Dish guides
What is caldo verde?
Caldo verde ("green broth") is one of Portugal's best-known soups: a smooth base of puréed potato, onion and garlic with very finely shredded dark cabbage (couve-galega) stirred in at the end, finished with olive oil and usually a slice or two of chouriço sausage. It comes from the Minho in the north and is eaten all over Portugal, as a starter or a late-night snack.
- At a glance
- Caldo verde
- Portuguese potato soup with finely shredded greens, olive oil and a slice of chouriço.
- Pronunciation
- Say it like KAL-doo VEHR-duh · IPA /ˈkaɫdu ˈveɾðɨ/
- Also written as
- caldo verde com chouriço, caldo verde sem chouriço, sopa de caldo verde, green soup, kale soup
What’s in it
Core ingredients
- potatoes
- onion and garlic
- couve-galega (a dark leafy cabbage), cut into thin threads
- olive oil
- salt
Often added
- slices of chouriço, paio or linguiça
- black pepper
- broa (corn and rye bread) on the side
- kale or other greens outside Portugal
- meat stock instead of water
Allergens
| Allergen | How likely |
|---|---|
| Sulphites | Sometimes contains |
| Gluten | Rarely contains |
| Celery | Rarely contains |
| Dairy | Rarely contains |
| Eggs | Rarely contains |
| Peanuts | Rarely contains |
| Tree nuts | Rarely contains |
| Shellfish | Rarely contains |
| Fish | Rarely contains |
| Soy | Rarely contains |
| Sesame | Rarely contains |
| Diet | Suitable? |
|---|---|
| Vegetarian | Depends — The soup itself is usually made with water, potatoes, greens and olive oil, but chouriço is often cooked in it or added on top, and some cooks use meat stock. Ask for it "sem chouriço" and check the stock. |
| Vegan | Depends — Same as vegetarian: there's normally no dairy or egg. |
| Pescatarian | Depends — Same as vegetarian. |
| Halal | Depends — The usual garnish is pork sausage, often simmered with the potatoes; a version cooked without it would be a special request. |
| Kosher | No |
| Gluten-free | Usually — Potato, greens and olive oil contain no gluten. The bread served alongside (broa) usually contains wheat or rye. |
Allergen and calorie details are AI estimates based on the menu and typical recipes. They can be incomplete — if you have a serious allergy, always check with the staff.
What goes into caldo verde
Potatoes, onion and garlic are boiled in water and blended into a smooth, pale base. Just before serving, a heap of couve-galega, a dark green leafy cabbage similar to collard greens, cut into hair-thin threads, goes in and cooks for only a few minutes so it stays bright and slightly firm. A good glug of olive oil goes on top.
Most versions add chouriço, a smoked pork sausage seasoned with paprika and garlic, and in many regions with wine, which can bring a little sulphite. It's often simmered with the potatoes, then sliced and laid on top of each bowl. Outside Portugal, kale or other greens often replace the couve-galega, which is why caldo verde is sometimes translated as kale soup.
How to order it
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Um caldo verde, por favor. | A caldo verde, please. |
| Pode ser sem chouriço? | Could I have it without chouriço? |
| A sopa é feita com caldo de carne? | Is the soup made with meat stock? |
Not to be confused with
- Caldo galego — The Galician cousin across the border, with turnip greens, white beans and pork, thicker and heartier.
- Sopa de legumes — Portugal's everyday puréed vegetable soup, often listed as sopa do dia; smooth and without the threads of greens.
- Canja — Chicken and rice soup, a Portuguese comfort food; clear broth rather than potato purée.
Frequently asked questions
Is caldo verde vegetarian?
Not reliably. The soup base is usually potato, onion, garlic, greens, water and olive oil, but chouriço is commonly cooked in it or added on top, and some kitchens use meat stock. Ask "Pode ser sem chouriço?" (Can it be without chouriço?) and check whether the stock is made with meat.
Is caldo verde made with kale?
In Portugal it's made with couve-galega, a dark green leafy cabbage that's close to collard greens, cut into very fine threads. Outside Portugal, kale is the usual substitute, so many English menus call it kale soup. The taste is similar: mild, green and slightly bitter against the creamy potato base.
Is caldo verde gluten free?
Usually, yes. It's made from potatoes, greens, olive oil and often chouriço, and it isn't normally thickened with flour. Check the sausage if you're coeliac, since processed meats can contain fillers, and remember that the broa bread served alongside usually contains wheat or rye.
How do you pronounce caldo verde?
Say KAL-doo VEHR-duh: in IPA, [ˈkaɫdu ˈveɾðɨ]. The final o of caldo sounds like "oo", and the final e of verde is very short, almost silent, as in most European Portuguese words. The l in caldo is dark, as in the English "call".
.jpg){kind=link}