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Caldo Gallego pronounced “Cald-o Gay-yay-go,” also known as Collard Green Soup, is inspired by the charming Columbia Restaurant. It is a simple yet hearty dish perfect for busy weeknights. With smoky ham, tender collard greens, and soft potatoes, this soup delivers rich, comforting flavors without spending hours in the kitchen.
Whether you’re familiar with the classic version or trying it for the first time, this quick recipe will bring bold, savory taste to your table in no time.
What is Caldo Gallego?
Caldo Gallego originated in the Galicia region of northwest Spain. This area is known for its rural, agricultural landscape, and the soup reflects the region’s traditional use of hearty, locally available ingredients like greens, potatoes, and pork. Historically, Galcian Soup was a staple for farmers and rural families, providing a nutritious and filling meal with simple, seasonal ingredients from their gardens.
I first fell in love with this Spanish white bean soup after years of dining at one of our family’s favorite spots—The Columbia Restaurant in Tampa, FL. We’ve enjoyed many meals there, and this soup quickly became a staple for us. It’s packed with such incredible flavor that it’s hard not to crave it again and again!
Wanting to bring those same comforting flavors home, I worked on recreating a version that fits into my busy schedule using easy, convenient ingredients. After testing and tweaking to get the perfect flavor combinations, I now have a quick, go-to recipe that delivers all the richness of a slow-simmered soup without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredient Notes
How to Make Turnip Green Soup
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1 | Sauté onions and garlic
Heat a large pot over medium heat and drizzle in some avocado or olive oil. Toss in the chopped onions and cook until they’re nice and translucent.
Then, add the minced garlic and cook for about a minute until it’s fragrant.
Step 2 | Brown chorizo and ham
Next, throw in the chorizo and ham. Cook them until you see a bit of brown on the edges. This adds a lovely depth of flavor.
Step 3 | Add potatoes and beans
Add in the diced potatoes, turnips (if you’re using them), chicken stock, cans of beans (don’t drain them!), ham flavoring, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Bring it all to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and let it cook for 20-30 minutes or until the potatoes and turnips are tender.
Step 4 | Cook greens and serve
Turn the heat down to medium-low and stir in the greens. Let them cook for about 10-15 minutes until wilted. If you have the time, simmer it a bit longer to let the flavors meld even more.
Serve it up with some warm Cuban bread or a crusty loaf, and enjoy a bowl of good, hearty comfort!
Recipe Tips
- Brown the Ham & Chorizo: When cooking the chorizo and ham, look for some browning. This adds extra flavor, so don’t rush it!
- Taste as You Go: Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to your taste. Beans and ham can vary in saltiness, so it’s best to taste and tweak as needed.
- Greens Wilt Perfectly: When adding greens, don’t overcook them. They should be wilted but still vibrant and slightly tender, adding flavor and texture to the soup.
Slow Cooker Collard Green Soup
You can also make Caldo Gallego in the crockpot. Add all the ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the potatoes and greens are tender. If you are cooking all day, you can add in the collards the last 30 minutes to 1 hour of cooking, if preferred.
Variations and Substitutions
- Use Dried Beans: You can soak dried beans overnight for an enhanced flavor and texture, but I like to use canned beans for convenience, and they still taste super delicious!
- Add More Veggies: You can bulk up this already hearty soup with carrots, celery, or other veggies that work well in soup, adding some extra nutrients, too. (This, of course, changes the taste, but if you are looking for ways to add in additional veggies, you can)
- Add a Kick: Some people like to add a hint of heat to their favorite hot sauce or a few red pepper flakes. Feel free to try this if you like your dishes on the hotter side.
- Vegetarian Collard Green Soup: The chorizo and ham contribute a lot of flavor, but you can leave them out and enjoy a meat-free vegetarian dish that is still packed with plenty of nutrients. Use a vegetable broth and add paprika, parsley, or your favorite spices to replace the pork and ham seasoning flavors.
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Recipe FAQs
Yep, collard green soup is pretty good for you! It’s packed with nutrients from the greens and beans, plus it’s hearty and filling. It’s a comforting way to get some good veggies in your diet.
Should collards be soaked before cooking?
Nope, collards don’t need to be soaked before cooking. Just give them a good rinse, chop them up, and they’re ready to go!
Traditionally, Caldo Gallego uses chorizo and ham. Some variations include adding bacon or ham hocks for additional flavor.
Storage
Refrigerate Leftovers: Caldo Gallego will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days when stored correctly in an airtight container.
Freeze for Long-term Storage: Let it cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container or bag. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Make-Ahead Tips: You can also make it ahead of time. In fact, letting it sit for a day or two in the fridge often allows the flavors to develop even more. Just be sure to reheat it thoroughly before serving.
What to Serve with Caldo Gallego
If you like to sop up savory soup broth with a warm slice of Cuban bread or air-fried easy garlic bread, serve this collard green soup with my Green Chile Bread, which is soft on the inside and adds just the right amount of cheesy goodness.
Or, keep the Columbia Restaurant inspiration going with their famous family-style 1905 Salad. Trust me, this is one of those salads that even the salad-haters will love!
Want more delicious recipes inspired by your favorite restaurants? This Cinnamon Honey Butter is identical to the famous Texas Roadhouse butter, and I’m a real sucker for it! Or, if you’re craving something a little lighter, try my Chick-fil-A-inspired Kale Crunch Salad. Yum!
More Easy and Delicious Collard Green Recipes
- Southern Collard Greens
- Collard Greens au Gratin
- Instant Pot Black-Eyed Pea and Collard Green Soup
- Collard Greens Wrapped Pork Roast
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Caldo Gallego (Collard Green Soup)
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil, (or olive oil)
- 1 small yellow onion
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic, or more to taste
- 2 links dried spanish chorizo, peeled, sliced into ½ in coins, then diced into 4 or 6 cubes. (peeling is optional but recommended if you want to leave slices)
- 16 ounce ham steak with bone in, cubed or sliced, boned removed before serving
- 3 large russet potatoes, diced into 1 inch cubes
- 8 cups chicken stock or broth
- 2 cans great northern beans, 15.5 ounce cans, undrained (or cannellini beans)
- 1 packet Goya ham flavoring, if you have a ham bone, you can cook that in the soup in place of the flavoring
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 16 ounces collard greens, kale or turnip greens (if using turnips you can add in 1 to 2 diced turnips as well)
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium heat and add in the olive oil and onions and sauté until the onions are translucent.
- Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for just about 1 minute.
- Add the chorizo and ham to the same pot and cook until you start to see slightly brown edges on the meat.
- Add in the potatoes, turnips (if usings), chicken stock, cans of beans, ham flavoring, salt, and pepper, and bring to a full boil then reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and for about 20 – 30 minutes or until the potatoes and turnips (if using) are soft.
- Turn the heat to medium low and add the greens. Allow to cook for about 10-15 minutes or until the greens are wilted. You may also simmer on low heat for longer to allow the flavors to further develop if desired.
- Serve with warm cuban bread or a crusty bread.
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Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
©️Soulfully Made
This soup is delicious and full of flavor. My husband absolutely loved it. Perfect for fall weather.
Thank you, Peggy!
This soup is delicious! Your family will love it!
Thank you!
Had this for dinner this week and it was a hit! So much flavor. I made it in the crock pot and it was ready after work.
I am so glad to hear you enjoyed it. I love meals that are ready when we come in from work! Stress-Free dinner for the win! Thanks so much for the 5 star rating and for stopping by to tell us!
I’ve been making lots of soups this summer and I’m excited to try this new one out. I love everything at Columbia Restaurant so I’m sure this will be delicious.
Thank you, Julie! I agree everything I’ve had there is so delicious. I love to recreate recipes to enjoy at home.