Gluten-Free Portuguese Kale Soup (Caldo Verde)

Portuguese kale soup is a traditional gluten-free and dairy-free soup from Portugal, very popular in Brazil, made from potatoes, sausage and kale. It’s easy and quick to make!

Cold.  Hot.  Cold again… This is the weather in Texas lately.

On a cold day like today, what would be the perfect dish for dinner (or for lunch, too)? Soup, of course!

While growing up, in my family’s repertoire there were basically 3 soups:

• Bacon and Beans Soup (Sopa de Feijão),
• Chicken Soup (Canja de Galinha) ,
• and Caldo Verde (Portuguese Kale Soup or “Green Soup”).

Hmmmm… What to make today?  I did not have to give it a second thought.  Portuguese kale soup!

You may be thinking: ‘Why a Portuguese soup if you are from Brazil?’

Although this soup is originally from Northern Portugal’s Minho region, it became a popular dish throughout all Portugal and Brazil.

Brazil was once a colony of Portugal, and for a while during the Napoleonic Wars, was even its imperial capital and the home of the royal family.

The color of the kale gave the soup its name. 

Broa is the bread that usually accompanies caldo verde.

For instance, broa is a cornbread leavened with yeast which takes fennel in Brazil.

Another reason to choose this Portuguese kale soup today instead of the other two mentioned above, is because it warms not only my tummy, but also my heart, too.  

My memories of eating this dish back in Brazil are many… and wonderful!

This soup has been present for years and years at the table of my family, which is descended from Portuguese immigrants to Brazil.  

I can say that Portuguese kale soup or Caldo Verde is a family tradition passed down from generation to generation.

HOW TO MAKE PORTUGUESE KALE SOUP (CALDO VERDE)

In a large heavy pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat.

Brown the sliced sausage. Transfer only the sausage to a bowl and reserve.

Leave any oil left over in the pan to sauté the onion and garlic.

Using the same pan, heat the remaining tablespoon olive oil and add the onion.

Sauté over medium-high heat until translucent (about 3 minutes).

Then, add the garlic and sauté until slightly golden.

Add the wine and let reduce a little bit (1 minute). Add the potatoes, water, the chicken bouillon, salt, and pepper.

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer over low heat until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.

Blend the soup well in a blender and return to the pan. Add the reserved sausage and the finely shredded kale.

Let simmer until the kale is wilted (about 3 minutes). Taste and adjust the salt and pepper.

Serve in bowls, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with dried oregano.

A crusty bread or preferably a Portuguese Corn Bread (Broa de Milho) and a rich white wine make great accompaniments.

Make Ahead: The soup can be refrigerated for up 2 days.

PIN & ENJOY!

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Portuguese Kale Soup (Caldo Verde)

Portuguese kale soup is a traditional gluten-free soup from Portugal, very popular in Brazil, made from potatoes, sausage and kale. It's easy and quick to make!

Course Entree

Cuisine Portuguese

Keyword caldo verde, Portuguese kale soup

Prep Time 12 minutes

Cook Time 18 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 5

Calories 432 kcal

Author Denise Browning

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil plus more for drizzling
• 1 pound sausage (Portuguese choriço or other) sliced 1/4 inch (1/2 cm) thick [ NB: If Portuguese linguiça is not available in your area, any smoked and spicy sausage will work, such as Kielbasa, Andouille, etc.], about 1/2 kg, smoked and spicy sausage
• 1 large yellow onion chopped
• 6 garlic cloves minced
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 8 cups water
• 1 pound Yukon potatoes peeled and cut into chunks, about 1/2 kg
• 4 tablespoons chicken flavor bouillon powder
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
• 1 pound kale stems discarded and leaves finely shredded, about 1/2 kg
• 1 pinch dried oregano (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large heavy pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the sliced sausage. Transfer only the sausage to a bowl and reserve. Leave any oil left over in the pan to sauté the onion and garlic.

2. Using the same pan, heat the remaining tablespoon olive oil and add the onion. Sauté over medium-high heat until translucent (about 3 minutes). Then, add the garlic and sauté until slightly golden. 

3. Add the wine and let reduce a little bit (1 minute). Add the potatoes, water, the chicken bouillon, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer over low heat until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.

4. Blend the soup well in a blender and return to the pan. Add the reserved sausage and the finely shredded kale. Let simmer until the kale is wilted (about 3 minutes). Taste and adjust the salt and pepper.
5. Serve in bowls, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with dried oregano. A crusty bread or preferably a Portuguese Corn Bread (Broa de Milho) and a rich white wine can be served as accompaniments.

Recipe Notes

Make Ahead: The soup can be refrigerated for up 2 days.

Nutrition Facts

Portuguese Kale Soup (Caldo Verde)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 432 Calories from Fat 252

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 28g 43%

Saturated Fat 9g 45%

Cholesterol 64mg 21%

Sodium 1865mg 78%

Potassium 1102mg 31%

Total Carbohydrates 25g 8%

Dietary Fiber 2g 8%

Sugars 1g

Protein 20g 40%

Vitamin A 181.5%

Vitamin C 148.9%

Calcium 20.5%

Iron 31.8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.