale and plenty of garlic for a hearty, full-flavored soup. A great way to enjoy some healthy kale!

kale added to a pot of soup

What is in a classic Portuguese Kale Soup?

When I first started making Portuguese kale soup, I followed the kale soup recipe from Thoughtful Eating– a local blogger friend of Portuguese heritage.

 Like so many traditional recipes, there are many iterations of kale soup, with recipes passed down over generations. I’m sure you could get into a lively debate in Portugal about what constitutes “authentic Portuguese kale soup” (you can get a little taste of that scrolling through the comments here!).

But the consistent elements of a classic kale soup seem to be:

  • Kale: well, no surprise here! This soup goes by the name Caldo Verde in Portuguese, meaning green soup. The green of course comes from the kale.
  • Potatoes provide some good substance to this hearty soup.
  • Onions and garlic provide a flavor base for the soup.
  • Sausage This seems to be one point that generates strong feelings. Portuguese soup with chorizo is very common (known as chouriço in Portuguese). Some recipes suggest linguiça, another Portuguese sausage. I have taken some liberties in this department.

If you happen to have extra kale after making this soup, it’s a great addition to a healthy smoothie! Check out the recipe for Pineapple, Kale and Banana Smoothie in this collection of 10 Best Breakfast Smoothies.

Cooking Chat adaptations

bowl of Portuguese kale soup

I like to be inspired by classic recipes like Portuguese kale soup, but I tend to experiment and create a version that utilizes ingredients we have readily available and that suit our taste.

Taking the traditional Portuguese kale soup as my starting point, our recipe also includes:

  • Beans are found in some kale soup recipes; we definitely like to include them to enhance the nutritional value of the soup and make this a complete meal. We typically use red kidney beans, but you could substitute other beans of your choosing.
  • Butternut squash: OK, this is clearly a departure from classic kale soup! But please give it a try–the sweetness of the squash is a nice contrast to the spicy sausage and garlic. I often swap one sweet potato for the squash, to basically have the same effect of adding sweetness.
  • Andouille sausage: I really like the garlicky flavor of Andouille sausage, and typically use it in my soup. This is not a Portuguese sausage, I’m afraid — it seems to originate from France or Germany. I would encourage you to make this soup a couple times, try it with a typical Portuguese sausage as well as my Andouille variation and pick what suits your taste. I also often use a chicken or turkey Andouille sausage to make the soup a little bit healthier.

Some versions of Portuguese kale soup recipes call for the soup to be at least partially puréed. We thicken our soup by smashing a few of the potatoes against the side of the pot after they have softened.

I do also make a Vegetarian Kale Soup — but that is a another story!

digging into the best Portuguese Kale Soup.

So give my recipe a try on a cold night. I bet you will find yourself making it again and again, and you might come up with a few tasty variations of your own, and lay claim to your own Best Portuguese Kale Soup recipe! You can also have fun trying different Portuguese wine to pair with kale soup.

I am pleased to see many people in the comments and social media trying this soup and adding their own variations — please tell us about your Portuguese kale soup! But please don’t tell Josh’s mom that he likes our version better than hers…from the comments below:

“I am 100% Portuguese, i have eaten this soup my entire life, i made this recipe a few weeks back and it was my first time ever making soup. I am not kidding you when i say if you follow this recipe you will have a fantastic soup you can not get enough of… (don’t tell my mom this recipe is better than hers!)

Steps for making our soup

bowl of Portuguese kale soup served with red wine and bread.

a bowl of the Best Portuguese Kale Soup

Here we highlight key steps for making our Portuguese Kale Soup; click here to jump down to the recipe card for the full instructions.

  • Start by browning the sausages in the soup pot. browning sausage in a soup potIt takes about 5 or 10 minutes to get the sausages a bit brown on the outside, and it leaves some nice flavor behind in the pot after you remove the sausages. sautéing onions and carrots for soup.
  • Sauté the onions, followed by the carrots, so that they begin to soften. I find that I can get the potatoes and squash peeled while the onions are sautéing. BTW, if you happen to have carrots with the tops on them, save the greens to make our Carrot Top Chimichurri.
  • Add the potatoes, squash and garlic after the onions have softened. Note 1 sweet potato is a convenient substitution for the squash. kale added to soup
  • The potatoes take 15 to 20 minutes to soften. After that, add the kale. Kale is bulky when raw, so add about half of the kale initially, stir it into the soup to make more room in the pot, then add the rest.stirring kale into soup
  • Stir the sausages and beans into the pot after the kale has cooked for a couple of minutes. adding beans to kale soup.Simmer the soup for at least 5 to 10 more minutes, if you have time to let it simmer more like 15 to 20 minutes that just further enhances the flavor.

Next we are going to cover wine pairings for our Portuguese Kale Soup. We have quite a few wines to suggest, click here to skip the wine info and jump down to the recipe.

Wine Pairings

A Portuguese red wine blend is a class pairing for our kale soup. But we have also enjoyed the soup with some good California Cabernet Franc.

kale soup paired with red wine.

Kale Soup paired with Dracaena Wines Cabernet Franc.

Most recently, we opened the 2018 Dracaena Cabernet Franc ($34, 14.4% ABV) from Paso Robles to go with the soup. Black pepper on the nose, raspberry fruit and a touch of vanilla on the palate. Soft mouthfeel. An excellent wine, pairs very well with the soup — enough heft for the sausages, the fruit and black pepper element match the flavor profile of the soup ingredients.

Portuguese kale soup with a red wine from Portugal.

Portuguese red wine is a natural choice to pair with Portuguese Kale Soup. Portugal is a great source of wine values. I typically look for a red blend from the Duoro region including the Touriga Nacional variety.

I had a chance to test out a couple of new Portuguese wines to go with our latest batch of kale soup. I especially liked the way the 2015 douROSA ($15, 14 % ABV) paired with the soup.

I get a bit of forest floor on the nose of the douROSA. On the palate, fresh red cherry fruit with a bit of cinnamon and vanilla on the finish. I enjoyed sipping a bit of the douROSA while making the soup as well as along with it.

wine with the Best Portuguese Kale SoupThis wine is from Quinta Da Rosa, located in the Duoro region of Northern Portugal. The primary grape is Touriga Nacional, with other traditional port grapes rounding out the blend. Quinta Da Rosa is also well known for its high quality Ports.

When I originally posted this recipe, I recommended the 2012 Tinta Boa ($11), a blend of Portuguese grapes Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional.

The 2015 JP Azeitão Red ($8, 13.5% ABV) is another good Portuguese red wine value I’ve tried recently that could work with the kale soup. The wine is from Peninsula de Setubal, comprised of 55 % Syrah along with Portuguese varietals Castelão (25%) and Arogonez (20%).

This Portuguese wine has a bright, fruity nose. Taste of strawberry and bit of licorice. Light and easy drinking. I originally served this as a nice pairing for our Vegetarian Kale Soup; a variation of this Portuguese kale soup recipe that features tempeh in place of the sausage.

Portugal provides a great chance to try some new new wine grape varietals. The most recent time I made Portuguese kale soup, I served it with a wine that takes new wine grape exposure to the extreme. 2014 Achado E Perdidos 28 Uvas ($12, 13.5% ABV) is a red wine made from a field blend of 28 grape varieties, none of which I’ve seen outside of Portuguese wine (see list below).

The 28 Uvas is deep purple in the glass. Spring flowers on the nose. Well-balanced, cherry and strawberry fruit with a bit of licorice. Definitely another great wine pairing for our Portuguese Kale Soup!

bowl of Portuguese kale soup served with a red wine from Portugal.

Achados E Perdidos means “lost and found” in Portuguese. The winery is located on one of the steepest terraced bands on the banks of the Duoro River. The winemakers João Silva e Sousa and Francisco Baptista found an old vineyard planted in schist soils, where 28 native Portuguese wine grape varietals were grown together.

Field blends like 28 Uvas were common in Portugal before a modern trend toward trying more popular international grapes. Thus they have “found” a traditional Portuguese vineyard and are producing some very good wine from it.

The recent pairing with the Dracaena Wines Cab Franc wasn’t our first foray into pairing the soup with a wine from California. BTW, for more Cab Franc food pairing ideas, check out our article on Cabernet Franc Food Pairing Tips and Favorites.

Another time we opened the 2014 Niner Wine Estates Reserve Cabernet Franc ($65, 14.5%) from Paso Robles. Disclosure: This wine provided as a complimentary sample.

Niner Wine Estates Cabernet Franc

This bottle from Niner Wine Estates is a special Cab Franc, produced in a cool sub-AVA of Willow Creek. I get bell pepper on the nose. On the palate, blackberry fruit, slate and black pepper. Dusky mouthfeel. Very different than the Portuguese blends, but a good pairing nonetheless. Cab Franc is a versatile red wine for food pairings!

We also have enjoyed our kale soup with a good red Languedoc blend, the 2013 Domaine D’Aupilhac Montpeyroux. We we pleased with the way this blend of Mourvedre, Syrah, Carignan, Grenache and Cinsault went with the soup. A bit like a Portuguese red blend with all the different grape varietals! 

One more pairing idea — in this article on Texas wines article on Texas wines, The Swirling Dervish reports that a Cab / Merlot blend from Spicewood Vineyards worked well with the soup. Good to know that if you can’t find Portuguese wine, Cab / Merlot blends can work too! A bit easier to find.

Print

Recipe card

Best Portuguese Kale Soup

portuguese kale soup in a bowl
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 30 reviews

Cooking Chat’s Best Portuguese Kale Soup is a delicious way to enjoy healthy kale! Sausage, beans and potatoes simmer along with the kale and plenty of garlic for a hearty, full-flavored soup.

  • Author: Cooking Chat
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 35 mins
  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: stove top
  • Cuisine: Portuguese

Ingredients

Scale
  • 9 ozs andouille sausages (I often like to use turkey sausage for a healthier dish)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 medium potatoes, chopped
  • 2 cups butternut squash, peeled and chopped
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 2 ½ cups of water
  • 1 bunch of kale (at least 4 cups) stems removed & coarsely chopped
  • 1 14.5 oz can red kidney beans
  • pinch crushed red pepper flakes
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Brown the sausages: Heat a large soup pan with oil spray. Add the sausages and cook for 5 minutes or so to brown, stirring occasionally. Remove the sausages and set aside to cool. When they have cooled, slice the sausage in half lengthwise, then cut into semi-circles ½ inch thick. Set aside.
  2. Sauté onions & carrots: Heat the olive oil on medium in the soup pan, then add the onions. Sauté for 5 minutes, then add carrots and sauté a few more minutes.
  3. Stir in potatoes, then the butternut squash and garlic. Cook for a minute or two.
  4. Add liquid after the potatoes have been cooking for a couple of minutes, add the chicken stock and water. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce to simmer on medium for 15 minutes.
  5. Stir in kale: After 15 minutes the veggies should be starting to get soft. Use a sturdy spoon to smash some of the potato and butternut against the side of the pot, to thicken the soup. Stir in the kale in a few batches, to allow some to cook down a bit to create more room. Add salt to taste and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
  6. Add sausage and beans: Stir in the sausage and the kidney beans. Cook for another 5 to 10 minutes to let all the flavors meld. More cooking time is great, too, if you’ve got the time! When it’s cooked to your liking, serve with a crusty bread and glass of Portuguese wine to round things out.

Notes

  • 9 ounces sausage is based on 3 smaller sausages, which is the size the chicken and turkey sausages I use tend to use. 2 larger sausages would be comparable.
  • You want a minimum of 4 cups of kale. That might be a good amount if your family hasn’t warmed up to kale yet, but I typically use closer to 6 cups.
  • You can use one sweet potato instead of the butternut squash. Or you can choose to skip the squash entirely; the soup will still be tasty, but just missing that sweet offset to the spices in the dish.
  • Turkey or chicken sausage can be used in place of the traditional pork.
  • This kale soup is great the 2nd day! Store covered in the refrigerator and gradually reheat on the stove top when you are ready to eat it again.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @CookingChatWine on Instagram and hashtag it #CookingChat

Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

Looking for another substantial soup recipe? Try our Hearty Collard Green and Sausage Soup!

Hearty Collard Green and Chicken Sausage Soup Recipe

Portuguese Wine & Food with Wine Pairing Weekend

There is so much more to PORTUGAL than PORT Wine! Discover our stories about Portugal this Saturday, September 9th when, by 11 am ET / 8am PT, the Wine Pairing Weekend crew will publish posts about Portuguese wine and then head to twitter to share our choices and tell the stories behind them (hashtag = #WinePW).
Food and travel are always a part of the chat, so join us for all the doors that Portuguese  wine can open. And we’d love to have participation from people who live in Portugal too! This month, the Wine Pairing Weekend crew includes:
  • From Camilla Mann of Culinary Adventures with Camilla: “Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato with a Vinho Verde”
  • From Jill Barth of L’Occasion: “The Plurality of Portuguese Wine” 
  • From Lori Budd of Dracaena Wine : “Portugal’s Political History Effects It’s Culinary and Wine Culture”  
  • From David Crowley of Cooking Chat: “Best Portuguese Kale Soup”
  • From Nicole Ruiz Hudson of Somm’s Table: “Cooking to the Wine: Passagem Douro Reserva with Spiced Wine Braised Octopus”
  • From Lauren Walsh of The Swirling Dervish: “Talego – A Taste of Portugal in Paris.” 
  • From Wendy Klik of A Day on the Farm: “Rustic and Red” 
  • From Sue and Gwen at Wine Predator: “Portugal: Wine, Castles, Cobbles, Coastline, Cuisine

a bowl of Portuguese kale soup.
Bowl of Portuguese Kale soup.
« Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs with Jura Wine
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Andy

    August 27, 2016 at 6:00 pm

    Making this tonight. Its Late August and 80° outside, but it looks so good who cares. I’ll just turn up the AC and enjoy a steamy bowl of soup. Can’t wait.

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      August 28, 2016 at 6:46 am

      Hope you enjoy! I’ve definitely enjoyed this in the summer time, especially when I’ve had extra kale on hand from farmer’s market.

      Reply
      • Margaret

        August 29, 2016 at 8:04 pm

        I use squash in my Kale soup too, but to make it easy, I use the box of frozen mashed squash. My friend from Madeira Island Portugal gave me this idea. I also add a can of gf split pea soup. Great taste! Linguica is my sausage choice!

        Reply
        • Cooking Chat

          August 30, 2016 at 7:02 am

          Thanks for stopping by, Margaret. Linguica is a tasty choice!

          Reply
          • Flavio DeAlmeida

            May 04, 2022 at 2:11 pm

            Great soup.The only thing I added was was quarter cup of red wine vinegar.Awsome soup

          • Cooking Chat

            May 05, 2022 at 7:11 pm

            Thanks! Interesting addition; I use vinegar a lot in my cooking but wouldn’t have thought to add it here.

      • Duarte

        March 06, 2023 at 4:53 pm

        Who ever heard of Portuguese kale soup without the Portuguese chorizo?

        Reply
        • Cooking Chat

          March 07, 2023 at 6:14 am

          It is true that the classic version would Portuguese chorizo. As explained, our recipe includes several adaptations we made, which most everyone who tries it really have enjoyed. Did you try the soup or rate it because of the ingredient list?

          Reply
  2. CJ

    December 09, 2016 at 2:14 pm

    I think you mean to say chouriço, not chorizo. Chorizo is Mexican, chouriço is Portuguese (so I has a different spice profile, with smoked Portuguese paprika). Caldeen would be weird with chorizo I think (but then again I’m not a fan of the andouille substitute). Red beans were the standard for my avó and I highly recommend them to whoever does it. And carrots rather than squash.

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      December 09, 2016 at 4:41 pm

      Thanks CJ for the info on the sausages. I definitely have veered in a few respects from the traditional recipe here, to suit our personal tastes. The butternut squash adds a sweetness that contrasts nicely in my estimation with the spice of the sausage.

      Reply
    • Paula

      February 19, 2020 at 4:27 pm

      I was going to say the same thing. My mom that just passed was 100% Portuguese and started hers with beef then added linguica, kale , potatoes and beans. I like chourico myself because its spicier. This recipe here reminds me of Zuppa toscana from Olive garden.

      Reply
      • Cooking Chat

        February 20, 2020 at 6:12 am

        Sorry to hear of your loss. Interesting, I hadn’t heard of this soup being made with beef to start.

        Reply
        • Maria

          March 27, 2023 at 7:35 am

          Yes it’s typically made with beef shank and portuguese chourico. My mother used collard greens instead of kale. This is how I make it otherwise I don’t consider it “Portuguese “

          Reply
          • Cooking Chat

            April 06, 2023 at 6:37 am

            I hadn’t heard of the use of beef shank before. I can see collard greens working well…although I probably wouldn’t call that “kale soup”!

        • Ronald Nobrega

          October 20, 2023 at 1:15 pm

          Great recipe, used white beans instead of red,carrots, potatoes and vegetable broth, added oregano, smoked paprika and red pepper flakes. Delicious.

          Reply
          • Cooking Chat

            October 21, 2023 at 8:27 am

            Glad you liked it! Not sure if I’ve tried this with white beans, will have to some time.

  3. Jodi

    December 09, 2016 at 9:15 pm

    Tasty!

    Reply
  4. Platter Talk

    February 11, 2017 at 3:29 pm

    This soup looks and sound like what the Dr. ordered for this cod, winter day! Beautiful shots.

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      February 11, 2017 at 5:38 pm

      Sounds like you have similar weather to us! Or maybe you are here in Boston area…

      Reply
  5. Tracy | Baking Mischief

    February 11, 2017 at 3:35 pm

    I just happen to have some sausage in my freezer. Guess I know what I’m doing with it now. 😉 This looks delicious! I can’t wait to try it.

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      February 11, 2017 at 5:38 pm

      Thanks! Hope you like it, Tracy.

      Reply
  6. Amanda

    February 11, 2017 at 4:14 pm

    This is my kind of soup. Well…any soup with kale, beans and andouille sausage is good. The addition of the butternut squash and potatoes makes it a hearty soup. Yum!

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      February 11, 2017 at 5:38 pm

      thanks! It is definitely pretty substantial.

      Reply
  7. SÂO ISAAC

    March 08, 2017 at 3:56 am

    My favorite one,Portuguese food

    Reply
  8. Wendy Klik

    September 09, 2017 at 6:20 am

    Glad that you reshared this old favorite David. I can’t wait to make some.

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      September 09, 2017 at 6:32 am

      Thanks Wendy!

      Reply
  9. Lauren Walsh

    September 09, 2017 at 8:56 am

    Looks great, David! I can see why it’s a crowd favorite. Wines are intriguing, too. So many new varieties to discover in Portugal!

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      September 09, 2017 at 1:57 pm

      Thanks Lauren! Definitely lots of great wine to try in Portugal for sure.

      Reply
  10. Agness of Run Agness Run

    September 09, 2017 at 2:00 pm

    I was looking for a good soup recipe and this one is just awesome! Can’t wait to prepare it, David! Is this a traditional Portuguese dish?

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      September 10, 2017 at 8:04 am

      Thanks Agness! This is a modified version of the traditional Portuguese dish “Caldo Verde”. I use Andouille sausage instead of the traditional Portuguese sausage, and add butternut squash.

      Reply
  11. Lori

    September 10, 2017 at 7:28 am

    The soup sounds fantastic and using butternut squash and chorrizo! YUM!!! Oh and sidebar, love that you can do “jump to this part of the post” by clicking here.. How do you do that?!

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      September 10, 2017 at 8:05 am

      Thanks Lori! I just emailed you with info on the “jump to this part of the post thing”. A little coding helps make it happen, handy in longer posts like this.

      Reply
  12. Camilla @ Culinary Adventures

    September 10, 2017 at 7:44 pm

    I am looking forward to trying this as soon as the weather cools down a bit. Thanks for sharing, David!

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      September 11, 2017 at 5:41 am

      Thanks Camilla, hope you like it!

      Reply
  13. Lynn

    September 12, 2017 at 3:27 am

    What a nice soup to welcome fall with, it’s here overnight in Bordeaux. While I haven’t been keen on wine with soup (it’s a strange personal thing), I’m curious to try a Portuguese red you suggest. Thanks for a great recipe David 😉

    Reply
  14. Diego Lopes

    September 13, 2017 at 8:14 am

    Not much of a kale soup fan, but you got my attention with this recipe. I’ll give it a try!

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      September 13, 2017 at 8:15 pm

      it’s worth trying I would say!

      Reply
  15. Nicole

    September 13, 2017 at 12:56 pm

    This looks delicious — Love the addition of the squash! I think that would balance the flavors nicely. So many good wine options as well–one of the reasons I love Portuguese wines so much! Also, would love for you to stop by at http://www.sommstable.com (not NibblingGypsy) for the Octopus and Douro. Cheers!

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      September 13, 2017 at 8:15 pm

      The squash is a nice addition! I will definitely check out your post soon.

      Reply
  16. Jill Barth

    September 13, 2017 at 2:46 pm

    I love that there is a veg option – and it makes sense with all of the ingredients that can shine independently. I’ve seen the kale soup come up a few times (each time special) and I’m curious if kale thrives in Portugal…it must.

    This is going on my soup-for-fall list, what a fun time to try it out. Great post, David – thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      September 13, 2017 at 8:12 pm

      Yes, the veg option is very non-traditional but definitely works! Yes, I assume kale is abundant in Portugal given that this is a big dish of theirs…but haven’t been there to confirm!

      Reply
  17. Jessica Robinson

    December 28, 2017 at 7:38 pm

    Love a great soup on a cold winter’s day! Definitely going to try this one very soon!

    Reply
  18. Lauren Walsh

    December 29, 2017 at 12:17 pm

    This is simply the best winter soup I’ve made in a long time. It’s pretty easy to pull together, but the flavors taste like it took days to make. And switching out the chorizo for the andouille sausage worked really well, in my opinion: the smoky garlic flavors gave an added dimension to the soup that was really enjoyable. I’ve shared the recipe with friends who love it as well. A hit!

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      December 29, 2017 at 5:41 pm

      Thanks for the feedback Lauren! Glad you liked it!

      Reply
  19. diane

    January 26, 2018 at 4:37 pm

    Hi..just a point of information for you. This is not Caldo Verde but Soupa de Couve. Caldo Verde is a very simple soup made with potatoes which are pureed and shredded kale is added at the end. Slices of chourico are added as garnish before serving. Soupa de Couve or Kale Soup, is the recipe you have posted and the recipe is very similar to the recipe that has been passed down in our family for years.

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      January 26, 2018 at 7:07 pm

      Thanks for sharing, Diane. Interestingly the person I first got the recipe from called the soup Caldo Verde. But maybe something got lost in transferring the recipe over time.

      Reply
  20. Sonal

    October 24, 2018 at 5:09 pm

    This soup sounds so comforting. I am a vegetarian and will be converting this recipe for vegetarians. Appreciate your wine pairing advise with the soup. Sounds perfect.

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      October 24, 2018 at 5:38 pm

      Hi Sonal–it definitely can be adapted for vegetarian preferences. I have made it using tempeh instead of sausage. I suspect you might be able to come up with some other good options too–let me know!

      Reply
  21. Deepika

    October 24, 2018 at 5:10 pm

    The soup sounds so tempting. I am adding this recipe to my Winter Soup collection list and make it soon. It recipe itself is so delicious. I love the wine pairing suggestions as well.

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      October 24, 2018 at 5:37 pm

      Thanks, I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  22. Hope

    October 24, 2018 at 6:33 pm

    This looks so hearty! Perfect comfort food! Looks like is so full of flavour! Thanks for the wine pairings!

    Reply
  23. Ellen

    October 24, 2018 at 7:08 pm

    This soup looks so warm and comforting. Perfect for cool fall days!

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      October 25, 2018 at 5:48 am

      Thanks Ellen!

      Reply
  24. Dana

    October 24, 2018 at 7:27 pm

    I love the flavors and ingredients that go into this soup – yum!

    Reply
  25. Josh Ferreira

    November 09, 2018 at 5:49 am

    I am 100% Portuguese, i have eaten this soup my entire life, i made this recipe a few weeks back and it was my first time ever making soup. I am not kidding you when i say if you follow this recipe you will have a fantastic soup you can not get enough of. Only modifications i made was putting in real Portuguese Chouriço instead of whatever Adouille sausage is and i skipped the butternut squash… (dont tell my mom this recipe is better than hers!)

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      November 09, 2018 at 6:48 am

      Thanks for the feedback, Josh, and I promise not to tell your Mother!

      Reply
  26. Olivia B.

    January 23, 2019 at 8:27 pm

    This soup is AMAAAAAZING!!! I used Field Roast vegan Italian sausage (its truly the best, and tastes JUST like real sausage), used a blend of lacinato and green kale, white/red potatoes, and a pinch of garlic salt and cayenne!!! I also used all stock instead of adding water. Thanks so much for a great recipie!!!!

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      January 24, 2019 at 6:32 am

      Glad you liked it, Olivia! Thanks for the tip on the vegan sausage. I’ve made a vegetarian version of this soup, too, using tempeh.

      Reply
  27. Tami Price

    January 12, 2020 at 3:31 pm

    Made this recipe for dinner last night! Very light but hearty soup. Lot’s of flavor! Will be making again! Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      January 13, 2020 at 6:21 am

      Glad you liked it Tami!

      Reply
  28. Aleta

    January 13, 2020 at 9:31 am

    Kale soup is one of my favourites and l love the addition of the beans! It’s freezing cold here right now, we are actually snowed in at the moment and I happen to have all the ingredients needed to make this soup! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  29. Nicoletta

    February 19, 2020 at 7:04 am

    Hearty, nutritious, and comforting, this kale soup warms you from the inside out.

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      February 20, 2020 at 6:12 am

      Very true!

      Reply
  30. LaKita

    February 20, 2020 at 12:47 pm

    This soup looks so comforting and delicious and I love that it uses kale, an ingredient that I’m constantly looking for new ways to use.

    Reply
  31. Tatiana

    February 21, 2020 at 10:01 am

    This looks amazing! The one I always do here at home is Caldo Verde, but I will totally be trying this one.

    Reply
  32. Amanda

    February 21, 2020 at 5:34 pm

    What a cozy soup! I love the touch of sweetness the butternut squash adds to the savory kale. And it couldn’t be easier to make!

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      February 21, 2020 at 9:12 pm

      Thanks, it is a nice combo of contrasting flavors!

      Reply
  33. Marisa F. Stewart

    February 22, 2020 at 1:39 pm

    We are definitely soup lovers and I was looking for something just a bit different. I found this soup and made it for Hubby. You weren’t kidding — it is delicious and I know this will become a regular for us.

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      February 23, 2020 at 4:26 pm

      Great, glad you liked it, Marisa!

      Reply
  34. Tara

    February 23, 2020 at 4:07 pm

    Kale is such an understated leafy green. I love it in soups, pastas and in cheese melts. Delicious and healthy.

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      February 23, 2020 at 4:25 pm

      True, kale is very versatile!

      Reply
  35. Danielle

    February 23, 2020 at 7:48 pm

    Kale soup never disappoints. It is flavorful, warming and so delicious. I am excited to follow your recipe now!

    Reply
  36. Debbie

    February 23, 2020 at 8:31 pm

    This Portuguese Kale soup sounds so comforting and delicious . I basically have almost all the ingredients for this as we speak. It sounds like a perfect Monday night meal.

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      February 24, 2020 at 6:09 am

      Good timing!

      Reply
  37. Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life

    February 23, 2020 at 11:13 pm

    I love adding kale to soup as it’s such a great way to add additional nutrients, but I’ve never made a soup where the star ingredient is kale. Can’t wait to give this tasty looking soup a try!

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      February 24, 2020 at 6:09 am

      Thanks Claire, we like giving kale a starring role!

      Reply
  38. Anthony Miranda

    August 26, 2020 at 4:54 pm

    Very interesting Kale soup. Make this many times, I use a handful of fava beans peeled, alphabet pasta, linguesa is my favorite. Portuguese us a kale, several kinds, curly, big leaf, kale san jorge. These beat the collard greems. Anthony Miranda, Modesto, Ca.

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      August 26, 2020 at 6:25 pm

      Thanks for sharing, Anthony. I realize my version does veer from traditional Portuguese kale soup a bit. I like learning about all the variations of it! Don’t know if I’ve heard of adding pasta to it before, but might have to try!

      Reply
  39. Andrea Howe

    October 22, 2020 at 10:06 am

    This sounds so hearty and delicious; perfect for Fall. Thank you for sharing! I can’t wait to try this

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      October 23, 2020 at 5:54 am

      Thanks Andrea, hope you like it!

      Reply
  40. Lori

    October 23, 2020 at 3:00 pm

    This sounds so wonderful with our Cab Franc! Thank you for suggesting another great pairing!

    Reply
    • Duarte

      March 17, 2021 at 8:12 am

      Would never substitute portuguese chourico for any other sausage. It just changes the whole taste of kale soup. Also, never heard of putting squash and carrots in traditional kale soup. I think it’s really good the way it is. Everybody is always trying to change recipes to more modern tastes but kale soup us one thing that you don’t need to change.

      Reply
      • Cooking Chat

        March 17, 2021 at 8:54 am

        Thanks for stopping by, Duarte. I totally respect your preference for sticking with the more traditional ingredients for this recipe. I realize the traditional recipe might not “need” change, but I have fun experimenting and the results of this one were quite tasty…many who have tried my version really like it!

        Reply
  41. Shelo

    October 05, 2022 at 8:52 pm

    I made it!! Anxious to taste it!!
    Question: Do I drain & rinse the kidney beans before adding to the soup??
    p.s. I actually had a some leftover butternut squash on hand, so the soup proved a perfect way to use it!!!!

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      October 06, 2022 at 6:01 am

      Glad you had a chance to make it! Yes, drain and rinse the kidney beans.

      Reply
  42. Jen

    October 07, 2022 at 12:05 pm

    Absolutely amazing!!! I used ground sausage and didn’t have any carrots and it turned out perfectly. Even the kids loved it! This will be a great staple comfort meal during the cold winter months!

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      October 08, 2022 at 4:39 pm

      Sounds like some good adaptations, glad you liked it!

      Reply
  43. Maia

    November 19, 2022 at 9:15 pm

    My husbands family is Portuguese and I love to make this during the cold seasons. Sometimes I’ll add pumpkin pie spice or just cinnamon too to switch it up

    Reply
    • Maia

      November 19, 2022 at 9:17 pm

      Also sautéing the linguica with a little Porto adds a nice touch too

      Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      November 20, 2022 at 6:50 am

      Thanks for the feedback, Maia, and for sharing those variations. sounds tasty!

      Reply
  44. Ann

    January 30, 2023 at 11:30 am

    Last summer I had a bowl of Portuguese soup in a restaurant for the first time. I really liked it and have been thinking about trying to make it since. I came across your recipe, which sounded great, and decided to give it a try. I only had hot Italian sausage and canned Great Northern beans on hand and a huge sweet potato I’ve been trying to use up. lol I have to say the recipe was very straight forward and came out fantastic! I made fresh buttermilk biscuits to go with it and what a delicious meal that made! Thanks so much for your knowledge and keep on posting!

    Reply
    • Cooking Chat

      January 30, 2023 at 7:55 pm

      Glad you enjoyed it and were able to replicate that initial discovery of Portuguese soup!

      Reply

Trackbacks

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Hi there! I'm David. I love creating tasty, (mostly) healthy recipes, finding great wine pairings, and sharing good food with family and friends. learn more about me!

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