Description
Portuguese Bean Soup is a hearty and flavorful dish made with tender beans, savory meats, and a rich broth. Packed with spices and fresh vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and kale, this comforting soup is the perfect meal for chilly days or when you’re craving something cozy and satisfying.
Ingredients
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium carrots, sliced
2 medium potatoes, diced
1 cup smoked sausage, sliced
1/2 cup plant-based protein alternative (e.g., tempeh or seitan), diced
1/2 cup diced tomato
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup kale, chopped
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt to taste
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add Carrots and Potatoes: Stir in the sliced carrots and diced potatoes. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the Meats and Protein: Add the smoked sausage and plant-based protein alternative, stirring to combine.
- Add Broth and Spices: Pour in the chicken broth and water, stirring everything together. Add the diced tomatoes, oregano, thyme, pepper, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Add the Kale: Stir in the chopped kale and red pepper flakes (if using), cooking until the kale wilts.
- Season the Soup: Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt. Let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Remove the Bay Leaf and Serve: Remove the bay leaf from the soup. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and add more vegetables like celery, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
If you prefer, you can substitute the smoked sausage with a vegetarian sausage or tofu.
This soup gets even better the next day as the flavors meld, so it’s a great option for meal prep!
If you don’t have kale, spinach or collard greens work well as substitutes.
For added heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add cayenne pepper to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
