Surname Sausage & Kale Stew

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-07 · Updated 2026-04-07

A hearty, slow-cooked stew inspired by the most common American surnames, featuring tender sausage, kale, and root vegetables. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 55 minutes pairs smoked sausage, medium carrots, large potatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Ingredients

• 12 oz smoked sausage
• 2 medium carrots
• 2 large potatoes
• 4 oz kale
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Dice 2 medium carrots and 2 large potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes; heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Step 2: Add 12 oz sliced smoked sausage and cook for 5 minutes until browned, then add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add the diced carrots and potatoes to the pot, stir to coat, then pour in 4 cups chicken broth and 1 tsp thyme; bring to a gentle simmer.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook for 25 minutes until vegetables are tender, then stir in 4 oz chopped kale, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper; cook uncovered for 5 minutes until kale wilts.