Oh, winter! When the days get short and the wind howls outside, there’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of soup to chase away the chill. Seriously, you just *have* to try this recipe for Smoky Sausage & Kale Winter Soup – it’s my go-to when I want something hearty, delicious, and super comforting. I swear, the combination of smoky sausage and earthy kale is pure magic. I remember the first time I made this soup; my kitchen smelled so amazing, and the taste? Forget about it! It’s so good, and the best part is it’s super easy, perfect for those busy weeknights when you still crave a homemade, warm meal. Any home cook can handle this. Trust me!
Why You’ll Love This *Smoky Sausage & Kale Winter Soup*
Okay, let me tell you why I’m obsessed with this soup! You’re gonna be too, I swear.
- It’s ready in under an hour, seriously! Perfect for those weeknights.
- That smoky sausage? Pure flavor explosion!
- Kale is packed with vitamins. Sneaking in those greens is a win!
- It’s super customizable. Add extra veggies or even some beans…go crazy!
- The flavors just get better the next day. Leftovers are a dream come true.
Honestly, what’s not to love?
Ingredients for the Best *Smoky Sausage & Kale Winter Soup*
Alright, so here’s what you’ll need to make this super tasty Smoky Sausage & Kale Winter Soup. Don’t worry, it’s a pretty simple list, and you probably already have some of this stuff in your fridge or pantry! Gotta love that. Here’s exactly what I use. Feel free to adjust based on your family’s fave flavors, of course!
- 1 pound of Italian sausage – the kind in the casings, but take ’em off, you know?
- 1 large onion, chopped – about 1 cup, give or take.
- 2 carrots, chopped – about a cup, give or take.
- 2 celery stalks, chopped – another half a cup or so.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced – because, hello, flavor!
- 8 cups chicken broth – I usually use low-sodium, but any kind will work.
- 1 bunch of kale, chopped – about 6-8 cups once it’s all cut up.
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika – this is where the magic happens!
- Salt and pepper to taste – always season as you go!
- Olive oil – just a splash to get things going.
How to Make *Smoky Sausage & Kale Winter Soup*: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, now for the fun part: actually making this amazing Smoky Sausage & Kale Winter Soup! Don’t you worry, it’s seriously easy. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a warm, delicious soup in no time. Ready? Let’s go!
Preparing the Sausage and Vegetables
First up, grab a big ol’ pot – like, your biggest one! Drizzle in a bit of olive oil and get it heated over medium heat. Now, squeeze that Italian sausage out of its casings right into the pot. Use a spoon or spatula to break it up as it cooks. You want it all crumbled and browned, about 5-7 minutes. Once it’s browned, take it out of the pot and set it aside. Next, toss in your chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook these guys until they soften up a bit, about 5-7 minutes. You want them tender, but not mushy.
Simmering the Soup and Adding the Kale
Next, add that minced garlic and cook for just a minute until fragrant – *careful*, don’t let it burn! Now, pour in your chicken broth and sprinkle in that smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring it all to a boil, then turn the heat down and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. This gives all the flavors a chance to mingle and get happy. After the simmering, add the cooked sausage back in (it’s party time!), along with your chopped kale. Stir it all up, and let the kale cook until it’s tender, which might take about 5-7 more minutes. Keep an eye on it!
Seasoning and Serving Your *Smoky Sausage & Kale Winter Soup*
Now, this is where you become the chef! Taste the soup, and season it with more salt and pepper to your liking. Does it need a little *zing*? Maybe a tiny pinch more of that smoked paprika. You know what tastes good to *you*! Serve it up hot and maybe with a crusty piece of bread for dipping. Yum! Trust me, this soup is a total crowd-pleaser and is perfect for everyone!
Tips for Success: Making the Perfect *Smoky Sausage & Kale Winter Soup*
Okay, friends, wanna make sure your Smoky Sausage & Kale Winter Soup is absolutely amazing? Here are a few things I’ve learned from making this soup a million times (okay, maybe not a million, but you get the idea!).
First off, don’t rush browning that sausage! Get it nice and crispy and broken up well – that’s where some of the best flavor comes from. For the kale, grab the freshest looking bunch you can find! The darker, the better – and make sure you remove the tough stems, nobody likes those. Finally, taste, taste, taste! Seasoning is KEY. Taste your soup as you go and don’t be shy about adding more salt, pepper, or that smoky paprika until it sings to your taste buds. You got this!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for *Smoky Sausage & Kale Winter Soup*
So, let’s chat about the ingredients a bit, yeah? Sometimes you need to swap things out, and that’s totally cool. This soup is super forgiving, and you can totally adjust it to your liking and whatever you have on hand. Don’t stress, it’ll still be delicious, I promise!
First, the sausage. I love Italian sausage because the fennel seeds give this soup such a great flavor, but honestly, you can use any kind you like! Chicken sausage, turkey sausage – they’ll all work just fine. Just make sure it’s a good quality sausage. Then, the kale: if you’re not a kale person (I get it!), you can absolutely substitute spinach or even Swiss chard. Just add it in at the end, and let it wilt. And hey, while you’re at it, feel free to toss in other veggies! Potatoes, white beans, and even some tomatoes would be super yummy!
Serving Suggestions for *Smoky Sausage & Kale Winter Soup*
Okay, so you’ve made this incredible Smoky Sausage & Kale Winter Soup, now what? You gotta round out the meal, right? I love serving this soup with some crusty bread for dipping – it’s perfect for soaking up all that delicious broth! Also, a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette always hits the spot. Or sometimes, if I’m feeling fancy, I’ll whip up some cheesy garlic bread. Yum!
Make-Ahead & Freezer Tips for *Smoky Sausage & Kale Winter Soup*
Okay, so listen, sometimes you just don’t have time to cook, even if you really *want* that yummy Smoky Sausage & Kale Winter Soup. I get it! So here are my best tips for making this soup ahead of time or freezing it for later. You can make the whole soup a day or two in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge—the flavors meld even more!
For freezing, let the soup cool completely before you put it in freezer-safe bags or containers. Be sure to leave a little room at the top for expansion. Thaw it in the fridge overnight, then reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave. Easy peasy!
Frequently Asked Questions About *Smoky Sausage & Kale Winter Soup*
Got questions about this Smoky Sausage & Kale Winter Soup? No problem! I get them all the time. Here are some of the most common questions I get asked, so you can make this soup perfectly the first time around. Hopefully, these little tips will help you out!
Can I use a different type of sausage?
Absolutely! Feel free to go wild with the sausage choices. I love Italian sausage for its flavor, but chorizo, or even chicken sausage, works great too. Just make sure the sausage is fully cooked before adding it back in.
How can I make this soup vegetarian?
Easy peasy! Swap out the sausage for your favorite plant-based sausage. Also, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Boom! You’ve got a super-tasty, veggie-friendly Smoky Sausage & Kale Winter Soup. Delicious!
What if I don’t have kale?
No kale? No problem! Spinach, Swiss chard, or even collard greens work well as substitutes. Just remember, these cook a bit faster, so add them in the last few minutes of simmering to keep them from getting too soggy. It’ll still be amazing, I swear!
Estimated Nutritional Information for *Smoky Sausage & Kale Winter Soup*
Alright, so here’s a rough idea of what you’re getting in each serving of this Smoky Sausage & Kale Winter Soup. Keep in mind, this is just an estimate, since it depends on the exact ingredients you use, and different sausages can vary! But, here’s what you can expect, roughly:
- Calories: Around 350
- Fat: About 20g
- Protein: Roughly 25g
- Carbs: Around 20g
- Fiber: About 5g
- Sugar: Roughly 5g
- Sodium: Around 600mg
- Saturated Fat: Around 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: Around 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: About 80mg
Yummy and (mostly!) good for you – what a combo!
Print
Smoky Sausage & Kale Winter Soup
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A hearty soup with smoky sausage, kale, and vegetables.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage, removed from casings
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 bunch kale, chopped
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot. Brown the sausage, breaking it up. Remove and set aside.
- Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Cook until softened.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in chicken broth. Add smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add kale and sausage. Cook until kale is tender.
- Season to taste and serve.
Notes
- You can add other vegetables like potatoes or beans.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and a plant-based sausage.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
