Portugese Kale Soup
A hearty Portuguese kale soup featuring tender beef, flavorful linguica and Chirico sausages, hearty potatoes, kidney beans, and fresh kale, perfect for comforting family meals.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large stew pot or Dutch oven, sauté onion in two tablespoons vegetable oil.
- Add stew beef and brown.
- Add water to half the volume of the pan.
- Add peeled and sliced potatoes.
- Cook over medium heat for 30 minutes.
- Add linguica and Chirico sausages.
- Add cleaned, trimmed, and chopped kale.
- Continue cooking for 30 minutes.
- Add undrained red kidney beans.
- Cook until kale is tender.
- Cool the soup and refrigerate.
- Reheat before serving for better flavor.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a bay leaf while cooking. If you can't find linguica or Chirico, you can substitute with any smoked sausage. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste, as different sausages can vary in saltiness. To make it vegetarian, replace the meats with mushrooms and add more beans for protein, similar to a hearty Creole-Style Soup.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the soup hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for added depth. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread for dipping. A light salad or roasted vegetables make excellent side dishes, making it a complete meal. For a comforting twist, enjoy it alongside Polish Potato And Sausage Soup for a delightful soup night.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors develop further after a day, making it even tastier. To reheat, warm the soup on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions, but add a splash of water if it thickens too much.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Portugese Kale Soup contains roughly 227 calories, with 17g protein, 33g carbohydrates, and 4g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (42% of the Daily Value), protein (35% of the Daily Value), and iron (23% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 750mg per serving (33% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of meat in this soup?
Yes, you can customize this soup with your choice of meat. Chicken or pork would work well in place of the beef. If opting for chicken, consider using thighs for more flavor. Ensure that the cooking time is adjusted accordingly to ensure everything is cooked through.
Is it possible to make this soup in advance?
Absolutely! This soup actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld. Prepare it up to the point of adding the beans, cool, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, simply reheat and add the beans for a fresh finish.
Can I freeze the soup?
Yes, this soup freezes well. Allow it to cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. It can be stored for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm on the stove, adding a little water if necessary to adjust the consistency.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).