Kale and White Bean Soup With Spicy Sausage

Sausage, bean, and kale soup in bowl
Diana Rattray
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 45 mins
Servings: 8 servings

This hearty white bean soup is chock full of flavor and textures thanks to the spicy sausage, chopped kale, tomatoes, and diced vegetables. Satisfying and healthy, it is perfect for lunch or dinner on a cold day, especially when served with hot baked cornbread or warm crusty rolls.

Because this recipe uses canned beans, it is quick to make. You can use any type of white bean you like, such as great northern beans or cannellini; navy beans may be too small and get lost in the soup. When it comes to the sausage, you can go with a spicy andouille sausage or spicy Italian sausage; if you'd rather avoid the heat, Polish sausage or another type of smoked sausage may be used as well.

This kale and white bean soup comes together easily; simply sautee the diced onion, bell pepper, celery, and carrots in oil along with the sliced sausage, add the kale and garlic and cook briefly, and then add the rest of the ingredients and let simmer for about 20 minutes. The result is a delicious and filling soup that tastes like a meal.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 cup diced onion

  • 1 cup diced red bell pepper

  • 1 cup diced celery

  • 1/2 cup diced carrot

  • 8 to 12 ounces andouille sausage, or smoked sausages, diced or thinly sliced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 bunch kale, chopped, about 8 to 10 cups

  • 4 cups chicken broth

  • 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

  • 1 (15-ounce) can white beans, Great Northern or navy beans, drained and rinsed

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 dash Tabasco sauce, or similar hot pepper sauce, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.

  3. Add the diced onions, bell pepper, celery, carrots, and sausage. Sauté, stirring, until the onion is just tender.

  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the kale and garlic; cover and continue cooking for 2 minutes.

  5. Add the remaining ingredients; cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.

  6. Taste and add more salt if needed.

  7. Enjoy.

Recipe Variations

  • Add either dried herbs along with the broth or fresh herbs at the end of cooking time.
  • If you'd like the soup to be a bit thicker, add about 1 tablespoon of flour before adding the kale and garlic. Stir well to incorporate, cooking for a minute or two.
  • For a creamy finish, stir in some heavy cream or half-and-half at the end and cook gently to warm through.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
320 Calories
17g Fat
31g Carbs
14g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 320
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 17g 22%
Saturated Fat 5g 23%
Cholesterol 28mg 9%
Sodium 1214mg 53%
Total Carbohydrate 31g 11%
Dietary Fiber 11g 39%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 14g
Vitamin C 105mg 525%
Calcium 198mg 15%
Iron 4mg 20%
Potassium 1036mg 22%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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