Talk about EASY! This Slow Cooker Sausage Kale Soup is just 5 ingredients & takes just 5 minute to prep. Homemade soup for dinner has never been simpler.
Why this Sausage Kale Soup with Potatoes Recipe is the Best: This is a quick dump & go CrockPot recipe that so simple you will want to double the recipe for leftovers.
I first tried this recipe when I had an extra package of kale after making a fall kale salad. Plus I had a package of sausages I never got onto the baking tray for Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies. The two pair together so well in soup so why not.
Like my recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken Stew, this is a chunky hearty soup. Ok, now we cook!
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Ingredients
Here are the 5 items you need to make this recipe. The addition of some spices is optional but gives it a flavor boost.
This sausage kale soup is a healthy recipe that has no beans, gluten-free, non-dairy, & low-carb, and Whole30 approved. See the recipe tips section below on how to make this vegan/vegetarian & other variations.
Here are important notes for some ingredients:
- Link Sausage - I am using spicy pork linguica but any mild or hot variety in any protein works (chicken, beef, turkey)
- White Potatoes - thin skinned potato and leave the peel on
- Kale - curly leaf, lacinato (tuscan or dinosaur), green/red, or baby kale varieties work & hold up well in soups.
- Better than Bouillon - concentrated chicken soup base or other powder, cubes, etc. (regular or low-sodium) plus water
- Diced Tomatoes - canned with juices
- Spices - salt & pepper to taste
See the recipe card for full list, quantities, & any substitutions/variations.
How to Make Slow Cooker Sausage Kale Soup
This is a quick dump & go recipe for the CrockPot. Just dice a few ingredients and everything goes into the insert to cook for hours. Set it and forget it.
Perfect for a busy week day. You can even prep everything the night before, add to the insert, refrigerate, & set it in the slow cooker the next morning before rushing out the door.
Here are the easy steps for making sausage & kale soup with potatoes in the Crock-Pot.
- Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker
- Cook & Serve
See the step-by-step instructions with photos below plus the recipe card at the end of the post.
1 - Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker
Begin by cutting the sausage links into small bite-sized pieces. I sliced them and then cut each in half. Next cut the potatoes into similar size chunks.
Wash, remove the stems, & cut the kale into small pieces if not ready in the package. See images below for the proper sizes for all ingredients.
Add the diced sausage and white potatoes to the insert.
Top with the kale, bouillon base, and all the contents of the canned dice tomatoes (juices included).
Stir the ingredients to mix evenly.
Top with the hot water and stir to give the bouillon a head start in dissolving.
2 - Cook & Serve
Set the slow cooker on low for 8 hours. Or for a faster cook, it works on high for 4 hours.
If you are home, half way through give the soup a stir. Continue cooking until ready.
Taste test and add salt or pepper if needed. Ladle into individual bowls or soup mugs. Great way to warm up on cold fall or winter nights.
Serving & Storing
Enjoy this soup while hot and fresh. It can stay on the warm setting for a few hours if you are still at work - a very forgiving recipe that's almost foolproof!
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for 3 months. This keeps & reheats well since there is no milk or cream. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat for 5 minutes or 1-2 minutes in the microwave.
What to Serve with Sausage Kale Soup : This is amazing any time of year but especially in fall or winter when you want a cozy meal. It's a complete meal with protein & veggies.
If you want to add more to dinner I recommend my Easy No Knead Bread Recipe or a Simple Spinach Salad. Or grab some crackers to crush on top or dip into the savory broth.
Recipe Tips & Behind the Scenes
Here's my recipe for success - including what I learned when testing, fun stories, recipe history, and more.
- #1 Tip - Cut everything in bite-sized pieces similar in size so they cook evenly & are easy to eat.
- Use your favorite link sausage in any flavor including mild or hot varieties ( linguica, Italian fennel sausage, bratwurst etc)
- Thin skinned potatoes where you leave the skin holds up best in soup vs peeled potatoes that turn to mush or fall apart.
- Want a lower carb version, replace the potatoes with chunks of radish. Believe it or not they come out sweeter and not hot / spicy when cooked down like they do in my Air Fryer Radish recipe.
- Substitute pork sausage with any other link sausage; low-fat chicken, veal, beef, or plant-based/tofu.
- If meat and potatoes is your thing, you will love my Slow Cooker Hungarian Goulash recipe.
FAQ
Yes. If you don't have all day or planned ahead, this soup can be made in under 30 minutes. Simply add all the ingredients to a large stock pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
Don't love kale? The hearty green holds up best in soups but you can substitute it. Try green or red cabbage as an alternate. Or add spinach in the final 10 minutes of cooking instead.
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Slow Cooker Sausage Kale Soup
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 pound link sausage cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 pound white potatoes cut into bite-sized pieces
- 10 ounces kale chopped
- ¼ cup better than bouillon
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 4 cups water
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- To the slow cooker insert add the diced sausages & potatoes.1 pound link sausage, 1 pound white potatoes
- Top with the kale, canned tomatoes including the juices, & better than bouillon.10 ounces kale, ¼ cup better than bouillon, 1 can diced tomatoes
- Top with water & stir to mix. Put the lid on the Crock Pot and set to low for 8 hours. (high for 4 hours also works)4 cups water
- Once done, taste test and add salt & pepper to taste.salt & pepper
- Ladle into soup bowls or mugs, enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Store in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheat soup over medium heat on the stovetop or 1-2 minutes in the microwave.
- Use any link sausage; veal, beef, chicken, turkey, or pork.
- For vegan/vegetarian use vegetable broth & a plant based/tofu sausage
- Add hot sauce or use spicy sausage to add heat.
Nutrition
More Slow Cooker Soup Recipes
I love making soup in the CrockPot. Here are some similar recipes & my favorite Slow Cooker Soup Recipes:
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