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Portuguese Bean Soup

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Hawai‘i’s Portuguese Bean Soup is a hearty, flavorful dish made with smoked ham, Portuguese sausage, beans, potatoes, and fresh greens. This comforting soup carries rich cultural tradition and is perfect for family gatherings or potlucks.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8–10 servings

Ingredients

56 pieces of smoked ham shank

2 (10-ounce) Portuguese sausages, diced

1 large onion, diced

4 stalks celery, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 (14-ounce) cans diced tomatoes

2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce

1 quart water

2 cans kidney or garbanzo beans, drained

2 potatoes, cubed

3 medium carrots, diced

1 small head cabbage, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 bunch watercress, cut into -inch pieces

Salt, black pepper, and Tabasco sauce to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, combine ham shanks, sausage, onion, celery, garlic, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
  2. Remove ham shanks. Trim skin and fat, then dice the meat.
  3. Add beans, potatoes, and carrots to the pot. Simmer for 15 minutes.
  4. Stir in diced ham, cabbage, and watercress. Simmer for another 15 minutes.
  5. Season with salt, black pepper, and Tabasco to taste. Serve hot with rice, bread, or macaroni.

Notes

  • Serve with rice or macaroni for a classic local-style variation.
  • For a spicier kick, add more Tabasco or crushed red pepper.
  • Use turkey sausage or lean ham for a lighter version.
  • Watercress can be swapped with kale or spinach.
  • Add zucchini, corn, or bell peppers for extra vegetables.
  • Author: Monica
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Stovetop Simmer
  • Cuisine: Hawaiian
  • Diet: Halal

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 9g
  • Sodium: 1180mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 9g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 65mg