Hearty Christmas Soup Recipe with Sausage and Kale

Embrace the festive season with a bowl of pure comfort! This hearty Christmas soup recipe features savory sausage, tender potatoes, fresh kale, and wholesome beans. It’s the perfect warming dish for chilly evenings or a cozy holiday gathering. Simple to prepare yet bursting with rich flavors, this soup brings warmth and cheer to your table.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Soup

This delightful Christmas soup recipe quickly becomes a favorite for many reasons:

Perfect for chilly winter nights: Its warmth and hearty ingredients make it incredibly comforting on cold days.
Simple, straightforward steps: You’ll find this recipe easy to follow, even if you are a beginner in the kitchen.
Incredible depth of flavor: The combination of browned sausage, garlic, and red wine vinegar creates a truly satisfying taste profile.
Satisfying, comforting meal: Each spoonful offers a blend of textures and robust flavors that will leave you feeling completely content.
Great for holiday entertaining: It feeds a crowd beautifully and can even be made ahead of time, reducing stress during the busy festive period.
Family-friendly and customizable: Everyone will enjoy this delicious soup, and it’s easy to adapt to different preferences or dietary needs.

Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients to create your warming Christmas soup recipe:

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

You can easily adapt this Christmas soup recipe to suit your pantry or preferences. Feel free to make these simple adjustments.

Sausage: Kielbasa offers a distinct smoky flavor, but you can swap it for Italian sausage (sweet or hot) or even a plant-based sausage.
Beans: While red kidney beans are classic, consider using cannellini beans or great northern beans for a slightly different texture and milder flavor. Remember to soak dried beans thoroughly for optimal cooking.
Leafy Greens: If kale isn’t your favorite, fresh spinach or Swiss chard work wonderfully. Add them towards the end of cooking, as they wilt faster.
Potatoes: Red potatoes hold their shape well, but Yukon Golds or even russet potatoes (peeled) can be used. Just ensure they are cut into uniform pieces for even cooking.
Broth: Unsalted chicken broth provides a rich base. For a vegetarian option, simply use vegetable broth.
Seasoning: Adjust the salt and pepper to your taste. A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a lovely kick.

Equipment

You don’t need many special tools to create this delightful soup. Here’s what you’ll need:

A 7-quart Dutch oven or a large, heavy-bottomed pot is ideal for even cooking.
A sturdy wooden spoon or spatula for stirring.
A sharp knife and cutting board for prepping ingredients.
Measuring cups and spoons for accurate ingredient quantities.

Instructions

Follow these easy steps to prepare your comforting Christmas soup recipe with sausage and kale:

Brown the kielbasa: Place a 7-quart Dutch oven or a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat. Add the sliced kielbasa and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has rendered most of its fat and is nicely browned. Remove the kielbasa from the pot and set it aside on a plate.
Sauté the garlic: Check the fat remaining in the pot. If you have less than 2 teaspoons of rendered fat, add enough vegetable oil to make up the difference. Add the minced garlic to the fat and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent it from burning.
Simmer the beans: Stir in the pre-soaked beans, chicken broth, and 2 teaspoons of kosher salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Once simmering, cover the pot and cook for 45 minutes, allowing the beans to soften and absorb the flavors.
Add potatoes: After 45 minutes, carefully stir in the cubed red potatoes. Cover the pot again and continue to cook for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The potatoes should become tender when pierced with a fork.
Wilt the kale: Toss the fresh kale directly into the pot. Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes, or just until the kale is tender but still retains a bit of texture and hasn’t become mushy.
Season and finish: Sprinkle the red wine vinegar and freshly ground black pepper into the soup, then stir everything to combine thoroughly. Return the reserved browned kielbasa to the pot and cook just until it is heated through.
Serve hot: Taste the delicious Christmas soup and adjust the seasonings as needed, adding more vinegar and salt if desired. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

Making this Christmas soup recipe is straightforward, but these tips will ensure the best results every time:

Pre-soak beans: Don’t skip soaking dried beans; it significantly reduces cooking time and helps them cook evenly. Research suggests that pre-soaking beans can reduce cooking time and improve texture.
Don’t overcrowd the pot: Brown sausage in batches if necessary to ensure it gets a nice sear, which builds flavor.
Properly brown sausage: A deep brown crust on the sausage adds incredible depth and savory notes to the soup.
Avoid overcooking kale: Kale should be tender but still have a vibrant green color, not become limp and colorless.
Adjust seasoning throughout: Taste your soup at different stages and adjust salt, pepper, or vinegar as needed.
Thicker or thinner soup: For a thicker soup, mash some potatoes against the side of the pot. Add more broth for a thinner consistency.
Bland flavors: If your soup tastes a bit flat, a splash more red wine vinegar or a pinch of red pepper flakes can brighten it.

Serving, Storage & Variations

Serving Suggestions

This hearty Christmas soup recipe is fantastic on its own but also pairs wonderfully with a few simple additions.

Serve generous bowls of soup alongside slices of warm, crusty bread or soft dinner rolls for dipping.
Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, dill, or chives for a pop of color and fresh flavor.
A dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt swirled into the hot soup adds a creamy richness that’s absolutely delicious.

Storage & Reheating

Planning ahead makes holiday meals even easier. This soup stores beautifully.

Cool any leftover soup completely at room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container.
Refrigerate the soup for up to 3-4 days. It often tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld.
For longer storage, freeze the soup in freezer-safe containers for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth if it seems too thick.

Variations

Get creative with your Christmas soup recipe and try these exciting variations.

Different types of sausage: Experiment with spicy chorizo, chicken apple sausage, or even vegan Italian sausage for diverse flavors.
Incorporate other vegetables: Add diced carrots, celery, or butternut squash along with the potatoes for more nutrients and texture.
Heartier meal: Stir in cooked small pasta shapes (like ditalini) or a cup of cooked brown rice during the last few minutes of cooking.
Different spice profiles: A pinch of smoked paprika, a bay leaf during simmering, or a dash of nutmeg can subtly change the flavor.
Make it creamy: For an extra luxurious texture, stir in 4 cup heavy cream or a swirl of coconut milk just before serving.

Nutrition

This comforting Christmas soup offers a balanced meal with good sources of protein and fiber. Here’s an approximate nutritional breakdown per serving:

Nutrient	Amount (Estimated)
Calories	450-500 kcal
Protein	25-30 g
Fat	20-25 g
Carbohydrates	40-45 g
Fiber	10-12 g
Sodium	800-900 mg

Note: Nutritional values are approximate and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes. This information is for general guidance only.

FAQ

Here are common questions about making this delightful Christmas soup recipe.

Can I use canned beans? Yes, you can use two 15-ounce cans of kidney beans, drained and rinsed. Add them with the potatoes and cook for 15 minutes.
Is this soup spicy? As written, it’s not spicy. If you prefer heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic or use hot Italian sausage.
Can I make this soup vegetarian? Absolutely! Omit the kielbasa and use vegetable broth, adding a vegetarian sausage or extra vegetables for bulk.
How long does Christmas soup last? Stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it will last for 3-4 days.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead? Yes, this soup is fantastic for meal prep. Make it a day or two in advance; the flavors deepen over time.
What other ingredients pair well? A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, a swirl of pesto, or a side of cornbread all make excellent accompaniments.

Conclusion

This hearty Christmas soup recipe with sausage and kale is truly a delightful dish that brings warmth and flavor to any holiday table. It’s incredibly easy to make, packed with satisfying ingredients, and perfect for sharing with loved ones on a cold winter’s night. We hope this comforting soup becomes a cherished part of your family’s festive traditions. Gather your ingredients, get cooking, and enjoy every heartwarming spoonful!