Sausage, Kale & White Bean Soup

This sausage, kale, and white bean soup is a hearty, protein-rich meal that's perfect for cozy days. Packed with tender beans, crisp kale, and vegetarian sausage, this soup is the ultimate healthy and hearty comfort food, with lots of fiber, protein, and nutrients too. 

If you enjoy this recipe, try my white bean soup recipe which is very similar, or this gorgeous creamy tortellini soup which also has crumbled sausages. This Zuppa Toscana recipe, with veggie sausage pieces, white beans, and potatoes, is another one to try!

This soup pairs beautifully with garlic bread, herbed focaccia, or even warm flatbread to dip. You could also serve it as a stew with less liquid, alongside mashed potatoes for a hearty dinner.

Ingredient Notes

Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the full ingredient quantities and instructions. 

Below, I've provided some notes on the ingredients you'll need and potential substitutions.

- White Beans: Adds creaminess and protein to the soup. I think creamy cannellini beans are perfect for this recipe, but you could substitute for butter beans or haricot beans if you prefer.

- Vegetarian Sausages: Choose your favorite vegetarian brand - I quite like the vegetarian Richmond sausages or the THIS brand. Crumbling your sausages is ideal because you get lots of savory, crunchy bits within the soup. You could also use a vegan mince if you prefer.

- Kale: Fresh kale adds both texture and nutrients. I know not everyone loves kale though, spinach or Swiss chard can be used as alternatives.

- Vegetables: This recipe has a base of onions, carrots, and celery - the holy trio for so many wonderful soups! Take the time to dice your vegetables as small as you can so they melt into the base of the soup.

How To Make This Hearty Sausage, Kale & White Bean Soup

Below are some process shots of making your sausage, kale, and white bean soup - make sure you scroll down to the recipe card to see the exact ingredient quantities required!

1. Cook the Sausages

Heat your oil in a large pan, and add the crumbled vegetarian sausages. Fry them until crispy and then remove from the pan and set aside.

2. Cook the Veggies

In the same pan, add more oil, then sauté your diced onion, carrot, and celery until they;ve begun to soften, then add the garlic and cook for another minute.

3. Season & Deglaze

Add the seasonings and tomato paste. Pour in your white wine or apple cider vinegar and cook down to deglaze.

4. Add Stock & Beans

Add vegetable stock, bay leaf, and beans (with their liquid if using fresh beans). Simmer for 20 minutes - adding a splash more water or stock as needed.

5. Blend 

Use a stick blender to blend part of the soup (roughly a quarter to a third, depending on how chunky you want to keep your soup) for a creamy consistency. To finish, stir in the chopped kale, cooked sausage, and your grated hard cheese.

Top Tips \ Chef's Notes

Adjust your sausage kale soup with extra stock if the soup is too thick or reduce it for a stew-like consistency, perfect for serving with mashed potatoes!

If you want to add some deeper flavors to your soup, consider adding some cajun seasoning, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes to finish.

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover sausage, kale, and white bean soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a bit of stock or water if it has thickened too much.

Serve with crusty bread or cornbread to dip, and sprinkle with extra cheese or chili flakes for more flavor.

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