You know those soups that feel like they hug you from the inside? Yep, this is one of them. Caldo Verde is basically Portugal’s way of saying, “We got you” on a cold day. It’s hearty without being heavy, simple without being boring, and—bonus—you can make it in one pot while half-watching your favorite show. I actually first had it in Lisbon on a drizzly afternoon, and I swear the steam alone made me feel ten degrees warmer.

🥔 Ingredients for the Soup

For the soup

• 500 g floury potatoes (like Maris Piper), peeled and chopped
• 150 g couve galega (Portuguese kale) or curly kale, finely shredded
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 100 g Portuguese chouriço or Spanish chorizo, sliced thin
• 2 tbsp olive oil (plus more for drizzling)
• 1.2 litres cold water
• Salt and white pepper, to taste

For serving

• Crusty bread
• Extra olive oil

🍲 Recipe Cards

Card 1 – The Base

1. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a big ol’ pot over medium heat.
2. Toss in the chopped onion and garlic—cook until it smells like your kitchen just got promoted to “cozy restaurant.”
3. Add the potatoes, give them a quick stir, then pour in the cold water.
4. Season with salt and white pepper, then let it gently bubble until the potatoes are super soft (about 20 minutes).

Card 2 – The Magic Blend

1. Once the potatoes are soft, grab a potato masher or immersion blender—no need to be fancy—and mash until you’ve got a thick, smooth-ish soup base.
2. Add the shredded kale and sliced chouriço.
3. Simmer for 5–10 minutes until the kale is tender but still has a little bite.

Card 3 – Serving Time

1. Ladle into bowls.
2. Drizzle a little olive oil on top for that golden, glossy finish.
3. Serve with thick slices of crusty bread—you’ll want it for dipping.

❓ FAQs

Portuguese Caldo Verde (Green Kale Soup)

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• Author: Emily
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

You know those soups that feel like they hug you from the inside? Yep, this is one of them. Caldo Verde is basically Portugal’s way of saying, “We got you” on a cold day. It’s hearty without being heavy, simple without being boring, and—bonus—you can make it in one pot while half-watching your favorite show.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 500 g floury potatoes (like Maris Piper), peeled and chopped
• 150 g couve galega (Portuguese kale) or curly kale, finely shredded
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 100 g Portuguese chouriço or Spanish chorizo, sliced thin
• 2 tbsp olive oil (plus more for drizzling)
• 1.2 litres cold water
• Salt and white pepper, to taste
• Crusty bread, for serving
• Extra olive oil, for serving

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Instructions

1. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a big ol’ pot over medium heat.
2. Toss in the chopped onion and garlic—cook until it smells like your kitchen just got promoted to “cozy restaurant.”
3. Add the potatoes, give them a quick stir, then pour in the cold water.
4. Season with salt and white pepper, then let it gently bubble until the potatoes are super soft (about 20 minutes).
5. Once the potatoes are soft, grab a potato masher or immersion blender—no need to be fancy—and mash until you’ve got a thick, smooth-ish soup base.
6. Add the shredded kale and sliced chouriço.
7. Simmer for 5–10 minutes until the kale is tender but still has a little bite.
8. Ladle into bowls.
9. Drizzle a little olive oil on top for that golden, glossy finish.
10. Serve with thick slices of crusty bread—you’ll want it for dipping.

Notes

Caldo Verde is comforting, ridiculously easy, and tastes like a warm holiday memory in a bowl. You can easily swap kale types or make it vegetarian by skipping chouriço and adding smoked paprika.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Soup
• Method: One Pot
• Cuisine: Portuguese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 15mg

Keywords: caldo verde, Portuguese soup, kale soup, comforting soup

📝 Conclusion

Caldo Verde is one of those recipes you’ll find yourself making over and over—partly because it’s comforting, partly because it’s ridiculously easy, and partly because, well… it tastes like a warm holiday memory in a bowl. And once you’ve dunked that bread in for the first time, you’ll get why the Portuguese are so proud of it.