Print Recipe ♥ Save Recipe

Oma's German Kale and Sausage Soup (Grünkohl und Wurstsuppe)

This German kale and sausage soup, Grünkohl und Wurstsuppe, is perfect for when you're wanting down-home goodness. It's the kind Oma made for any meat-and-potato lover!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) kale, fresh or frozen
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1½ pounds (681 grams) potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 carrots, sliced or cubed
• 3 celery ribs, chopped
• 1 pound (454 grams) smoked sausages, sliced
• 6 cups (1.4 liters) chicken or vegetable broth
• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. If you’re using fresh kale, strip the leaves from the stalk. Chop the leaves into small pieces and discard the stalks. If you’re using frozen kale, try and break the leaves apart into smaller pieces.
2. In a large soup pot, heat the oil and add the onions. Cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook another minute.
3. Add the kale, potatoes, carrots, celery, sausages, and broth. Bring to a boil.
4. Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer until the veggies are tender, about 20 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper, and serve.

Notes/Hints:

• Add a pinch of cayenne if you like things spicy.
• Use a potato masher to mash the soup slightly if you like the texture of the soup to be thicker rather than broth-y.
• Add a bit of lemon juice at the end to give a brighter flavor.
• Add other veggies sitting in your crisper, such as cauliflower, broccoli and parsnips. Sweet potatoes would be good as well.
• If you are using jarred or canned kale, simply drain it and add the kale towards the end of the cooking time.

*  *  *  *  *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

Updated January 7, 2026