This Sausage Potato Kale Soup is healthy, hearty, and satisfying, with the perfect trio of smoky Andouille sausage, Yukon gold potatoes, and fresh kale. This is a great weeknight friendly meal to keep in the fridge, and only takes 35 minutes to make. Round out the meal with Homemade Cornbread, Cheddar Drop Biscuits, or Focaccia.

Sausage and Kale Soup - In Bowl with Spoon on Wood Board

Soup is the most underrated category of food in my opinion, and easily one of my favorite things to make and eat.

And my favorite part about this Sausage Potato Kale Soup is it has an incredibly short ingredients list, but still manages to have tons of flavor. Those are the best recipes!

Like most soups, one of the best parts about this recipe is that the leftovers keep beautifully. On days when I don’t feel like cooking lunch or dinner, it’s nice to be able to heat a bowl of this up in the microwave and eat something nutritious.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

There are only 6 ingredients involved here, and they are:

  • olive oil
  • yellow onion
  • andouille sausage
  • yukon gold potatoes
  • kale
  • chicken broth

Oh, and salt, but that doesn’t usually count as an ingredient. Despite this short list, the sausage soup manages to be hearty and delicious, with lots of flavor from the smoked andouille sausage.

Sausage Kale Soup - In Brown Bowl with Potato Chunks

Since there are so few ingredients in this easy soup, it’s essential to use a good quality, flavorful andouille sausage. This is especially true since it’s not a creamy broth soup.

I buy smoked andouille sausage, which adds a smokiness, spiciness, and meatiness to the soup. The one my grocery store carries is made by Wellshire Farms and I really like it!

If you prefer, you may also swap in some sweet italian sausage (or hot italian sausage). I recommend finding one made with pork, and not using chicken or turkey sausage, which usually are not as flavorful. There shouldn’t be much excess grease from the pork sausage here, since the amounts are minimal.

Tips for Best Results

Use good chicken broth – I once did a taste test comparing several brands of chicken broth, and the differences were staggering. My favorite brands are Imagine and Swanson, but you may want to do your own taste test with the options available at your local grocery store.

I also recommend determining if you prefer broth or stock more. Although many people think of them as interchangeable, they are different. Broths are typically made more with meat whereas stocks are made more with bones, giving a different type of mouthfeel. Either will work here, it’s just personal preference.

Remove the stems and ribs from the kale – While optional, I recommend stripping the kale leaves from the stems. You can do this by either cutting the stems out with a knife, or running your fingers up and down the length of the stem to separate the leaves. The leaves are much more tender.

Step by Step Overview:

To get started, brown some sliced andouille sausage over medium heat in a big soup pot or dutch oven with olive oil, or your fat of choice. Butter and lard are also delicious.

Andouille Sausage Slices in a Pot

Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon, leaving the fat behind, and cook chopped yellow onion with a pinch of salt, until softened:

Sauteed Onions in a Pot with Slotted Spoon

There should already be some heat from the andouille sausage, but if you wish to add red pepper flakes for some extra spice, or any other seasonings, add it to the onion.

Next add big chunks of Yukon gold potatoes to your large pot:

Potato Chunks Added to Pot

Can you use other varieties?

My favorite potato to use here is Yukon gold, but you may use any type of waxy potato that you prefer. Red potatoes are another great choice. Russet potatoes, which are typically used for things like French Fries or Hash Browns are not the best choice, as they are too starchy.

Now add chicken broth or chicken stock to the pot:

Potato Soup Broth with Spoon

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer for 15 minutes, cooking until the potatoes are fork tender.

Finally, add one bunch worth of kale leaves, and the reserved sausage, and cook for 2 minutes until the kale is wilted:

Kale, Potatoes, and Andouille Sausage in Soup Pot

It is always surprising to me that those 2 minutes are all that’s needed for the kale to lose any traces of bitterness.

Sausage Kale and Potato Soup in Bowl with Spoon

I love the flavors of the hearty soup, all without any heavy cream. It’s wonderful on cold winter nights and is one of our family favorites.

For a chunkier texture throughout, use an immersion blender to break up the cooked potatoes more. This thickens the broth slightly. Enjoy!

How to Serve

This simple soup is now ready to serve in bowls, piping hot, and enjoyed with some crusty bread.

Soups very classically pair with recipes like Drop Biscuits and Asiago Black Pepper Bread, but it’s simply great as is if you wish to keep it lower carb. You can also make it low carb by leaving out the potatoes, but I love the heartiness they bring.

This soup is Whole30 friendly, as is this Carrot Coconut Soup, which also makes for great leftovers. Other favorites are Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili, Cheesy Lasagna Soup, and Quick Chicken Noodle Soup. Enjoy!

Recipe Variations

This homemade soup takes well to substitutions and changes. Here are some of my favorite ways to adjust the recipe.

Bone broth – To make this recipe even healthier, use bone broth instead of the chicken broth.

Sweet potatoes – Feel free to add or swap in some sweet potatoes for the yukon golds.

Smoked paprika – To add an extra layer of smokiness to the broth, add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika to the onion during saute time.

Kale – Try swapping in other greens such as swiss chard.

Recipe Tips and FAQ

How do you store leftover Sausage Potato Kale Soup?

Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Can you freeze Sausage and Kale Soup?

Yes, store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Because the liquid will expand as it freezes, make sure you leave some extra space in the container. To thaw, leave in the fridge overnight for best results.

How do you reheat Sausage Kale Potato Soup?

The microwave is the most convenient option. Heat servings in a microwave-safe bowl in 30 second intervals until warmed through. You may also reheat on the stovetop over medium high heat until warm. If reheating straight from frozen, I recommend reheating on the stovetop.

Can you adapt this recipe to the instant pot?

Yes. After sauteing, cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. Then add the kale and sausage, let sit for 2 minutes, and serve. If you want a softer texture to the kale, add it to the pot before the high pressure cook.

Did you enjoy the recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Or, follow me on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest!

Sausage Kale Soup - In Brown Bowl with Potato Chunks

Sausage Potato Kale Soup

This healthy Sausage Potato Kale Soup is hearty and satisfying, with a trifecta of smoky Andouille sausage, Yukon gold potatoes, and kale, without any traces of bitterness. This is a great meal to keep on hand in the fridge!
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Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 lb smoked andouille sausage sliced into 1/4″ rounds
  • 2 cups chopped yellow onion
  • 1 lb yukon gold potatoes diced into large pieces
  • 8 cups chicken stock or broth
  • 1 large bunch curly green kale stems and ribs removed
  • salt

Instructions 

  • Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot set over medium heat, and add the sausage. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring often, until browned. 
  • Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon to a plate, leaving the oil behind, and add the chopped onion. Season with a pinch of salt, and cook for 10 minutes, until softened.
  • Add the potatoes and chicken stock, then cover the pot with a lid, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook for 15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.
  • Add the kale and reserved andouille sausage to the soup, and cook for 2 minutes, until the kale has wilted.
  • Make any final seasoning adjustments with salt and pepper, if needed, and enjoy!

Notes

Because there are so few ingredients in this soup, it’s important to use a really good andouille sausage. I like Wellshire Farms smoked andouille sausage, which adds smokiness, spiciness, and meatiness to the soup.
Storing leftovers: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. 
Freezing: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Because the liquid will expand as it freezes, make sure you leave some extra space in the container. To thaw, leave in the fridge overnight for best results.
Reheating: The microwave is the most convenient option. Heat servings in a microwave-safe bowl in 30 second intervals until warmed through. You may also reheat on the stovetop over medium high heat until warm. If reheating straight from frozen, I recommend reheating on the stovetop.

Nutrition

Calories: 403kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 18g, Fat: 29g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 63mg, Sodium: 1836mg, Potassium: 909mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 980IU, Vitamin C: 46.4mg, Calcium: 78mg, Iron: 4.4mg

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.