Turkey Sausage Kale Soup (Printable)

A hearty blend of turkey sausage, kale, vegetables, and aromatic herbs in a savory broth.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 14 oz turkey sausage, casings removed

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 5 oz fresh kale, stems removed and chopped
07 - 14 oz diced tomatoes, canned or fresh

→ Broth & Legumes

08 - 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 can (14 oz) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 1 tsp dried thyme
11 - 1 tsp dried oregano
12 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Oils

14 - 1 tbsp olive oil

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add turkey sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 5 minutes.
02 - Add diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery. Cook until vegetables soften, approximately 5 minutes.
03 - Stir in minced garlic, dried thyme, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Pour in diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
05 - Add cannellini beans and chopped kale. Continue simmering for 10 minutes until kale is tender.
06 - Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all afternoon.
  • Lean turkey sausage gives you bold flavor without the guilt that comes with traditional pork varieties.
  • One pot means one mess, and that's the kind of kitchen math I can get behind.
02 -
  • The sausage needs to be browned properly first, not just warmed through, or you're missing half the flavor that makes this soup special.
  • Add the kale in the last 10 minutes or it'll turn into an unpleasant mush that tastes like regret.
03 -
  • Let your pot get hot enough that the sausage sizzles when it hits the oil—a quiet pot means the temperature isn't right and your sausage will steam instead of brown.
  • Taste as you go, especially with seasoning, because turkey sausage brands vary wildly in how much salt they already contain.

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