Soup season is officially here and I'm dishing out the ultimate comfort food - Portuguese Sopa de Legumes! Get ready to warm your soul with this hearty and delicious vegetable soup.

Portuguese Soups

When Julian and I went to Portugal for our honeymoon last summer, I was impressed by all the delicious soup offerings whenever we went out to eat. They were even offered in food courts throughout the country! Soup is a major part of the food culture in Portugal, and we happily enjoyed this everywhere we could.

​What is Portuguese Sopa de Legumes?

Sopas de legumes - as the general name suggests - includes a number of vegetables and beans. It is often served as an appetizer, but is so good we often have it as our main dish!

Recipe Ingredients

While the full ingredient list is available in the detailed recipe card below, here is a list of the main ingredients you will need to make this delicious Portuguese recipe.

• Yellow potatoes
• Carrots
• Leeks
• White kidney beans
• Green cabbage
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Water
• Olive oil

Substitutions and Variations

If you would like to make some additions to this recipe, here are some suggestions!

• Add garlic cloves with the potatoes, carrots, and leeks - this will add some delicious garlicky goodness to your soup!
• You could try using fresh broad beans instead of white beans in this recipe. Note I have not tried this so cannot give a full recommendation on this substitution.
• If you want to add a source of animal protein in this soup, I would recommend adding sliced Portuguese chouriço at the same time you add the cabbage to the soup. If you can't find Portuguese chouriço, you could always use Spanish chorizo in a pinch.
• You could add sweet potato or spinach at the same time you add the cabbage to give the soup a little more bulk and variety.
• Add some brightness with a splash of fresh lemon juice before serving.

How to Make Sopa de Legumes

While the full recipe instructions are available in the recipe card below, here are some tips to make the perfect Portuguese vegetable soup!

• Add the water to a large pot along with the potatoes, carrots, leeks, and beans. Bring to a boil over medium heat and add a little salt. Continue boiling until fork tender.
• Blend with an immersion blender until your desired consistency. Add the sliced cabbage and a little olive oil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the soup until it is heated through and reaches a smooth consistency, stirring occasionally, approximately 30 minutes. Make sure you check the soup as it cooks and add a little more water if it gets too thick. Serve in bowls and top with a drizzle of olive oil. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

If you are not a fan of having slices of cabbage in your soup, you can always add the cabbage in the first step and then blend it along with the other vegetables. You will still need to continue cooking the soup for about twenty to thirty minutes after blending to ensure it reaches the right smooth consistency.

Storage and Reheating

Store your leftover soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three to five days. To reheat, you can either:

• Microwave your soup in intervals of thirty seconds to one minute, stirring in between until you reach your desired temperature.
• Add your soup to a small saucepan and heat over medium low heat, stirring often, until you reach your desired temperature. You can add some more water to thin it out if it gets too thick.

FAQ

How long can Portuguese vegetable soup sit out?

As with any food, you should not leave it out at room temperature for longer than two hours to avoid it spoiling.

What vegetables can I add to this soup?

You can adjust this recipe to add whichever vegetables you would like! Some suggestions of variations from the traditional recipe are garlic cloves, broad beans, sweet potato or spinach.

Is sopa de legumes vegetarian?

Yes - not only is this soup vegetarian, but it is also vegan since there are no animal byproducts used in it either.

Is sopa de legumes vegan?

Yes it is! There are only plant based ingredients in this soup, making it a vegan option.

How long does Portuguese vegetable soup keep in the fridge?

This soup will last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three to five days.

Other Soup Recipes You Will Love

Enjoy this recipe and looking for more delicious recipes to try this soup season? I've got you covered!

Portuguese Chicken Soup (Canja)

Easy Mulligatawny Soup

Easy InstantPot Cheeseburger Soup

Roasted Parsnip and Carrot Soup

Greek Chicken Soup (Avgolemono)