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Close-up of a hearty Christmas soup with sausage, potatoes, kale, and beans in a white bowl.
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Hearty Christmas Soup with Kielbasa and Kale

A rich, comforting one‑pot holiday soup loaded with smoky kielbasa, tender beans, red potatoes, and hearty kale — perfect for chilly evenings or festive gatherings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 6 bowls
Course: Dinner, Soup
Cuisine: Comfort, Holiday
Calories: 500
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Soup Base
  • 1 lb kielbasa, sliced 1/4‑inch thick on the bias
  • vegetable oil, as needed
  • 8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb dried red kidney beans, soaked soaked at least 4 hours or overnight
  • 2 quarts unsalted chicken broth
  • 2 tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
  • 1 lb red potatoes, cut into 1/2‑inch cubes
  • 6 oz fresh kale, washed and torn into 1‑inch pieces
  • 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar plus more to taste
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Equipment

  • Large Dutch oven or heavy‑bottomed pot
  • Sharp kitchen knife
  • Cutting board
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • Wooden spoon or ladle

Method
 

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Stir in soaked red kidney beans, chicken broth, and kosher salt. Cover and simmer for about 45 minutes until beans soften.
  4. Add cubed red potatoes to the pot. Cover and continue cooking for about 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
  5. Add torn kale and cook an additional 10 minutes until kale is wilted but still vibrant.
  6. Stir in red wine vinegar and freshly ground black pepper. Return the cooked kielbasa to the pot and heat through.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or vinegar as desired before serving hot.

Notes

This satisfying Christmas soup blends smoky kielbasa with hearty beans, tender potatoes, and fresh kale for a delicious holiday centerpiece. Use canned kidney beans (drained and rinsed) to cut cooking time if you prefer. Serve with crusty bread. Approximate nutritional breakdown depends on specific ingredients. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}