Smoked paprika gives a subtle smoky flavor to this vegan soup packed with kale.
It's Recipe ReDux time and this month's theme is The New Year is heating up with smoke and spiciness. From boldly flavored smoked salts to actual smoking techniques, subtly smoked food is on-trend. The same can be said for spice as we savor heat from harissa, sriracha and smoked paprika. Show us the healthy dish you're heating up with smoke and/or spiciness.
They never fail to come up with fun ideas.
I spent a few minutes trying to decide what I'd make that I could use kale. I had lots of ideas but I felt overwhelmed with all my ideas -- they all seemed a little too complicated. Not what I wanted.
So I took a break from brainstorming and went to the kitchen to make soup. Shocking, huh?
As I was sautéing my onion, I realized that I should totally make a kale soup with smoked paprika. How good does that sound?!
Good news -- it's delish! It's warming and wonderful and exactly what I want to eat this time of year. Dreary days need comforting foods that keep you full, happy, and healthy. Dreary days need this Smoky Kale Soup.
It's funny how last week I was not very excited about Kale week for my Veggies All Year series, and now I am totally onboard the kale-loving train!
This soup is no exception.
It's unfortunate that this soup isn't pretty. At all. But looks are deceiving. It's got a wonderful hint of smokiness with a little spiciness in there thanks to the cayenne pepper.
You are welcome to top this with anything. I think bacon would be delicious, or you could add some cooked chicken or shredded cheese for more protein. Or just eat it as is; it's up to you. I just have a thing for soup toppings.
If you can't find smoked paprika, I assume you could use regular but the smoked paprika takes this soup from ok to delish! I recommend finding some. I got mine at World Market, which has a surprisingly great selection of spices - fyi.
I decided to blend this soup so it would be a little creamier and come together more. Then my immersion blender died mid soup blending, so I had to transfer it to a blender to puree. I'd recommend an immersion blender because it's less soup transferring, but transferring to a blender is totally fine -- just be careful when handling hot soups and always crack the lid and cover with a towel so the hot soup doesn't explode.
[clickToTweet tweet="A smoky vegan #kale soup recipe for a smoked #TheRecipeReDux. #VeggiesAllYear" quote="A smoky vegan #kale soup recipe for a smoked #TheRecipeReDux. #VeggiesAllYear"]
Right before serving, I squeeze a little lemon in there. Squeezing the lemon in before will turn your soup an even uglier yellow-green color.
Fun fact before you go, cooking your kale helps improve its immune system boosting effect {see here for the article}.
So enjoy this soup and know that even though it's not even remotely pretty, it's making your insides pretty and helping you stay healthy this winter 🙂
Smoky Kale Soup
Ingredients
- 1 TBSP oil
- 1 medium onion diced {about 1 1/4 cup}
- 4 cloves garlic minced {about 1 TBSP}
- 3/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 bunch kale about 12 cups chopped
- 4 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 15 ounce can white beans drained and rinsed
- lemon for serving
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 10-15 minutes until onion is translucent and slightly browned.
- Add garlic, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and kale. Stir for about 1 minute.
- Pour in broth and water, and bring to a boil. Stir in beans, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and blend soup using an immersion blender {or carefully use a blender}.
- Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice if desired and any optional toppings: bacon, shredded chicken, cheese
Notes
Meme
Pin for later:
Here are lots of other great smoky recipes to try:
Diane Boyd says
I'm loving all the recipes with smokey paprika this month! It's the new darling in my kitchen as well! I used it too! Thanks for sharing your passion, Meme!!!!
Meme says
It's become one of my new favorite spices! I was so excited to be able to use it in this month's Recipe ReDux 🙂
genevieve @ gratitude & greens says
Smoked paprika takes everything from okay to delish! I love using it in soups, stews, and other dishes for its wonderful smoky flavour. I can only imagine how tasty this kale soup is!
Meme says
I completely agree Genevieve!! So delish 🙂
Rachael@AvocadoADayNutrition says
I love that you pureed this! I actually read somewhere that traditional kale soup is always pureed. So there's your useless fact for the day 🙂
Meme says
Seriously?! I love that! And that is def not a useless fact -- it's a fun fact and fun facts are my favorite 🙂
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
This soup sounds really hearty and flavorful, such a perfect way to use your kale! I'll have mine with a little bacon please 🙂
Meme says
Thanks Sonali! And I love that we agree on the bacon topping 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yum! A Nice SPICY way to pack in the greens!
Meme says
Yes! Soup is my favorite way to eat my veggies 🙂
Eva says
This looks so good!! Love that you added the beans too. Definitely going to try this.
Meme says
Thanks Eva!! I felt like it needed a little more substance and wanted to make it vegan friendly. I shared it with a friend, and she said "The soup is the bomb! It tastes like it was made with a ham hock." 🙂
Alex Caspero MA,RD (@delishknowledge) says
YES to smoked paprika! I think it's one of the best spices and use it on everything! A weird but delicious combination is scrambled eggs, goat cheese and smoked paprika. Or maybe it's just me... anyways, can't wait to try it in this soup!
Meme says
That combination sounds ah-may-zing! If I had goat cheese, I would totally eat that for breakfast tomorrow -- I'll be making a trip to the store to get some because I must try that idea. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Dana says
Kale and smoked paprika sound like a ridiculously delicious combo! Thanks for the inspiration - I literally just thought of about 5 different recipes to use the two in (in addition to this soup which I am totally making)!
Meme says
Thanks Dana!! I want to hear about your recipes ~ kale & paprika are the perfect pair 🙂