Northern-Style Potato and Kale Soup with Smoked Sausage

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A warming soup featuring tender potatoes, hearty kale, and smoky sausage, perfect for chilly northern evenings. This american-inspired soups ready in about 45 minutes pairs smoked sausage, sliced, yellow onion, diced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.3 (15 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 30 min Serves 6 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 12 oz sliced smoked sausage and cook for 5 minutes until browned and slightly crisp. Remove sausage and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 2 diced carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and onions are translucent.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 medium peeled and cubed potatoes (2 cups), 6 cups chicken broth, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 4 cups chopped kale and cooked sausage. Simmer for another 5 minutes until kale wilts and flavors meld. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Northern-Style Potato and Kale Soup with Smoked Sausage take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Northern-Style Potato and Kale Soup with Smoked Sausage?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep smoked sausage, sliced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Northern-Style Potato and Kale Soup with Smoked Sausage?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Northern-Style Potato and Kale Soup with Smoked Sausage for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Northern-Style Potato and Kale Soup with Smoked Sausage?

American soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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