Got a surplus of kale in your fridge and looking for inspiration? We’ve got 13 delicious kale soup recipes to help you use it up!
Soups are the ultimate comfort food, offering a world of flavors and textures. Whether you’re seeking something indulgent, savory, healthy, creamy, sweet, warm, or hearty, there’s a perfect soup out there.
When the weather cools down or you’re looking for a cozy evening meal, soups are always a great option.
And if you want to lean towards the healthier side, creamy kale soup recipes are an excellent choice.
Not only do they pack a nutritional punch, but summer kale soup recipes incorporate fresh veggies from your local farmers’ market, while others use year-round staples like potatoes and beans.
It’s worth noting that there are several varieties of kale to explore, including curly kale, Tuscan kale, and Lacinato kale.
When using kale in soups, it’s typically added towards the end of cooking, so it retains a bit of crunch.
The broth and other ingredients work together to balance out any bitterness, making it easy to enjoy the nutritional benefits without having to eat raw kale in a salad.
Each recipe on this list pairs kale with unique key ingredients, so take your pick and give one a try!
From simple Tuscan Kale Soup to bright puréed Yellow Split Pea With Lemon And Kale, or even the bean-forward Creamy White Bean Soup With Kale – there’s something for everyone.
Creamy Chicken Kale Soup
Indulge in the rich flavors of creamy kale soup, a hearty and satisfying recipe that’s perfect for any time of year. With its earthy undertones and velvety texture, this soup is sure to become a new favorite. What’s more, its versatility allows you to customize it to your taste with options like chicken or turkey, and control the consistency of the broth and the level of doneness for the kale.
And let’s not forget the added bonus of incorporating a variety of other veggies, such as carrots, celery, onion, and mushrooms, which add depth and complexity to the dish. Whether you’re looking for a comforting meal after a long day or just want to warm up on a chilly evening, this creamy kale soup is sure to hit the spot.
Spicy Black Bean Kale Soup
This summer’s kale soup is a flavorful and filling dish, featuring tender black beans that have been fully soaked and seasoned to perfection. With its bold, savory flavor profile, it’s no surprise that this soup has a spicy kick from the chipotle peppers. To temper the heat, serve it with some crusty bread or fluffy rice for a delightful balance of textures.
The key to achieving the perfect level of spiciness is adding the kale towards the end of cooking, allowing its subtle bitterness to cut through the richness of the dish. For an added layer of creaminess, blend the soup with an immersion blender to create a smooth, velvety texture. And let’s not forget the finishing touch – a sprinkle of diced avocado adds a burst of freshness and healthy fats to each spoonful.
Creamy Cauliflower Sausage Kale Soup
Cauliflower and sausage make a match made in heaven, especially when combined with kale in a hearty soup. This recipe is perfect for those who love Zuppa but aren’t fond of potatoes – simply swap them out for the cauliflower! With just eight key ingredients, this dish is incredibly easy to prepare. Plus, step-by-step photos guide you through each stage of cooking, ensuring a stress-free and delicious meal from start to finish.
To make it your own, adjust the spice level of the sausage or substitute dairy with full-fat coconut milk for a creamy, dairy-free option. And don’t miss out on our list of Japanese soups – they’re worth trying too!
Portuguese Kale Soup
Imagine a hearty, chunky potato kale soup that bursts with bold flavors! The moment you take a spoonful, you’ll feel like you’re wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket. This Portuguese-inspired Zuppa has its own unique twists, such as using collard greens or beans instead of the traditional kale. To give it an extra boost of flavor, I’ve added Spanish chorizo – which is widely available and adds a delicious smokiness.
The addition of lemon zest, smoked paprika, white beans, and a touch of heavy cream takes this soup to the next level. And the best part? It comes together surprisingly quickly, so if you have all the ingredients on hand, you can whip it up in no time!
Creamy White Bean Soup With Kale
This vegan kale soup recipe truly delivers on its promise of rich flavors and satisfying texture. The combination of tender kale, creamy beans, and aromatic rosemary is perfectly balanced by a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. When it comes to the stock, attention to detail makes all the difference in achieving a depth of flavor that will leave you wanting more. For an added layer of silkiness, feel free to blend the soup with an immersion blender until it reaches your desired consistency.
The supporting cast of carrots, celery, and garlic adds a delightful rustic charm, while the navy beans provide a pleasant surprise. And let’s not forget the burst of citrusy freshness from the lemon – it’s the perfect finishing touch.
Spicy Sausage And Kale Soup
Indulge in a hearty, comforting bowl of kale soup that’s elevated by the addition of pasta. The combination of tender kale, flavorful sausage, Cavatappi pasta, rich red wine, pungent garlic, and sweet caramelized onions creates a truly satisfying and filling meal. And the best part? This one-pot wonder is just as delicious reheated the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or a cozy dinner.
Yellow Split Pea Soup With Lemon And Kale
The first thing that draws you in is the vibrant yellow hue of this curly kale soup, courtesy of the bright yellow split peas. But it’s not just the color that makes this soup special – the combination of leeks, ginger, tomatoes, vegetable stock, and of course, curly kale, creates a truly exceptional flavor profile. And the best part? There are countless ways to customize this recipe to your taste. Want a spicy kick? Add some fresh chili for an extra boost. Prefer something a bit more exotic?
Try adding turmeric for a warm, curried flavor or coconut cream for an added layer of richness. Alternatively, you could always add in some extra chopped tomatoes for a burst of juicy sweetness. Whatever your preference, this soup is sure to become a new favorite. Just be prepared to spend a little time simmering it all together and then blending it to perfection with a hand blender.
Creamy Potato Kielbasa And Kale Soup
When it comes to kale soup recipe ideas, variations abound, with different meats or veggies, broths, and seasonings. One standout recipe stands out for its rich and creamy texture, courtesy of potatoes, kielbasa, and kale paired with half-and-half, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. What sets this recipe apart is its simplicity, which belies a carefully planned approach to cooking times. By adding ingredients gradually, the cook can stack different cooking times with ease.
Another aspect that elevates this soup recipe is its visually appealing presentation: the vibrant green kale against a snowy white broth, punctuated by the deep red hue of the kielbasa.
Turkey & Kale Soup
This summer’s kale soup is not only easy to make, but it also happens to be a perfect fit for paleo and Whole30 diets – and possibly a few others as well. The recipe boasts an impressive array of ingredients, including olive oil, carrots, onions, garlic, celery, ground turkey, green onions, acorn squash, kale, broth, and coconut milk. With such a diverse selection of flavors and textures, it’s no wonder this soup has earned rave reviews.
One of the best things about this recipe is its flexibility – you can easily substitute different types of squash or even ground chicken for added variety. Simply simmer everything together for 30 minutes, then add in the kale for a final four-minute stir. The result is a hearty and delicious soup that’s sure to become a new favorite.
Ready to try another satisfying soup recipe? Look no further!
Sweet Potato Kale Soup Recipe
While sweet potato and kale may not be an obvious pairing, this soup recipe showcases the unexpected harmony of these two ingredients. The foundation is built with the classic combination of onions, garlic, and celery, setting the stage for a rich and flavorful dish.
As the base is established, red pepper, rosemary, thyme, and sweet potatoes are added to create a complex and aromatic blend.
Chickpeas and vegetable broth further enhance the soup’s depth, before finishing with the final flourish of kale. The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility – feel free to add any additional veggies you have on hand to make it your own.
The result is a hearty and savory soup that simmers up with a fragrant aroma, perfect for warming up on a chilly day.
Chicken Kale Soup
When it comes to creamy kale soup recipes, light meat is often the protein of choice instead of sausage or bacon. However, in this particular recipe, we’re pairing chicken with kale, carrots, and barley for a hearty and satisfying meal. What’s more, this soup is incredibly low in calories, making it a guilt-free option if you find yourself craving seconds.
That being said, the lemon flavor may be overpowering for some, so feel free to adjust the amount of lemon or add more broth to achieve your desired balance of flavors.
Vegan Potato Kale Soup
Get ready for a nutrient-dense vegan kale soup that’s packed with a variety of vegetables, making it an even more satisfying and filling meal! The creamy potato base, created by combining diced potatoes with coconut milk and vegetable broth, provides a comforting and rich flavor profile. To take it to the next level, use an immersion blender to blend the mixture before adding in the kale, white wine vinegar, salt, and pepper, which will result in an incredibly creamy and velvety texture.
Additionally, the accompanying photographs are not only visually appealing but also provide valuable information on the ideal types of potatoes to use and how to cook them to perfection.
Simple Tuscan Kale Soup
To further diversify my kale soup recipe repertoire, I’ve crafted a unique Tuscan-inspired version that deviates from its predecessors in several ways. This iteration incorporates fire-roasted tomatoes and orzo pasta into a boldly flavored broth with a hint of spiciness. The foundation of this recipe is built upon the aromatic trifecta of sautéed vegetables, which are brought to life using a generous amount of olive oil.
For added texture and depth, consider incorporating small white beans or great northern beans into the mix.
The bottom line
Whether you’re a fan of rich and velvety textures or prefer a lighter, more brothy consistency, the perfect creamy kale soup recipe is out there – waiting to be discovered!