How to Make the Fish River Grill Swamp Soup Recipe at Home
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Fish River Grill is recognized to be the original Baldwin County seafood restaurant. It is located in the resort city of Gulf Shores. Gulf Shores – a beachside enclave situated along the Gulf of Mexico in southern Alabama. Gulf Shores and surrounding towns are where some of the freshest fish are caught daily, and tourism is the main component of the local economy.
Fish River Grill serves authentic southern-style seafood, signature cocktails, and other local food favorites – including the best burgers in the area. The restaurant operates four Alabama locations of its Funky Redneck Joint – which is world-famous for its signature version of “Swamp Soup.”
The swamp soup served by the Fish River Grill is somewhat of a cross-combination of vegetable soup, Italian Wedding soup, and navy bean soup. The restaurant offers its swamp soup in a free sample four-ounce portion to each customer or a regular portion. Fish River Grill offers some of the best around if you have never tried swamp soup.
If you can’t make it to the beautiful coast of southern Alabama, you can make this Fish River Grill Swamp soup recipe at home.
How to Make the Fish River Grill Swamp Soup Recipe at Home
The restaurant serves everyone a four-ounce portion of their world-renowned Swamp Soup, a deliciously crafted hot concoction of turnip greens, various beans, sausage, broth, and spices.
- Preparation Time – 15 minutes.
- Cooking Time – 20 minutes.
- Total Prep & Cook Time – 35 minutes.
- Serves – 4 – 8.
The List of Ingredients For Fish River Grill Swamp Soup Recipe
The depth of flavor is remarkable when one considers these ingredients as pantry items that are typically kept on hand.
- 2 – 10 oz. Packages of Fresh, Chopped Turnip Greens or One 27 Oz. Can Turnip Greens – Rinsed Well.
Pro-tip – Both fresh and canned turnip greens work equally well; however, the canned may be slightly quicker to cook. Note that you can substitute collard greens, mustard greens, or spinach for turnip greens for a deliciously flavorful soup. - 1 Small Onion – Chopped Very Fine.
- 1 Package of DRY Knorr Vegetable Soup mix.
Pro-tip – this soup mix combines onions, tomatoes, carrots, leeks, potatoes, celery root, peas, broccoli, cabbage, and garlic. - 1 15 oz. Can of Northern Beans – Rinse the Beans Well.
- 1 15 oz. Can of Navy Beans – Rinse the Beans Well.
Pro-tip – Add some black-eyed peas to the soup for added smokiness as a background flavor.
Additionally
- 5 cups of Low Sodium Chicken Broth (The boxed kind of broth is ideal).
- 1 lb. Package. of Smoked Sausage – Sliced Thin & Cut Into One Inch Pieces.
Pro-tip – You can substitute turkey or chicken sausage for the smoked kielbasa or sausage. Browning the sausage for a few minutes in a separate pan before cooking the soup adds a dimension to the soup’s flavor profile. Chopped ham works well, or add some mudballs to the swamp soup by adding meatballs as the protein. - 1 Teaspoon of Tabasco or Hot Sauce – More or Less to Suit Your Taste.
- 1 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder.
Pro-tip – you can substitute a diced clove of garlic instead of using a teaspoon of garlic powder. - Add Cracked Black Pepper to Taste.
- Do NOT Add Salt – because the KNORR dry soup mix has enough, and the beans and turnip greens, if canned, are typically sold salted. Adding salt will likely cause you to over salt this swamp soup recipe.
Cooking Directions For Fish River Grill Swamp Soup
In about a half-hour, you can craft this delicious copy-cat swamp soup recipe by following these instructions –
- Dice & cook the finely chopped onion in a non-stick 5-quart saucepan.
- Brown and cook the onions – stirring occasionally – until they become transparent and tender, usually about five minutes.
- Slice the smoked chicken or turkey sausage into one-inch pieces.
- Add the fresh or canned turnip greens, KNORR soup mix, northern and navy beans, low-sodium chicken broth, sausage, tabasco sauce, and garlic to the saucepan and stir well.
- Bring the swamp soup base to a boil and then reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer the swamp soup for a few minutes. You will know when the soup is done because the KNORR dry soup mix (and its green pea content) will be thoroughly cooked.
- Ladle into warm soup bowls and serve.
Cooking Tips and Suggestions
- To change the texture or consistency of the soup, you can add more chicken stock.
- Many people throw in some small-shaped pasta to add some heartiness to the swamp soup.
- This swamp soup is even better when served the next day, when you may want to add a can of beans while reheating.
- This swamp soup recipe can be made in the slow cooker or crockpot instead of the stovetop. Simply add all the ingredients and set the crockpot on low for five to six hours.
Can this Fish River Grill Swamp Soup Recipe be made Vegetarian?
Yes, it is easy to convert this to a vegetarian recipe. Simply substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth, and leave out the meat – to make a delicious and comforting bowl of swamp soup – vegetarian style.
What is the Nutritional Content of this Swamp Soup from Fish River Grill?
A serving of Swamp Soup has approximately 130 calories, which makes it a low-calorie option. The soup is high in nutrition and is low in fat, cholesterol, and carbs. Fish River Grill’s Swamp Soup is also high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Can this Fish River Grill Swamp Soup Recipe Be Frozen?
Swamp Soup stores and freezes well. The soup stays in the fridge for a few days or up to a month in the freezer if you properly store it in an airtight container after it has cooled to room temperature. Swamp soup reheats on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a bit of broth when reheating.
What are Some Side Dish Suggestions for this Swamp Soup from the Fish River Grill?
This savory soup pairs well with something sweet with a bit of texture. Consider serving this delicious soup with –
- Warm pumpkin biscuits.
- Cornbread.
- Honey-glazed cornbread donuts, to name a few.
