Portuguese bean soup is a beloved Hawaii local-style soup, shaped by plantation-era food traditions and island home cooking. It belongs on the site because it is one of the classic soups many Hawaii residents and visitors immediately recognize.

If you enjoy this style of Pacific cooking, you may also want to try chicken long rice, chalakiles.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces smoked sausage, sliced
1 can kidney beans, drained
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups cabbage, chopped
2 carrots, sliced
1 potato, diced
1 can diced tomatoes

Instructions

Cook the onion and garlic in oil until softened.
Add the sausage and cook briefly.
Add the broth, beans, tomatoes, cabbage, carrots, and potato.
Simmer until the vegetables are tender and the soup is flavorful.
Serve hot.

Helpful Tips

Different local versions vary, so adjust the vegetables to taste.
Let the soup simmer long enough for the sausage flavor to spread through the pot.
It is often even better the next day.