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Meat, European

Kale with smoked sausage

Kale with smoked sausage is a braised dish from northern Germany, serving 4, ready in 90 minutes, rated easy, for about €2.90 per person. Blanched kale simmers with bacon and broth until tender, the sausages steam gently on top, and rolled oats thicken the braising liquid, the traditional way. Success comes down to blanching the kale properly and letting it simmer low and slow.

I'm suggesting the winter dish from northern Germany, a Grünkohl of braised kale with smoked sausage, bacon, and potatoes.

Kale with smoked sausage
Total time
1 h 30
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.90
Calories per person
680 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall

Kale with smoked sausage is the kind of dish that simmers quietly while you get on with other things. The kale turns tender as it cooks with bacon and broth, the smoked sausages share their flavor with the greens, and rolled oats give the braising liquid a slightly thick texture, the traditional northern German way. It's a straightforward winter dish, no fuss, that genuinely warms you up.

It's the perfect Sunday dinner when you have a bit of time on your hands, or something to make the day before and reheat, since it only gets better. Plain boiled potatoes on the side are all you need for a complete, filling meal, ideal when it's cold outside and the whole family needs something that sticks to your ribs.

The ingredients

4 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Fresh kale 1 kg
  • Onions 2
  • Potatoes 900 g

Butcher

  • Diced smoked bacon 150 g
  • Smoked sausages 4

Pantry

  • Chicken brothoften in the pantry 40 cl
  • Mustardoften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Rolled oatsoften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Lard or oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Mustard

The step by step recipe

  1. Remove the tough ribs from the kale, wash it thoroughly, and blanch it in boiling water for two minutes. Drain well and chop it. 5 min

    Blanching removes the bitterness and saves time later.

  2. Sauté the onions and bacon in the lard until lightly browned. 8 min

    Keep the fat rendered from the bacon, it flavors the whole dish.

  3. Add the kale, broth, and rolled oats, cover, and let simmer over low heat. 40 min

    The oats traditionally thicken the braising liquid slightly.

  4. Place the sausages on top of the kale and continue cooking covered. Cook the potatoes separately. 25 min

    Keep the sausages whole, they cook gently in the kale's steam.

  5. Stir in the mustard, adjust the seasoning, and serve the kale with the sausages and potatoes.

    This dish tastes even better reheated the next day.

Our tips to get it right

  • Don't skip washing the kale thoroughly, its curly leaves easily trap dirt and sand.
  • Choose sausages that are already cooked or fully smoked, they only need to warm through in the kale's steam.
  • If the liquid looks too thin at the end, let it simmer uncovered a few more minutes to reduce.

The variations

  • Swap the bacon for smoked turkey bacon for a leaner version.
  • For a vegetarian version, skip the bacon and sausages, and simmer the kale in vegetable broth with diced potatoes added right into the pot.
  • For a quicker version, use pre cut frozen kale, it cuts the prep time noticeably.

What to serve it with

  • Plain boiled potatoes
  • Crusty rye bread
  • Light lager or cider

Storage

This dish keeps for 3 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. It freezes well for up to 2 months, kept separate from the potatoes. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth if needed.

Questions about this dish

Can you use frozen kale?

Yes, frozen kale works very well and skips the blanching step entirely. Just thaw it before adding it to the pot, the result stays tender.

Can you make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, it's actually recommended, this dish tastes better reheated the next day. Make the kale and sausages ahead, and cook the potatoes fresh on the day.

What can replace the rolled oats?

You can replace them with a small spoonful of flour or cornstarch mixed with water to thicken the liquid. Oats remain the traditional choice for this German dish.

What kind of sausage works best here?

Smoked sausages like Kassler or Mettwurst work perfectly. The key is choosing sausages that are already smoked and cooked, so they only need to warm through in the kale.

How long does it take to make a Grünkohl, German braised kale with smoked sausage and bacon, served with potatoes?

Count 1 h 30 in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a Grünkohl, German braised kale with smoked sausage and bacon, served with potatoes?

About 680 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a Grünkohl, German braised kale with smoked sausage and bacon, served with potatoes cost?

About €2.90 per serving, or €11.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains mustard. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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