Caldo Verde is a silky Portuguese green soup bursting with rustic comfort, warmth, and nostalgic flavour. This is a Vegan version of the popular classic.
The basic traditional ingredients for caldo verde are potatoes, collard greens (although kale may be substituted), olive oil and salt. Additionally garlic or onion may be added. I substituted spinach in place of collard greens or Kale (both of which are sparsely available where I live ).
The resultant soup was a light broth and went well with toasted French Bread and oven grilled sweet potato. Addition of cherry tomatoes (though not in the original recipe) added a dash of tang to the otherwise slightly bland soup. As I was making this for the younger girl, I didn’t add too many green chilies but I think that would upped the spice factor manifold.
Either way, we all enjoyed it with a dash of white pepper powder. Do make it for those autumnal or winter suppers and dont forget to use Vegetable stock (instead of water) – I always use my low salt, homemade Vegetrable broth made with scraps. it tastes delicious. This is one soup that just doesn’t disappoint…
Other Soups on the blog that you may like:
A bit of history about Portuguese cuisine and Caldo Verde
Caldo verde is one of those dishes that quietly tells the story of Portuguese cuisine at its most honest and heartfelt. Originating in the rural Minho region of northern Portugal, it reflects a time when cooking was guided by season, scarcity, and care for family. Potatoes, onions, garlic, and finely shredded greens were transformed into a nourishing soup that could warm both body and spirit. As Portugal’s culinary identity evolved, a few slices of chouriço and a drizzle of olive oil added depth and celebration without losing its humble roots. Caldo verde became a fixture at village feasts, late-night gatherings, and family tables across generations. Its simplicity mirrors the broader Portuguese approach to food — respectful of ingredients, rich in tradition, and deeply communal. More than a recipe, it represents comfort, resilience, and a sense of home. Even today, one bowl can feel like being welcomed into a Portuguese kitchen.
Dish : Caldo Verde (Greens Soup)
Spice level : Low to Medium
Serving suggestions : Toasted French Bread and oven grilled sweet potato
Prep time : 10 mins | Cook time : 15 mins | Serves : 2
Adapted from Jamie Oliver’s recipe
Ingredients for Portuguese Caldo Verde:
- 1 cup Spinach (or Kale / Collard greens – packed)
- 2 cups Homemade Vegetable stock (about 300 ml)
- 1 medium Onion (minced)
- 1 medium Potato (peeled and cubed)
- 2 pods Garlic
- 2 Green chillies (minced fine, adjust spice)
- 1 TBSP Olive Oil
- 1/4 cup Cherry tomatoes (optional)**
- 1 tsp Salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp White pepper powder (adjust spice)
How to make Caldo Verde:
- In a saucepan, heat olive oil. Saute onions and garlic for 2 mins. Now add the spinach and wilt it a bit (about 2 -3 mins).
- Next, add the cherry tomatoes, salt and let the tomatoes sweat a bit.
- Now add the boiled and cubed potatoes and saute for 4-6 mins.
- Once little mushy, add the vegetable stock, cover and simmer for 8-10 mins till potatoes turn a bit mushy.
- Lightly press one or two pieces of this cooked potato to give it a little volume to the Soup.
- Switch off the flame, and finish with pepper powder.
- Serve hot wit croutons or toasted bread.
Notes:
You can make this without tomatoes too.
If you are serving this to adults, you might want to crank up the spice a little more and/ or use more green black pepper too while sauteeing the onions
That's an interesting soup…very healthy!
Delicious looking soup. Bookmarking the recipe.
Nice soup for winter, healthy and filling.
Simple, flavorful soup.
I had bookmarked it as well but remembered about the pierogis and changed it in the last minute! Lovely soup!
i made it too..mine not only tastes bland it looks bland too 🙂 but while consuming we made a lot of changes on the fly and made it interesting..yours looks much more appetising
Prefect soup to have while the weather is chilled outside, looks healthy and hearty.
wow such an tempting and super delicious soup 🙂 Love the kale and cherry tomatoes addition to the soup , very very healthy one 🙂 I wud love to finish is on a cold day or any day 🙂
Love the way you have presented it, I am not a soup person, but I like the ingredients in this soup and a good choice for the country.
Another healthy & hearty soup.
You are amazing me with an array of beautiful and delicious soups for this BM. This looks nice..
lovely soup for the cool weather we are getting now
Soup looks very appetizing Kalyani.With the skies threatening to pour, I would love to have that bowl right now 🙂
Love the calda.Its different from my version but delicious none the less