Cozy Comfort: Soothing Collard Green Soup Recipe

Craving a hearty collard green soup that wraps you in warmth like a cozy blanket?

Leafy greens dance with rich, velvety broth in this soul-satisfying recipe.

Packed with nutrients and deep Southern comfort, our soup promises a culinary embrace that soothes and nourishes.

Tender collards mingle with savory ingredients, creating a symphony of flavors that whisper home and healing.

Nutritionists adore this simple yet powerful dish for its incredible health benefits.

Each spoonful tells a story of tradition and wholesome goodness.

Let’s transform those humble greens into a bowl of pure, comforting magic that’ll make you fall in love with healthy eating.

FAQs

• Are collard greens healthy?

Collard greens are incredibly nutritious, packed with vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, and fiber. They’re low in calories and support heart health and bone strength.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, this recipe is already vegetarian! The vegetable broth and plant-based ingredients make it a perfect meat-free meal option.

• How do I choose the best collard greens?

Look for dark green leaves without yellowing or wilting. Fresh collard greens should feel crisp and have no signs of damage or brown spots. Smaller leaves tend to be more tender and less bitter.

• Is this soup good for meal prep?

Absolutely! This soup stores well in the refrigerator for 4-5 days and actually develops more flavor as it sits. The vegetables and greens hold up beautifully when reheated.

Collard Green Soup Comfort Notes

• Packed with collard greens, carrots, and potatoes, this soup delivers a punch of vitamins and minerals in every spoonful.
• Adaptable to different dietary needs, this soup can be easily modified for vegetarian or vegan diets while maintaining its rich, satisfying flavor.
• Uses affordable, readily available ingredients that can feed a crowd without breaking the bank, making it an excellent option for family dinners or meal prep.

Collard Green Soup Ingredient List

• Collard Greens: A hearty leafy green vegetable that provides a robust and slightly bitter flavor to the soup.
• Vegetable Broth: The liquid base that helps develop a rich and comforting soup texture.
• Potatoes: Starchy vegetables that add thickness and a creamy consistency to the soup.
• Carrots: Sweet root vegetables that contribute natural sweetness and color to the dish.

• Onions, Garlic: Classic flavor builders that create a deep and aromatic foundation for the soup.
• Smoked Paprika: A spice that adds a warm, smoky depth to the overall flavor profile.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the soup's natural flavors.
• Olive Oil: A cooking fat used to sauté vegetables and create a smooth base for the soup.

How to Cook Collard Green Soup

Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Pot

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Let the oil shimmer and spread across the bottom of the pot.

Step 2: Create Aromatic Foundation

• Onions
• Garlic

Toss chopped onions and minced garlic into the pot.

Stir and cook until they release their delightful fragrance and turn slightly golden, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3: Build Flavor Layers

• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Smoked paprika

Add diced carrots and cubed potatoes to the pot.

Sprinkle smoked paprika over the vegetables and stir, allowing the spice to coat everything evenly.

Cook for 5 minutes, letting the vegetables start to soften and absorb the rich flavors.

Step 4: Introduce Hearty Greens

• Collard greens
• Vegetable broth

Toss chopped collard greens into the pot and pour in vegetable broth.

Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.

Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer gently for 25-30 minutes.

Step 5: Perfect the Seasoning

Taste the soup and sprinkle in salt and pepper as needed.

Stir well to distribute the seasonings evenly.

Serve hot and enjoy the comforting, nourishing flavors.

Tips for Hearty Collard Green Soup

• Replace collard greens with kale, swiss chard, or spinach for variety while maintaining similar nutrient profiles and cooking techniques.
• Add white beans, diced chicken, or chorizo to transform this soup into a more substantial meal with extra protein and depth of flavor.
• Adjust soup consistency by adding more broth for a thinner soup or mashing some potatoes to create a heartier, creamier texture.
• Incorporate a splash of apple cider vinegar or a parmesan cheese rind during simmering to elevate the overall taste complexity and richness.
• This soup tastes even better the next day, so prepare in advance and store in refrigerator for up to 4 days, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.

Storing and Reheating Collard Green Soup

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Pour desired portion into microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming. Check temperature before serving.
• Pour soup into saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of vegetable broth if soup seems too thick. Heat until steaming and thoroughly warmed.

Pairings for Collard Green Soup

• Pair with Rustic Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Côtes du Rhône that complements the earthy collard greens and smoky paprika, enhancing the soup's rich flavor profile.
• Serve with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Slice a hearty sourdough bread to dip into the soup, absorbing the savory broth and providing a delightful textural contrast with its crispy exterior and soft interior.
• Complement with Goat Cheese Crumble: Sprinkle tangy, creamy goat cheese on top of the soup to add a bright, acidic note that cuts through the soup's warmth and adds a luxurious finish.
• Match with Herbal Side Salad: Create a light green salad with fresh arugula, parsley, and a lemon vinaigrette to provide a refreshing counterpoint to the soup's deep, comforting flavors.

Creative Collard Green Soup Variations

• Vegan Protein Boost: Replace smoked paprika with plant-based chorizo crumbles or tempeh for added protein and smoky flavor.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes and ensure vegetable broth is certified gluten-free for sensitive diets.
• Spicy Southern Style: Add diced jalapeños and cayenne pepper for a hot kick, complementing the traditional collard green profile.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap potatoes with cauliflower florets and increase green vegetable content to reduce overall carbohydrate count.

Comforting Collard Green Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 43 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Soul-warming Collard Green Soup offers a hearty embrace of Southern comfort with rich, earthy flavors dancing through each spoonful. Packed with nutrients and love, this recipe brings warmth to your table and nourishes both body and spirit.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 bunch collard greens, chopped
• 2 potatoes, cubed
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1 medium onion, diced

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Liquid:

• 4 cups (960 milliliters) vegetable broth

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, gently sautéing onions and garlic until they release their aromatic essence, approximately 3 minutes.
2. Introduce diced carrots, cubed potatoes, and a sprinkle of smoked paprika, allowing the vegetables to soften and develop deeper flavors for 5 minutes.
3. Carefully fold chopped collard greens into the pot, then pour in vegetable broth. Elevate heat to create a robust boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer.
4. Cover the pot and let the soup gently bubble for 25-30 minutes, ensuring vegetables become perfectly tender and ingredients meld together harmoniously.
5. Taste and calibrate the seasoning, adding salt and pepper to enhance the soup’s overall depth and balance. Allow the soup to rest briefly before ladling into warm bowls.

Notes

• Enhance the soup’s depth by using homemade vegetable broth for a richer, more complex flavor profile.
• Swap smoked paprika with chipotle powder for a spicier, smokier kick that adds extra warmth to the dish.
• For a protein boost, stir in cooked white beans or diced chicken during the last 10 minutes of simmering.
• Make the soup gluten-free and low-carb by replacing potatoes with cauliflower florets or reducing the potato quantity.

• Prep Time: 8 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Southern Cuisine

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 3g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 7g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 0mg