A Deliciously Tasty Smoked Sausage Soup Recipe
Smoked sausage is a specific type of sausage that is cooked and flavored by one of several smoking methods. Different cultures across the globe have unique variations of smoked sausage. Traditionally, smoked sausage is crafted by combining ground meat and spices into a casing. The sausage is put through a smoking process, which gives it its distinct aroma/flavor.
Sausages are usually cured (i.e., preserved) and then smoked for long stretches of time at low heat. This permits the smoke to have the time it needs to penetrate the casing and meat with its smoky flavor. The time required to smoke the sausage will depend on the exact method you choose, the recipe, and the chef or company making the delicious smoked sausage.
Smoked sausage can be made from a variety of meats/fats, seasonings, and fillings. Often, they are made from pork, chicken, beef, turkey, and more. The popular varieties of smoked sausage include, in part –
- Chorizo – the Spanish version is cured and is now widespread across the world.
- Kielbasa – a Polish sausage usually made with beef and pork.
- Bratwurst – the German variety of sausage that can be made from pork, beef, or veal.
- Andouille – a spicy sausage from Louisiana that is typically made with pork.
Smoked sausage can be eaten as a snack or is found in many types of cuisines – from soups to stews and sandwiches and more.
How to Make this Deliciously Tasty Smoked Sausage Soup Recipe
This smoked sausage soup hearty, delicious, and cost-effective. If your objective is to create a fast and easy dinner option, smoked sausage soup hits the right notes.
- Preparation Time – 15 to 20 minutes.
- Cooking Time – 40 minutes.
- Total Time – 55 to 60 minutes
- Serves – 5 to 6.
Ingredients For this Tasty Smoked Sausage Soup Recipe
This delicious soup is crafted with the following ingredients –
- 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil
Pro-Tip – Any oil that works for sauteing will work, so select your favorite. - 14 – 16 Ounces of Fully Cooked Smoked Sausage – Slice into bite-size pieces.
- 1 Medium Onion – Finely Diced – yellow or white works well.
- 2 Carrots – Slice the carrot into rounds (or ½ rounds), depending on the size of the carrot.
- 2 Celery Ribs Sliced Or Diced.
- 3 – 4 Garlic Cloves Minced.
- ½ Teaspoon of Dried Oregano.
- ½ Teaspoon of Dried Thyme.
- ¼ Teaspoon of Dried Rosemary.
- ¼ Teaspoon of Black Pepper.
- 5 Cups of Chicken Broth.
- 12 Ounces of Small Red Potatoes – Cut the red potatoes into quarters or halves depending on the size of the red potatoes. Once cut, you can leave your potatoes in a bowl of cold water. This simple trick help prevent the potatoes from discoloring and turning brown.
- 1 15 Oz. Can of Cannellini Beans – Drained & Rinsed.
Pro-tip- You can substitute a different type of bean that you prefer. Navy or great northern beans work well in this tasty smoked sausage soup recipe. - Salt To Taste.
Cooking Directions For this Tasty Smoked Sausage Soup Recipe
This is a quick soup recipe; things move quickly, so prep the ingredients ahead of time. Use a 6-quart enamel Dutch Oven (or similar cooking vessel) as this works best.
- In a Dutch Oven or a large pan, over a medium flame, heat one tablespoon of olive oil.
- When the olive oil becomes hot (but not yet smoking), add the sausage to the pan.
- Fry the sausage pieces for approximately 2 to 3 minutes. This is when the sausage starts to form golden brown spots.
- Add the finely diced onions, carrots, and celery to the hot pan.
- Cook these vegetables for approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Be sure to stir frequently.
- Add the spices – oregano, garlic, thyme, rosemary, and black pepper. Stir and cook these additional spices for one minute.
- Add the chicken broth while scraping the delicious bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.
- Turn up the heat to a high flame/burner to bring the soup base to a boil. Note that this will typically take 3 to 4 minutes to reach a boiling temperature.
- Once the broth has reached a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Cover the pot and allow the smoked sausage soup to simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir occasionally.
- Add the red potatoes and the cannellini beans to the soup. As a reminder – if you kept the diced potatoes in cold water, be sure you drain them well before adding them to the smoked sausage soup.
- Raise the heat from medium to high and bring the soup to a boil. Then, lower the flame under the soup to medium-low and cover it.
- Allow the soup to cook for 10 to 15 minutes. This is when the red potatoes will become tender enough to slip a knife tip into the potato without any resistance.
- Simmer the smoked sausage soup, stirring occasionally to make sure none of the flavorful ingredients are sticking to the pan’s bottom.
- Taste and add salt, if needed.
Side Dish Recommendations for this Smoke Sausage Soup
This is a hearty soup that many consider a meal of its own. If you want to pair the soup with a side dish, consider –
- A side salad
- White rice
- Crackers
- Crusty bread
FAQS
What are the Storage Recommendations for this Smoked Sausage Soup Recipe?
Leftovers of this smoked sausage soup should be stored in an airtight container to keep best. In the refrigerator, this tasty smoked sausage soup will stay fresh for a maximum of 4 days. To reheat, use a saucepan or a microwave.
This recipe for smoked sausage soup includes potatoes, which makes it not a great idea to freeze the soup. This is because the potatoes when frozen, become grainy and mushy. If you want to freeze the soup, be sure to use an appropriate container and leave room (1 to 2 inches) for the liquid to expand when frozen. The soup should keep well for up to three months.
How Does the Smoked Sausage Soup’s Nutritional Content Stack Up?
A serving of this smoked sausage soup has 461 calories. The soup has 19 grams of protein and is high in potassium and fiber. In addition, this nutritious soup offers Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Iron, and calcium.
