Portuguese Bean Soup | Around the World in a Bowl of Soup with Chef Ricky

Portuguese sausage

🥗Healthier: chicken sausage

💰Cheaper: smoked sausage

Chicken sausage reduces fat while maintaining flavor.

kidney beans

🥗Healthier: black beans

💰Cheaper: canned beans

Black beans offer similar texture and flavor.

chicken broth

🥗Healthier: vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water + bouillon

Vegetable broth is lower in calories and can be made easily.

smoked ham

🥗Healthier: turkey ham

💰Cheaper: cooked bacon

Turkey ham is leaner and still provides a smoky flavor.

Chop one medium to large onion.

Add 1.5 tablespoons of bacon grease to a pot and heat.

Add the chopped onion to the pot and sweat it down.

Chop a few cloves of garlic and add them to the pot after the onions have sweated.

Cut the linguisa into half moons and add it to the pot with the onions and garlic.

Stir the mixture to render the fat from the sausage and toast the spices.

Add canned tomatoes to the pot.

Add soaked pinto beans to the pot.

Cover the beans with water, about an inch above them.

Add a heavy pinch of salt and black pepper to the mixture.

Cover the pot and let it cook on low for 2-4 hours, adding water as needed.

After about 3 hours, the soup is ready to serve with a crusty bread roll.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: