Portuguese Sausage And Lentil Soup
A hearty Portuguese sausage and lentil soup packed with smoky, savory flavors and tender greens, perfect for comforting meals and satisfying a group of friends.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil ⓘ
- 1 lb. Portuguese sausage ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. smoked ham, chopped ⓘ
- 2 large onions, chopped ⓘ
- 1 large green pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 1 large carrot, chopped ⓘ
- 4 cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. thyme ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. cumin ⓘ
- 8 to 9 cups chicken stock ⓘ
- 1 can peeled tomatoes (14 oz.) ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. dried lentils ⓘ
- Salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- 12 spinach leaves, finely shredded ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook the Portuguese sausage whole, then cool, slice, and set aside.
- In a heavy soup pot, sauté chopped smoked ham, onions, green pepper, and carrot in olive oil until tender.
- Stir in thyme, cumin, and bay leaf, cooking for another 5 minutes.
- Add all other ingredients except shredded spinach and sausage slices.
- Partially cover the pot and simmer gently for 2 hours.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Add the shredded spinach leaves and the sliced sausage, then serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, consider using homemade chicken stock. If you can't find Portuguese sausage, you can substitute with chorizo for a similar spice profile. Adding diced potatoes can also enhance the heartiness of the soup. If you prefer a vegetarian option, omit the sausage and ham and use vegetable stock instead.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty soup with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Chicken Chablis for a delightful dinner. For added freshness, garnish with chopped parsley or a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of water or stock if it seems too thick. The flavors will deepen after a day, making it even more delicious.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Portuguese Sausage And Lentil Soup contains roughly 1223 calories, with 40g protein, 146g carbohydrates, and 65g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (99% of the Daily Value), and calcium (89% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2276mg per serving (99% 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 canned lentils instead of dried?
Yes, you can use canned lentils to save time. Just drain and rinse them, and add them in the last 10-15 minutes of cooking to heat through without becoming mushy.
Is this soup suitable for freezing?
Yes, this soup freezes well. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm on the stovetop.
Can I add other vegetables to the soup?
Absolutely! Feel free to incorporate vegetables like kale, zucchini, or even diced potatoes. Just add them in during the sautéing step for best results.
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).