Portuguese Caldo Verde Soup Recipe (Collard Soup)
Try our fresh Portuguese caldo verde soup recipe ( Collard Soup) made with fresh collards, potatoes and Portuguese Azorean smoked sausage known as chouriço or chorizo. This leafy Portuguese green soup is a culinary staple in Portuguese homes and typically enjoyed along side a slice of bread and the iconic Portuguese Piri Piri hot sauce.
What Is Caldo Verde Soup?
Caldo verde is a Portuguese green soup very popular in Portugal and around the world. This healthy leafy green soup is light and make’s a perfect starter before a main meal. Caldo verde is made with collards cut up very thin, potatoes and chouriço, smoked Portuguese style sausage as the main ingredients. Caldo verde soup is easy to prepare, Once the potatoes are cooked, they are then pureed and returned back to the pot were the rest of the ingredients are added.
Can Portuguese Green Soup Caldo Verde Be Vegan?
Yes, Portuguese green soup caldo verde can be prepared vegan, all you need to do is leave out the Portuguese chouriço sausage and your all good. The featured picture in our post show’s a vegan Portuguese caldo verde without and smoked sausage.
Ingredients For Caldo Verde Soup (Collard Soup):
- 8 medium size russet potatoes washed, peeled and cut into cubes
- 1 large chouriço ( Portuguese Smoked Sausage) cut into small rings) optional
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 medium onion washed and cut into small pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 10 cups of water
- 450 grams fresh collards (1 pound), washed, stems removed and cut very thin
- Pinch of ground black pepper
- Pinch of ground white pepper
Can Kale or Spinach Be substited For Caldo Verde Soup?
Although traditional Portuguese calde verde soup is prepared using collards, you can definitely substitute with fresh kale or spinach, just follow the same cooking steps.
How To Make Caldo Verde (Portuguese Collard Soup)?
- In a large pot place the 10 cups of water, cubes potatoes, garlic, onions, salt and white and black pepper and cook on medium high heat for about 20-25 minutes or until potatoes are soft.
- Transfers the mixture in 3 to 4 separate stages to a blender and blend until potato mixture is smooth. Place pureed mixture back into a large pot, if the mixture is to thick add a cup of water and stir until mixture is well combined.
- Add in the cut Portuguese smoked sausage, cut collards and olive oil and cook for about 10 minutes on medium heat stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and serve.
PORTUGUESE CALDO VERDE SOUP RECIPE (COLLARD SOUP)
soup recipe can easily be made vegan, just remove the smoked sausage.
Ingredients
- 8 medium size russet potatoes washed peeled and cut into cubes
- 1 large chouriço Portuguese Smoked Sausage cut into small rings)
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 medium onion washed and cut into small pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 10 cups of water
- 450 grams fresh collards 1 pound, washed, stems removed and cut very thin
- Pinch of ground black pepper
- Pinch of ground white pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot place the 10 cups of water, cubes potatoes, garlic, onions, salt and white and black pepper and cook on medium high heat for about 20-25 minutes or until potatoes are soft.
- Transfers the mixture in 3 to 4 separate stages to a blender and blend until potato mixture is smooth. Place pureed mixture back into a large pot, if the mixture is to thick add a cup of water and stir until mixture is well combined.
- Add in the cut Portuguese smoked sausage, cut collards and olive oil and cook for about 10 minutes on medium heat stirring occasionally. If you want your caldo verde vegan leave out the sausage,
- Remove from heat and serve.