Caldo verde: how to put it on the menu
Caldo verde is Portugal’s signature soup: a smooth potato and onion broth with kale cut into very thin ribbons, a drizzle of olive oil and a slice of chouriço on top.
Updated October 2026
How it reads on the menu, in each language
| Language | Name | Line for the guest |
|---|---|---|
| Portuguese | Caldo verde | Sopa de batata com couve-galega cortada fina, azeite e uma rodela de chouriço. |
| English | Caldo verde | Traditional potato soup with finely shredded kale, olive oil and a slice of chouriço sausage. |
| Spanish | Caldo verde | Sopa tradicional de patata con col gallega en tiras finas, aceite de oliva y una rodaja de chorizo. |
| French | Caldo verde | Soupe traditionnelle de pommes de terre au chou vert finement émincé, huile d’olive et une rondelle de chouriço. |
Usual allergens to check
None of the 14 allergens is part of the base recipe. Check the sausages, stocks and sides you use.
A guide based on the traditional recipe. Only your recipe and your suppliers tell you what the dish contains. How to list allergens
What Caldo verde is
It comes from the Minho in the north but is served everywhere, and is a must at the Santos Populares and summer festivals, often with cornbread (broa).
How to write it for visitors
“Green soup” describes the colour, not the dish. Say it is potato soup with kale and chouriço — and if you have a version without chouriço, list it as a vegetarian option.
Where and when it is eaten
In the Minho, Braga, Porto and all over Portugal, as a starter or late supper. In many tascas it is the permanent soup of the day.
Frequently asked questions
Does caldo verde contain allergens?
The base recipe (potato, onion, kale, olive oil, chouriço) contains none of the 14 allergens. Check the chouriço’s label, which may list sulphites or other additives, and the broa if you serve it alongside (gluten).
Is caldo verde vegetarian?
No, because of the chouriço. Without it, and made with water only, it is vegan.