This Slow Cooker Tuscan Sausage & Kale Soup is a hearty veggie-filled dish for cold days. Dump it in the crockpot then set it and forget it!
Ingredients and substitutions
- Olive oil – any other neutral cooking oil will work.
- Garlic – use fresh or jarred minced garlic. Garlic powder will work in a pinch.
- Yellow onions – substitute with another onion like white onion, shallots or red onions.
- Carrot – use any vegetable of your choice or leave out altogether.
- Celery – use any vegetable of your choice or leave out altogether.
- Italian seasoning – use a blend of oregano, dried basil or dried parsley instead.
- Chicken broth – vegetable broth would be the best alternative here.
- Crushed tomatoes – diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, canned or fresh tomatoes will work instead.
- Chickpeas – fava beans, pinto beans or black beans would be a great alternative to chickpeas.
- Red pepper – use any vegetable of your choice or leave out altogether.
- Kale – collard greens or spinach would be a great alternative.
Turkey sausage
- Ground turkey – any ground meat like chicken or pork will work well for this recipe.
- Fennel – anise or cumin can be used as a substitute for fennel.
- Garlic powder – use ginger powder, cumin or ground coriander instead.
- Salt & pepper – to taste.
How to make this recipe
- Make the turkey sausage.
- Add everything but the red pepper and kale to the slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 6 hours or on low for 8 hours.
- Stir in the red pepper and kale.
- Let sit for 3-4 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Making this soup on the stovetop
This is such a simple and delicious recipe that I've actually made a few times on the stovetop when the weather first started to get cold. To make this sausage and kale soup on the stovetop, follow these instructions:
- Sauté the sausage, onions and garlic for 5 minutes.
- Add the rest of the ingredients.
- Simmer for 30-40 minutes on a lower temperature.
And that's it! You're ready to enjoy your delicious soup for dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tuscan sausage is typically made of ground pork with spices like basil, fennel, garlic and white wine. For this recipe, I used turkey sausage to cut down on the calories.
To make your own sausage, season a pound of ground turkey and season with some fennel seeds, garlic powder, salt and pepper. If you're feeling fancy, add some paprika! Once you've made the turkey sausage, you just add it to the slow cooker along with the rest of the ingredients. It's that easy!
Kale is considered a superfood for good reason. It’s high in lots of nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese, calcium, potassium and more. Adding it to this recipe will make your soup super delicious and provide tons of nutritional benefits.
There are 312 calories in one bowl of this hearty soup. It’s a great low-calorie meal option that’s still super filling.
Storing and reheating
This Tuscan sausage and kale soup will last in the fridge for up to 5 days. Store this recipe in individual portion sizes for easy reheating. When you're ready to enjoy your soup, reheat for 2-3 minutes in the microwave or bring to a boil on the stovetop.
Freezing this recipe
This recipe freezes beautifully! Freeze in an airtight meal prep container or a freezer bag. The leftovers will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, reheat in the microwave for 6-7 minutes or bring to a boil on the stovetop. You can also defrost it in the fridge the night before and then follow reheating instructions above. It's the perfect solution for nights when you don't feel like cooking.
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More slow cooker recipes
- Creamy Crockpot Sausage Tortellini Soup
- One Pot Butternut Squash Chicken Curry
- Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Lentil Chili
- Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Dal Red Lentils
Meal prep tools for this recipe
- Get your square glass meal prep bowls here – they're so great for packing up your leftovers!
- Get your Slow Cooker here.
- And of course I get all my free-range poultry from Butcher Box.
Slow Cooker Tuscan Sausage and Kale Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 yellow onions, diced
- 1 large carrot, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 (796mL) jar crushed/strained tomatoes (passata)
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 2 cups kale, chopped
Turkey sausage
- 1 lb ground turkey (or use 4 turkey sausages instead of making your own, casings removed)
- 1 tbsp fennel
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- If using storebought sausages, remove casings and break up meat. If making your own, mix together sausage ingredients and break up. Add to slow cooker, along with rest of ingredients except for red pepper and kale.
- Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 8 hours. When ready to serve, stir in red pepper and kale, then let sit for 3-4 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Comments & Reviews
Pam C says
Hi there,
If using already made sausages (in casing) does that mean I can leave off the garlic powder and fennel?
Taylor Stinson says
Yes you can 🙂
Brian says
I started meal prepping 2 years ago and this soup is a go to. I make a double batch and usually get about 7 quarts out of it and freeze some for later. My double batch isnt exactly a double batch because i can only do 6 cups of stock instead of the 8 in my crockpot but its still delicious. (i also cut the crushed tomatoes in 1/2 because i dont like it to tomato-y)
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy it’s a favourite of yours!
Mario A Campos says
I cater for about 100 Sorority Gals & found this recipe four years ago. It’s always been a big hit and is a go-to when I need something simple, delicious and nutritious that is easy to prepare, saves time, and still leaves everyone smiling, happy & satisfied. Thank you so much, you have a great website.
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy it’s such a favourite! Thank you for the glowing review, Mario 🙂
Lindsay says
Hi there. Is 6 hours on high correct with 8 hours on low? Hope to make this today!
Taylor Stinson says
Yes it is!
Benjamin Brown says
2 whole yellow onion? What i see in your video vs what 2 whole onions looks like in my prep…..um huh? What you pour in vs what chopped up. Looks like you put 1 onion ….maybe that amount please clarify.
Taylor Stinson says
Different size onions vary. I used 2 small yellow onions. One larger one will probably suffice if that’s what you have on hand.
REBECCA LIGHTBODY says
Hi! If I am making this for my freezer, do I cook it in the crock pot first then freeze it? or do I put all the raw ingredients together, freeze it and then cook it in the crock pot when ready?
Thanks
Taylor Stinson says
Hi Rebecca! You cook it and then freeze it.
Rachel says
Really great soup. I made mine with Field Roast Italian sausage that I crumbled and browned before adding to the slow cooker.
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so glad you enjoyed!