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North German Gruenkohl (Kale) and Sausage

North German Gruenkohl (Kale) and Sausage

Name: North German Gruenkohl (Kale) and Sausage
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 25 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound kale, stemmed and chopped; 3 slices bacon, chopped; ½ onion, chopped; 2 cups water, or as needed to cover; 2 teaspoons beef bouillon granules; ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 tablespoon prepared mustard; ½ pound thickly sliced cooked ham, or to taste; 4 links kielbasa sausage; salt and ground black pepper to taste

Rating: 4.64 stars

25 Ratings
21 Reviews
6 Photos

A north German specialty, Gruenkohl (kale) and sausage was something with which my mother-in-law warmed our hearts and tummies in the winter. The north Germans serve this with boiled potatoes.

By LynJudd

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Recipe Summary

prep:

20 mins

cook:

1 hr 25 mins

total:

1 hr 45 mins

Servings:

Yield:

4 servings

Nutrition Info

Directions

Step 1

Bring a pot of water to a boil, and stir in the kale; boil for 1 minute, and remove from the water with a slotted spoon. Set the blanched kale aside.

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Step 2

Place bacon into a large skillet over medium heat, and cook until browned, stirring frequently, about 8 minutes. Stir in the onion, and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the blanched kale, and cook until kale is bright green and starting to turn tender, about 4 minutes. Pour in enough water to cover, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, and stir in the beef bouillon granules and nutmeg. Simmer the kale until tender, about 30 minutes.
Step 3

Stir the mustard into the kale, and lay the ham slices and sausage links on top. Simmer the kale, ham, and sausages until the sausages are cooked through, about 35 more minutes. Season to taste with salt and black pepper before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

828 calories; protein 38.7g 77% DV; carbohydrates 17.8g 6% DV; fat 66.1g 102% DV; cholesterol 160.8mg 54% DV; sodium 2599.1mg 104% DV. Full Nutrition

Reviews (21)

Most helpful positive review

HoneyTiger3m

12/19/2011

Absolut lecker!!Yum yum in German. A variation on traditional German Winter "greens" (in Hessen we make ours much the same but with smoked hocks and no bacon). I made this with the bacon and we LOVED it so it's going in my pot of this warming filling Winter dish from now on. Oh use thick sliced bacon. Read More

Helpful

(37)

Most helpful critical review

realdad

08/20/2013

Logically I made a few changes which make this basic recipe simplier. After boiling the kale and adding it to the bacon and onion mixture and seasoning it it was ready to eat. Adding any wurst or sausage would have taken any "body" away from the kale. The grated nutmeg added the perfect finish to a great dish. I may serve it over or mix with boiled potatoes to create a great Dutch dish Boerekohl! Read More

25 Ratings

5 star values: 17
4 star values: 7
3 star values: 1
2 star values: 0
1 star values: 0

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

HoneyTiger3m

12/19/2011

Helpful

(37)

Anonymous

02/18/2012

Absolutely delicious! My German husband and his German mother Loved this! It has become a family favorite! I use a whole onion and add 2 cloves of garlic. Comes out perfect! I also serve with a warm loaf of french bread or sourdough. Read More

Helpful

(18)

03/09/2012

This recipe far exceeded my expectations! I thought it sounded good and seemed like a good way to use up some ingredients I happened to have. The end result was much better than I expected. I made a few minor changes. I added two cloves minced garlic with the onion and I used a whole onion. as several other reviewers suggested. I also added a few fennel seeds. Read More

Helpful

(13)

MRSPARKERII

02/22/2012

We enjoyed this. My husband isn't a huge fan of kielbasa but had seconds of this and said he would eat it again. I served it over boiled red potatoes. Also did add ham because I didn't have any but I can see how it would be tasty. Read More

Helpful

(8)

reiner13

04/26/2013

Hi I am soooo happy to find this recipe but I am born in the Ammerland in germany which is ground zero for gruehnkohl.The basic recipe is ok. But first at all use smoked pork belly instead of cooked ham and please please NO kielbasa.Instead check if you can find a german butcher who can provide you with PINKEL WURST.Thats the stuff that has to go in there.Next you can use Nutmeg but allspice is better and more onion ( 3 - 4 )and you have to cook it for hours.The longer the better.( 2 - 3 hours)Last but not least you can use kale out of the can or glass as long as it is unseasoned.Thats it.Enjoy your Gruehnkohl Read More

Helpful

(7)

Monty's Momma

01/03/2012

Ser gut! This was exactly what the doctor ordered on our first frigid night of the winter season. Filling hearty and flavorful. Read More

Helpful

(6)

Oma

12/25/2011

Just like my mother used to make it and she is from Wennebostel/Wedemark. Thanks for the this recipe Read More

Helpful

(5)

Chelsea Anna B.

03/03/2012

So delicious! I made a few tweaks though. I added fresh chopped garlic cloves(3). Cut up the bacon with an added 4th strip. Used spicy mustard. Skipped the ham because we didn't have any unfortunately. Instead of kielbasa I cut 4 Italian w/ mozzarella cheese sausages into it. My family loved it! Thank you. Read More

Helpful

(5)

S.E.

05/12/2014

I didn't have any onions or beef bouillon and didn't want to run to the store so sub'd some beef onion soup mix. It turned out great. I also only used kielbasa but other than that followed the recipe. Read More

Helpful

(4)

realdad

08/20/2013

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Nutritional Information

North German Gruenkohl (Kale) and Sausage

Servings Per Recipe: 4
Calories: 827.7

% Daily Value *

protein: 77 %

carbohydrates: 6 %

exchange other carbs:

dietary fiber: 12 %

sugars:

fat: 102 %

saturated fat: 146 %

cholesterol: 54 %

vitamin a iu: 349 %

niacin equivalents: 59 %

vitamin b6: 38 %

vitamin c: 264 %

folate: 10 %

calcium: 17 %

iron: 14 %

magnesium: 20 %

potassium: 22 %

sodium: 104 %

thiamin: 55 %

calories from fat:

percent of calories from carbs:

percent of calories from fat:

percent of calories from protein:

percent of calories from sat fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.