Cozy Portuguese Kale Soup
We eat soup all winter long. At least a couple times a week I find myself standing over a stew pot, giving it the final stir before ladling into bowls and sitting down for a cozy meal. Some of my favorite winter soups include heavily-seasoned ingredients and lots of fresh produce. Today’s Caldo Verde soup is the ultimate winter soup in my opinion. It’s rich and hearty with lots of chunks and a robust sausage essence. Caldo Verde, meaning green broth, is the Portuguese counterpart to the Italian Zuppa Toscana. It involves Portugal’s regional sausage, greens, and potatoes with slight alterations that offer a unique flavor.
Our Favorite Caldo Verde Recipe Variation
Since Portuguese Caldo Verde Soup is a rustic comfort food historically made in homes all over the country, there isn’t just one way to make it. Many variations of this Portuguese Sausage-Greens-Potato Soup combination exist. It is sometimes called Portuguese Bean Soup, Kale Soup, or Green Soup. Some use kale, while others use collard greens. Some include beans; others do not. Most call for a Portuguese hard sausage with a strong garlic flavor called Chouriço. Other recipes use Linguiça sausage. Portuguese sausages are not readily available in the United States, therefore, you can substitute hard Spanish chorizo for the Chouriço. It is very similar. Some might even say it’s the same thing. wink Please Note: This Caldo Verde Recipe (Portuguese Soup) is not a strictly authentic version… It’s more of a Portuguese-American variation introduced to me by a Portuguese immigrant. This is how her family makes this soup here in the United States. However, it offers a bold comforting flavor that is reminiscent of traditional Portuguese soup. In fact, I would dare to say my new Portuguese friend improved on the original recipe.
Caldo Verde Recipe Adjustments
After tasting Caldo Verde recipes made by others, then experimenting with my own recipe, I decided I like the addition of white beans, sherry, smoked paprika, and a little heavy cream at the end to provide a luxurious silky texture. Although adding paprika and cream eliminates the green in the green broth, they create a marvelous flavor and texture that intensifies the overall appeal of this traditional soup. Trust me, you will adore this kicked-up Portuguese Caldo Verde Soup recipe. So much so, you might want to kick your classic Zuppa Toscana recipe to the curb!
Ingredients You Need
Oil – use a good quality extra virgin olive oil Onions Garlic Potatoes – yukon gold or russet potatoes Kale – chopped Chicken broth Sherry – cooking sherry is fine Lemon zest Smoked paprika Portuguese sausage – spicy pork sausages White beans Heavy cream
How To Make Portuguese Soup
Tips & Tricks
Finely chop the kale so there are no large chunks in the soup, and they will get super tender that way! For a bit of extra spice, add a dash of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper! If you don’t want to cook with alcohol, skip the sherry and replace it with more broth!
What is Caldo Verde?
Caldo Verde means “green broth,” and it gets its green color from leafy greens like kale or collard greens. This recipe is inspired by the traditional Portuguese soup, Caldo Verde, made with a few adjustments.
How long does this Portugues Bean Soup Recipe last?
This soup will keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container. You can warm it back up on the stovetop to make it taste like it did the first day you made it!
Can I freeze this soup?
This Caldo Verde recipe can be frozen and kept in the freezer for up to 6 months! When you are ready to reheat it, place it in the fridge the night before you want to make it, to thaw, and then warm it up on the stovetop when you are ready to eat it.
Do I double all the ingredients if I want to double this recipe?
Yes! This is a great recipe to double and freeze half for later. Our “Servings Slider” tool on the recipe card can help you determine how much of each ingredient you need for the amount you want to make.
Can I make this without the sausage?
You can make Portuguese Green Soup without the sausage, although it loses its unique flavor. If you want to omit the sausage for dietary reasons, you could use vegan chorizo.
More Amazing Soup Recipes
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