Description
A hearty and comforting Portuguese Bean Soup featuring smoky sausage, ham, and bacon simmered with vegetables and greens in a flavorful broth. This traditional soup is perfect for a cozy meal and combines savory meats, tender vegetables, and fragrant herbs for a satisfying dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Liquids
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 medium potatoes, diced
- 1/2 cup diced tomato
- 1/2 cup kale, chopped
Meats
- 1 cup smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 cup ham, cubed
- 1/2 cup bacon, chopped
Herbs and Spices
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat Olive Oil: Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the olive oil, preparing the base for sautéing the vegetables.
- Sauté Onions: Once the oil is hot, add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent, developing sweetness and flavor.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, enhancing the aroma of the soup.
- Cook Vegetables: Add the sliced carrots and diced potatoes to the pot, cooking for 3-4 minutes while stirring occasionally to begin softening the vegetables.
- Add Meats: Incorporate the sliced smoked sausage, cubed ham, and chopped bacon into the pot, mixing them well with the vegetables and allowing the flavors to meld.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and water, stirring to combine all ingredients evenly in the pot.
- Add Seasonings and Tomatoes: Stir in the diced tomatoes, dried oregano, dried thyme, ground black pepper, and the bay leaf to build layers of flavor.
- Simmer Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have developed.
- Add Kale and Optional Spice: Stir in the chopped kale and red pepper flakes (if using), allowing the kale to wilt and blend into the soup.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust the salt if needed to balance the flavors perfectly.
- Final Simmer and Serve: Let the soup simmer for an additional 5 minutes, then remove the bay leaf before serving to complete the dish.
Notes
- You can substitute smoked sausage with chorizo or kielbasa for a different smoky flavor.
- Use kale or other hearty greens such as spinach or Swiss chard depending on preference.
- For a thicker soup, reduce the amount of water or mash some of the potatoes into the broth.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice tolerance for mild or spicy versions.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld.
