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    Home > Brazilian Recipes

    Published: Mar 10, 2012 · Modified: Jun 6, 2020 by Denise Browning · "This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission." · 3 Comments

    Gluten-Free Portuguese Kale Soup (Caldo Verde)

    Gluten Free

    Jump to Recipe ↓

    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!

    A bowl of Portuguese kale soup

    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.

    serving Portuguese kale soup in a bowl

     

    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.

     

    A bowl of Portuguese kale soup

    Make Ahead

    The soup can be refrigerated for up 2 days. Do not freeze otherwise it will be gritty. 

     

    PIN & ENJOY!

    close up image of Portuguese kale soup (caldo verde)

     

    A bowl of Portuguese kale soup
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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
    Keywords:caldo verde, Portuguese kale soup
    Prep Time 12 minutes
    Cook Time 18 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings 5
    Calories432 kcal
    Author Denise Browning

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil plus more for drizzling
    • 1 pound sausage (Portuguese choriço or other) sliced ¼ inch (½ 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 ½ kg, smoked and spicy sausage
    • 1 large yellow onion chopped
    • 6 garlic cloves minced
    • ¼ cup white wine
    • 8 cups water
    • 1 pound Yukon potatoes peeled and cut into chunks, about ½ kg
    • 4 tablespoons chicken flavor bouillon powder
    • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
    • 1 pound kale stems discarded and leaves finely shredded, about ½ kg
    • 1 pinch dried oregano (optional)

    Instructions

    • 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 can be served as accompaniments.

    Recipe Notes

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

    Nutrition

    Calories: 432kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 1865mg | Potassium: 1102mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 9075IU | Vitamin C: 122.8mg | Calcium: 205mg | Iron: 5.7mg

    ** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.

    Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.

    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Comment and rate the recipe. Also follow us on Pinterest at @easyanddelish for more delish recipes.

     

    « Spinach in Coconut Milk (Bredo no Coco)
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    Filed Under: Brazilian Recipes, Easy And Delish, Easy Gluten-Free Recipes, Easy One Pot Meals Tagged With: Kale, one pot, Portuguese, Potatoes, Sausage

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. didi says

      January 08, 2014 at 4:01 pm

      I HAD to leave a comment just to say how beautiful was your story with caldo verde. Truly a great read.

      Reply
      • Denise Browning says

        January 08, 2014 at 6:08 pm

        Thanks so much, Didi! I am glad that you enjoyed my post... I do appreciate your visit! Wishing you a wonderful year!

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. 85+ Easy Freezer Meals To Make Ahead on a Budget - Easy and Delish says:
      February 8, 2021 at 8:30 pm

      […] 28. Caldo Verde Soup — This is an easy Portuguese soup made with kale, potatoes, and sausage. To make it into a freezer meal, freeze in containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the freezer and then reheat. […]

      Reply

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