Prepare to discover your new favorite holiday tradition! This Christmas soup with kielbasa and kale is the ultimate comfort food. It offers a rich, satisfying experience, perfect for warming up during chilly evenings or gathering loved ones. Dive into its deep flavors and hearty ingredients, making it an ideal centerpiece for your festive table. This easy recipe ensures a delicious meal without the fuss.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Soup
This isn’t just any soup; it’s a culinary hug in a bowl, designed for simplicity and incredible taste.
- Simple One-Pot Preparation: Minimize cleanup with a recipe that comes together beautifully in a single pot.
- Delicious and Satisfying: Every spoonful of this hearty winter soup is packed with savory kielbasa, tender beans, and fresh kale.
- Perfect for Cold Weather: Its warming ingredients are ideal for cozy evenings and festive celebrations.
- Crowd-pleasing Holiday Meal: This festive soup is a guaranteed hit, easily feeding a hungry crowd during the busiest season.
- Customizable to Dietary Needs: Adapt ingredients like broth or sausage to suit various preferences.
Hearty Christmas Soup with Kielbasa and Kale
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat a large Dutch oven over medium‑low. Add sliced kielbasa and cook for about 15 minutes, allowing it to render most of its fat. Remove kielbasa and set aside.
- Check the pot; add vegetable oil if needed to total about 2 teaspoons of fat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly.
- Stir in soaked red kidney beans, chicken broth, and kosher salt. Cover and simmer for about 45 minutes until beans soften.
- Add cubed red potatoes to the pot. Cover and continue cooking for about 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Add torn kale and cook an additional 10 minutes until kale is wilted but still vibrant.
- Stir in red wine vinegar and freshly ground black pepper. Return the cooked kielbasa to the pot and heat through.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or vinegar as desired before serving hot.
Notes
Ingredients
Gather these simple, wholesome ingredients to create your comforting Christmas soup. Each component plays a vital role in building its robust flavor profile.
- 1 pound kielbasa, sliced 1/4-inch thick, on the bias
- Vegetable oil, as needed
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound dried red kidney beans, soaked for at least 4 hours or overnight
- 2 quarts unsalted chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1 pound red potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 6 ounces fresh kale, washed, rinsed, and torn into 1-inch pieces
- 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar, plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Notes & Substitutions
For optimal flavor and convenience, consider these tips and alternatives.
- Kielbasa: Use any smoked sausage, such as chorizo for a spicy kick, or even plant-based sausages for a vegetarian option. You can also try Italian sausage.
- Beans: While dried beans offer superior texture, feel free to use 3 (15-ounce) cans of drained and rinsed kidney beans for a quicker prep time. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Kale: Fresh spinach or collard greens are excellent alternatives. Add spinach near the very end, as it wilts much faster.
- Broth: Chicken broth provides a rich base, but vegetable broth or beef broth work wonderfully too, depending on your preference.
- Vinegar: Red wine vinegar adds brightness, but apple cider vinegar or white vinegar can also provide a similar tang.
Equipment
You only need a few basic kitchen tools to make this delicious festive soup.
- Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot (7-quart is ideal)
- Sharp kitchen knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or ladle for stirring and serving
Instructions
Follow these clear, step-by-step instructions to create your hearty Christmas soup. Making this comforting meal is straightforward and enjoyable.
First, brown the kielbasa. Slice 1 pound of kielbasa into 1/4-inch thick pieces, on the bias. Place the sliced kielbasa in a 7-quart Dutch oven and set it over medium-low heat. Cook for about 15 minutes, allowing it to render most of its fat. Remove the browned kielbasa from the pot and set it aside.
Next, prepare the aromatics. Check the pot; if you have less than 2 teaspoons of rendered fat, add enough vegetable oil to reach 2 teaspoons. Add 8 cloves of minced garlic to the fat in the pot. Cook the garlic for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent it from burning. The garlic should be fragrant, not browned.
Add the base ingredients for your flavorful Christmas soup. Stir in 1 pound of dried red kidney beans (previously soaked for at least 4 hours or overnight), 2 quarts of unsalted chicken broth, and 2 teaspoons of kosher salt. Cover the pot and cook for 45 minutes, allowing the beans to soften and the flavors to meld.
Introduce the potatoes. After 45 minutes, stir in 1 pound of red potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Cover the pot again and continue cooking for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The potatoes should become tender but still hold their shape.
Incorporate the kale. Toss 6 ounces of washed, rinsed, and torn kale into the pot. Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes, or just until the kale is tender but not mushy. It should wilt down beautifully into the soup.
Finish with seasoning and serve. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper into the pot. Stir to combine these bright flavors. Return the reserved kielbasa to the pot and cook just until it is heated through. Taste the Christmas soup and adjust the seasoning as desired, adding more vinegar and salt if needed. Serve your hearty bowl hot immediately.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Ensure your festive soup turns out perfectly every time with these helpful tips.
- Perfect Kielbasa Browning: Do not rush browning the kielbasa. Allowing it to cook slowly renders more fat and develops a deeper, more savory flavor for the soup base.
- Prevent Garlic from Burning: Garlic cooks quickly. Keep it moving in the pot and watch it closely to ensure it becomes fragrant without scorching, which can make it bitter.
- Ensure Beans are Fully Tender: Dried beans need ample cooking time. If your beans are still firm after the recommended time, add a little more broth or water and continue cooking until they are perfectly tender.
- Avoid Overcooking Potatoes or Kale: Add potatoes when beans are nearly done to prevent them from becoming mushy. Kale only needs a short time to wilt and tenderize; overcooking makes it less vibrant.
- Season Gradually and Taste Often: Salt and vinegar levels are personal. Add seasonings a little at a time and taste before adding more, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor in your hearty Christmas soup.
Serving, Storage, and Variations
Make this festive soup your own with various serving suggestions, proper storage, and exciting twists.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this warming Christmas soup with a selection of accompaniments. A slice of warm, crusty bread is perfect for soaking up every last drop. Garnish individual bowls with fresh parsley or dill for a burst of color and herbaceous flavor. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese adds a lovely salty, umami finish.
Storage
This hearty soup makes excellent leftovers. Store any cooled portions in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze the soup in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight before gently reheating it on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
Variations
Easily adapt this recipe to suit different tastes or dietary needs.
- Add Other Root Vegetables: Enhance the vegetable content by adding diced carrots, parsnips, or sweet potatoes along with the red potatoes.
- Make it Spicy: Introduce a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce when adding the garlic for a warming kick.
- Create a Creamy Version: Stir in a splash of heavy cream, coconut milk, or a dollop of cream cheese at the very end for a richer, velvety texture.
- Adapt for a Vegetarian Option: Omit the kielbasa entirely and use vegetable broth. Sauté mushrooms or extra root vegetables at the beginning for added depth and heartiness in your vegetarian Christmas soup.
Nutrition
This satisfying Christmas soup is packed with wholesome ingredients, making it a nutritious choice for any meal. The kielbasa and beans provide a significant source of protein and fiber, promoting satiety. Kale and potatoes contribute essential vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin K, Vitamin C, and potassium. This hearty soup offers a well-rounded meal. For precise nutritional information, consider using an online nutritional calculator with your specific ingredients.
As noted by WebMD, kale offers an abundance of nutrients that support overall health, including eye health and heart health.
Nutrition Table (Approximate per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 450-550 |
| Protein | 25-35g |
| Fat | 20-30g |
| Carbohydrates | 40-50g |
| Fiber | 10-15g |
| Sodium | 800-1000mg |
FAQ
Got questions about making this delightful festive soup? Here are some quick answers.
Can I use canned kidney beans?
Yes, absolutely! Use three 15-ounce cans, drained and rinsed, and reduce the initial cooking time with the broth to about 15-20 minutes.
Is this soup freezer-friendly?
Yes, this hearty Christmas soup freezes beautifully for up to three months in an airtight container. Thaw overnight and reheat gently.
How can I make it vegetarian?
Omit the kielbasa and use vegetable broth. You can add extra vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers for more substance.
Can I add other vegetables?
Feel free to incorporate diced carrots, celery, or zucchini. Add them with the potatoes or a bit earlier, depending on their cooking time.
What spices enhance the flavor?
Smoked paprika, a bay leaf during the bean cooking stage, or a pinch of dried thyme can deepen the savory notes of this fantastic Christmas soup.
Conclusion
This Hearty Christmas Soup with Kielbasa and Kale truly embodies comfort and holiday cheer in a single pot. Its rich flavors and satisfying textures make it an instant classic, perfect for warming up chilly evenings or serving at festive gatherings. We encourage you to try this delightful recipe and experience the simple joy of a homemade, hearty meal. Share your creations and favorite variations of this wonderful Christmas soup with us!
