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Cozy Slow Cooker Sausage and Potato Soup with Kale

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A hearty, comforting slow cooker soup made with smoked sausage, tender Yukon Gold potatoes, and fresh kale in a creamy broth. This dump-and-go meal is perfect for busy weeknights or cold weather comfort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced into rounds
  • 1 ½ pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into ½-inch cubes
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 3 cups chopped kale, stems removed and leaves torn into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Brown the sausage: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until nicely browned. Transfer the browned sausage to your slow cooker.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Scrape everything into the slow cooker with the sausage.
  3. Layer the potatoes and seasonings: Add the diced Yukon Gold potatoes to the slow cooker on top of the sausage and onions. Sprinkle the dried thyme, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper over the potatoes. Don’t stir yet.
  4. Add the broth: Pour the chicken broth over everything. The liquid should just about cover the potatoes and sausage. If it doesn’t quite reach, add a little more broth or water. Put the lid on your slow cooker.
  5. Cook low and slow: Set your slow cooker to low for 6-7 hours, or high for 3-4 hours. About 30 minutes before serving, check the potatoes—they should be fork-tender.
  6. Add the kale and cream: About 20 minutes before you are ready to eat, stir in the chopped kale. Let it cook for about 10 minutes, then stir in the heavy cream. Taste the broth and adjust salt and pepper as needed. If you want a little heat, add the red pepper flakes now.
  7. Finish and serve: Let the soup sit for 5 minutes after adding the cream. Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley if you like, and serve hot with crusty bread or a simple side salad.

Notes

Do not add the kale at the beginning of cooking; it will become slimy. If using a leaner sausage, add an extra tablespoon of olive oil or butter for richness. If the soup seems too thin after cooking, mash a few potato chunks against the side of the slow cooker to thicken it naturally. The soup tastes even better the next day as flavors meld.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker soup, sausage and potato soup, kale soup, comfort food, winter soup, crockpot recipe

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/cozy-slow-cooker-sausage-and-potato-soup-with-kale/