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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Special Diet ยป Dairy Free ยป Smoky Kale Soup

    Smoky Kale Soup

    Published: Jan 21, 2015 ยท Updated: Jun 25, 2018 ยท This post contains affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Smoked paprika gives a subtle smoky flavor to this vegan soup packed with kale.

    Smoky Kale Soup from Living Well Kitchen @memeinge

    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!

    Smoky Kale Soup from Living Well Kitchen @memeinge

    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"]

    Smoky Kale Soup from Living Well Kitchen @memeinge

    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 from Living Well Kitchen @memeinge

    Smoky Kale Soup

    Smoked paprika gives a subtle smoky flavor to this vegan soup packed with kale.
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Author: Meme

    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

    *1 bunch of kale {about 12 ounces} yields about 12 cups of chopped kale
    *use vegetable broth for a vegan soup
    *Makes 6 cups
    Did you try this recipe?Be sure to leave a comment & recipe rating below. Bonus points for tagging @memeinge & #livingwellkitchen on Instagram! THANK YOU! xo
    Click here for Nutrition Facts

    *
    Nutrition Facts
    Smoky Kale Soup
    Amount Per Serving (1 cup)
    Calories 163 Calories from Fat 27
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 3g5%
    Saturated Fat 0g0%
    Cholesterol 0mg0%
    Sodium 877mg38%
    Potassium 922mg26%
    Carbohydrates 27g9%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Sugar 2g2%
    Protein 9g18%
    Vitamin A 13875IU278%
    Vitamin C 162.8mg197%
    Calcium 246mg25%
    Iron 3.6mg20%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    *

     

    Meme

    Pin for later:

    Smoked paprika gives a subtle smoky flavor to this vegan soup packed with kale. Smoky Kale Soup recipe from @memeinge is a great lunch or dinner idea that fits any lifestyle (vegan, gluten free, dairy free, bacon-lover, etc.)

    Here are lots of other great smoky recipes to try:

    An InLinkz Link-up


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    Next Post: Kale-amole »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Diane Boyd says

      January 22, 2015 at 7:50 am

      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!!!!

      Reply
      • Meme says

        January 22, 2015 at 10:19 pm

        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 ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    2. genevieve @ gratitude & greens says

      January 22, 2015 at 8:14 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Meme says

        January 22, 2015 at 10:20 pm

        I completely agree Genevieve!! So delish ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    3. Rachael@AvocadoADayNutrition says

      January 22, 2015 at 9:40 am

      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 ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • Meme says

        January 22, 2015 at 10:20 pm

        Seriously?! I love that! And that is def not a useless fact -- it's a fun fact and fun facts are my favorite ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    4. Sonali- The Foodie Physician says

      January 22, 2015 at 9:44 am

      This soup sounds really hearty and flavorful, such a perfect way to use your kale! I'll have mine with a little bacon please ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • Meme says

        January 22, 2015 at 10:22 pm

        Thanks Sonali! And I love that we agree on the bacon topping ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    5. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      January 22, 2015 at 10:34 am

      Yum! A Nice SPICY way to pack in the greens!

      Reply
      • Meme says

        January 22, 2015 at 10:24 pm

        Yes! Soup is my favorite way to eat my veggies ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    6. Eva says

      January 22, 2015 at 10:49 am

      This looks so good!! Love that you added the beans too. Definitely going to try this.

      Reply
      • Meme says

        January 22, 2015 at 10:25 pm

        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." ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    7. Alex Caspero MA,RD (@delishknowledge) says

      January 22, 2015 at 8:54 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Meme says

        January 22, 2015 at 10:26 pm

        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 ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    8. Dana says

      January 26, 2015 at 10:18 pm

      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)!

      Reply
      • Meme says

        January 28, 2015 at 9:59 pm

        Thanks Dana!! I want to hear about your recipes ~ kale & paprika are the perfect pair ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply

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