Kale, Potato and Kielbasa Soup

When I think of warm and comforting soup, this is usually the one that comes to mind, it is easy to prep, it has a flavorful broth, and my kids actually love it. As I have mentioned before, my 5 year old loves kale and I think this soup was one of the reasons why she loves it. The soup is packed with everything you need: protein, greens, healthy carbs, and nothing strange. We love to use Pederson’s Farms No-Sugar Kielbasa and there are so any other great options out there now. We usually enjoy some garlic bread on the side, so yummy dipped in the broth.

This soup has been in the family for years, only difference is I used to use Cannellini beans in place of potatoes. If you are watching your carbs, just swap half of the potatoes for beans and the other half some cauliflower! Vegans can easily make this by using your favorite plant-based sausages. It makes a big batch and leftovers freeze and thaw great, I suggest portioning out for lunches or dinners!

Kale, Potato, and Kielbasa Soup

• 2 Tablespoons oil or ghee

• 1 large onion (about 2 cups), diced

• 3 cloves garlic (1/2 Tablespoon), minced

• 1 link (14 oz) Kielbasa - No Sugar if Whole30 or Plant based fave, halved and sliced into half moons

• 4 medium (3 cups) Russet potatoes, cubed

• 1 can (15 oz) Petite Diced tomatoes

• 1 box (32 oz) chicken or vegetable broth

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 4 cups kale, de-stemmed and chopped

• 2 teaspoons salt, divided + more to taste

• pepper to taste

- In a pot, heat the oil at medium-high heat then add the onions, season with 1 teaspoon salt and a little pepper then cook for about 5 minutes or until caramelized, stirring occasionally.

- Add the garlic and stir for a minute. Add the sausage and stir occasionally until it is browned. Add the potatoes and toss with the onions and sausage.

- Pour in the tomatoes, broth, and add the spices and about teaspoon of salt. Let simmer and bubble until the potatoes are tender.

- Drop in the chopped kale and stir to combine and wilt the kale. Check for seasonings and adjust if needed. Serve!

A simple soup requires simple ingredients. I included the beans we use on occasion too.

Onions chopped and cooked. Season right away so they give off as much liquid as possible to start the browning process.

This is the Kielbasa we use, we grab whatever no-sugar sausage we can find on sale usually. Add the chopped sausage you love and give it a good stir!

Time to dump in most of what is left - crushed tomatoes, broth, cubed potatoes, and seasonings. Stir and let it simmer until the potatoes are tender.

Take your kale, I took a short cut and used the pre-chopped kind, just making sure the stems were removed because they are tough. Drop it in the soup, it looks like a ton but the greens will wilt as you stir and the soup will cook it down.