Whole30 Zuppa Toscana - Dairy-Free Potato Soup Recipe (2024)

30 Sep Whole30 Zuppa Toscana – Dairy-Free Potato Soup Recipe

Posted at 19:48hin Appetizers, Comfort Foods, Dairy Free, Dinners, Entrees, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Italian, Most Popular Recipes, Nut Free, One Dish, One Pot, Pork, Recipes, Recipes with Videos, Soups, Stews and Chilis, Whole30byKristi Barnes163 Comments

Cozy up to this Whole30 Zuppa Toscana (Dairy-Free Potato Soup Recipe)tonight! Packed with potatoes, sausage and fresh crunchy kale swimming in a lightly spiced broth, you’ll think you’re at Olive Garden (minus the guilt)! You’ll fall in love with this healthy, dairy-free, gluten-free Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana copycat recipe once you give it a try.

Post edited 1/26/20. Please see the notes in the recipe card for details.

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Whole30 Zuppa Toscana - Dairy-Free Potato Soup Recipe (1)

As this Whole30 Zuppa Toscana recipe is (and always has been) the most popular recipe on my blog, I felt the photos and the post, in general, needed a facelift. A lot has changed in four years. Plus, others have stolen my picsand my exact blog post wording, dang!I make this soup on the regular, and my food photography skills have improved tremendously since 2016, so why not add some new content and drool-worthy pictures? (You can keep my 2016 amateur soup photos, ya filthy thieving animals. But since imitation is the finest form of flattery, consider me extremely flattered).

For you diehard Farmstead Chic Zuppa Toscana Fans, I did make a few other minimal changes to the recipe card, and you can see those in the Notes section. You are my faves, BTW.

Whole30 Zuppa Toscana - Dairy-Free Potato Soup Recipe (2)

Oh yeah! I also began videoing my recipes and let me tell you, it’s a ton of work! I have a newfound respect for professional videographers (which I am not, as you will certainly be able to tell). But please, check out my YouTube video of this Whole30 Zuppa Toscana recipe and lemme know all your thoughts! Is it too long? Too short? What do YOU want to see in these videos? Because it’s really all for you, dear loyal blog reader. I heart you so much. Feel free to drop a comment or send me an email, Facebook message, etc with your thoughts on the video, the recipe or just life in general.

Going forward, I’m also going to be adding a “commonly asked questions” section for each recipe below the recipe card and will update these sporadically as new ones arise. Ask away!

Whole30 Zuppa Toscana - Dairy-Free Potato Soup Recipe (3)

I’ll skip over all the mushy-gushy personal stuff I’d normally write about like how my 4yo son and I made his first YouTube video today about planting cilantro with this Bruder backhoe and John Deere tractor and how I’m so silly-proud that he has an interest in farming. See what I did there, tho? 🙂

BTW, if you’re a soup lover like me, check out these beauties:

Soups

  • Paleo and Whole30 Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • Paleo and Whole30 Chicken Noodle Soup
  • Keto Coconut Curry Chicken Soup, Paleo and Whole30
  • Low Carb, Keto Pizza Soup – Whole30, Paleo Soup

Chilis

  • Paleo and Whole30 Beefy Bacon Chili
  • Paleo and Whole30 Apple Cider Chili
  • Paleo and Whole30 White Chicken Chili
  • Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili, Paleo + Whole30
  • Instant Pot Chili – Paleo and Whole30 Chili

Whole30 Zuppa Toscana - Dairy-Free Potato Soup Recipe (4)

Whole30 Zuppa Toscana - Dairy-Free Potato Soup Recipe

Kristi Barnes

Cozy up to this Whole30 Zuppa Toscana tonight! Packed with potatoes, sausage and fresh crunchy kale swimming in a lightly spiced broth, you'll think you're at Olive Garden (minus the guilt)! You'll fall in love with this healthy, dairy-free, gluten-free Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana copycat recipe once you give it a try.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Course Soup

Cuisine Italian

Servings 8 servings (about 14 cups)

Calories 325 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp. beef tallow or cooking fat of your choice
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 1 lb. ground Italian sausage see below for info on Whole30-compliant Italian sausage
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp. crushed red pepper or more to taste
  • 8 c. chicken broth
  • 7 medium red potatoes about 2.5-3 lbs., coarsely chopped (peeled or not)
  • 5 oz. fresh kale chopped (about 6-8 cups depending on how firmly packed)
  • 13.5 oz. can coconut milk
  • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a large stock pot or Dutch Oven, melt the beef tallow or cooking fat of your choice over medium-high heat.

  • Add onion and sauté 3 minutes.

  • Add the Italian sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned.

  • Saute 3 minutes.

  • Add the garlic.

  • Stir for 1 minute until fragrant.

  • Add the chicken broth and potatoes.

  • Bring your soup to a boil.

  • Reduce heat, cover and simmer 10 minutes.

  • Add the kale and coconut milk and simmer an additional 5 minutes until potatoes can be easily pierced with a fork and kale is just barely tender.

  • Add salt and pepper to taste.

Video

Notes

1/26/20 edits: Replaced photos. Added a video. (Subscribe to my YouTube channel!) Updated cook time from 30m to 40m. (After cooking this on an electric cooktop, I believe 40m is more accurate. My gas stovetop tends to come to a boil much quicker.) Switched the order of sautéing the onions and browning the sausage. (Cooking the onions first saves time as they can continue to soften while the meat browns. Also, we don't overcook the meat, and all those delicious flavors have more time to merge.) Changed the chicken broth from 6c. to 8c. for a "soupier" soup. Adjusted the serving size accordingly. (Number of servings remain the same). 2017 edit: My recipe originally called for only 8 oz. of coconut milk. I changed it to the full 13.5 oz. can because it is creamier this way! It does give it the very slightest hint of coconut. If you want to avoid the hint of coconut, reducee it to 8 oz.

Nutrition

Serving: 13/4 cupsCalories: 325kcalCarbohydrates: 38.9gProtein: 9.7gFat: 16.2gSaturated Fat: 10.8gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 14.4mgSodium: 1076.1mgFiber: 4.4gSugar: 4.5g

Keyword clean eating, coconut milk, copycat recipe, dairy free, kale, olive garden, paleo, whole30, zuppa toscana

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Don’t forget to Pin this Dairy-Free and Whole30 Zuppa Toscana recipe for later!

Whole30 Zuppa Toscana - Dairy-Free Potato Soup Recipe (5)

Commonly asked questions for this Whole30 Zuppa Toscana

Is Italian sausage Whole30-compliant?

It can be. Most of the Italian sausage you find at the big grocery chains are not Whole30-compliant. This goes for many spice blends, most chicken broth, and almost all other processed meats as well. There are some brands out there that are, but you have to check the ingredients list. At the time of this posting, Whole Foods 365 Pork Mild Italian Sausage lists their ingredients as Pork, Water, Sea Salt, Vinegar, Spices (Fennel, Black Pepper), Dehydrated Garlic, Rosemary Extract and Lemon Juice Concentrate.

How long is Zuppa Toscana good for?

You can store this Whole30 Zuppa Toscana soup in the fridge for 3-4 days. Make a big batch so you can freeze leftovers!

Can you freeze Zuppa Toscana soup?

Yes. Store this Whole30 Zuppa Toscana for up to ninety days in the freezer for the best flavor. Label the soup with the date you freeze it so you’ll know when it’s expiration is near. Freezer burn is the worst.

Is Zuppa Toscana gluten-free?

This Whole30 Zuppa Toscana is Whole30-compliant, dairy-free, grain-free and gluten-free.

What does the word Zuppa mean?

Zuppa Toscana literally means “Tuscan Soup.” For the purpose of this article, we’re talking about Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana made predominantly with sausage, potatoes and kale.

Does kale freeze well in soup?

If you make this Whole30 Zuppa Toscana with the sole intention of meal prepping and freezing, I would recommend not adding the kale until you are ready to eat it if that’s feasible. The kale is a nice, fresh and crunchy contrast to the soft potatoes and crumbled sausage, and I like to leave it barely wilted. However, if you are going for no-fuss meal prep, freezing the kale will still give you the flavor, many of the nutrients and some nice texture.

Do potatoes have gluten?

Real, whole, fresh potatoes do not contain gluten; however, beware of “potatoes” in any other form you order at a restaurant because you never know what may be added to them.

Can you freeze soup in Ziploc bags?

Yes. Allow the soup to cool and ladle evenly into Ziploc freezer bags labeling the bag with the date frozen and squeezing out the excess air. Store flat in the freezer to save space. Be sure to use bags meant for freezer storage.

Can I freeze soup in Mason jars?

Yes, you can store this Zuppa Toscana in Mason jars. Be sure the soup is cooled before adding it to the jars and make sure to leave extra space it the jars. Liquids expand when they freeze. If there isn’t enough room or if the liquid is too hot, the jars will shatter.

What foods are Whole30-compliant?

Update 8/12/17:

I’ve gotten a lot of questions about what foods are Whole30-compliant and why some aren’t. I’m so happy to help, but I would definitely recommend reading the Whole30 books if you haven’t already. Knowledge really is power, especially when you’re just trying to make it through the workday and that 3 pm chocolate bar craving hits. You’ll know why you’re feeling the way you are and what you can do to squash it.

If you’re like me, a busy working mom with too much to do to sit down and stop everything to read a book, you should definitely check out Amazon’s Audible program. That’s how I found time to read It Starts With Food, by having it read to me. I love, love Audible. I just recently purchasedFood Freedom Foreverwith one of my monthly credits, and it’s another winner so far. I listen to it in the car to and from work and also while I’m cooking and doing chores.

A Note on Nutrition Facts

I am not a nutritional expert or medical professional. Nutritional information for my recipes are provided as a courtesy and are only an approximation. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of any nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site. Erythritol and monk fruit carbs are not included in the nutritional information as they have been shown to have a low impact on blood sugar. Those with Diabetes or other health-related issues may need to calculate net carbs differently. If you need help managing or calculating carbs, ask your doctor or dietician for guidance. Net carbs provided are the total carbs less fiber and sugar alcohols. For the most accurate nutritional information, please calculate with your own specific ingredients using a program like Carb Manager or My Fitness Pal.

Copyright Notice

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express permission from this site’s owner, Kristi Barnes, is strictly prohibited.

Excerpts and single photos may be used provided full credit is given towww.farmsteadchic.com with a link back to the original content.

Whole30 Zuppa Toscana - Dairy-Free Potato Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is there dairy in zuppa Toscana Olive Garden? ›

Spicy sausage, potatoes, greens and bacon in flavor-packed broth. This savory and satisfying soup is a fabulous way to sneak a little kale into your little one's belly.

What is the best thickener for potato soup? ›

Combine cornstarch and a little bit of water—or the chicken stock from the soup—in a small bowl. With the soup simmering over medium-low heat, whisk in the slurry. The soup should start to thicken almost immediately.

Why isn't my potato soup creamy? ›

Why isn't my potato soup creamy? Most creamy soups require you to add dairy of some sort into it. If you're finding your soup is too thin adding milk, add in cream instead, or whole milk.

What is Zuppa Toscana soup made of? ›

Traditionally, this soup is made with lots of veggies, beans, potatoes, olive oil, spices, Italian bacon, and Tuscan bread (it kind of reminds me of a minestrone). What is this? The American version though adds Italian sausage and bacon, garlic, and heavy cream in addition to the potatoes and kale.

Does Olive Garden minestrone soup have dairy? ›

Olive Garden doesn't have an extensive menu of vegan options. However, some of their most beloved items are vegan, including the minestrone soup and the unlimited salad and breadsticks (with a few modifiers).

Are Olive Garden breadsticks dairy free? ›

Do your breadsticks contain dairy? There is no dairy in our breadsticks or in the breadstick topping. The garlic topping is made from margarine.

Does cream cheese thicken potato soup? ›

Cream cheese can be a delicious and tangy thickener for mashed potatoes so it stands to reason that it can also be used to add body to your favorite silky potato soup recipes — right? The answer is yes. It only works well if you do it carefully, though.

How do you thicken potato soup without heavy cream? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute.

Can you use almond flour to thicken potato soup? ›

Nuts or nut-based flour

A quick and easy paleo-friendly way to add more thickness to your soups is to grind down 1-2 cups of nuts. Use cashews, peanuts, almonds, or any other nuts that you have at home. Almond flour is also a commonly available substitute that you can find in almost any grocery store today.

Can you use instant mashed potatoes to thicken potato soup? ›

Yes. Incredibly effective? You bet. This trick works because the instant mashed potatoes are naturally starchy and therefore are similar in form to other commonly used thickeners, such as cornstarch, only without the clumps.

What does cornstarch do to soup? ›

Cornstarch, or corn flour, can be used to thicken soup through its high starch content. Cornstarch is a great thickener for soup because only a little bit is needed to significantly thicken a soup, and it will not affect the flavor profile of the soup.

How can I make my soup more creamy? ›

Add Flour, Cornstarch, or Other Thickener: Starches thicken soup and give it body. Whisk a few tablespoons of starch into a little of the broth in a separate bowl before whisking it into the main pot. This prevents the starch from clumping and helps it dissolve into the soup evenly.

What does Zuppa Toscana mean in English? ›

Zuppa toscana is a broad term, literally meaning 'Tuscan soup', though in Italy it is called "minestra di pane", meaning 'bread soup'.

What does zuppa mean? ›

zuppa in American English

(ˈzuːpə, Italian ˈtsuːppɑː) noun. Italian Cookery. a soup or chowder. [1960–65; ‹ It: soup]

What does the word zuppa mean in Italian? ›

noun. soup [noun] a liquid food made from meat, vegetables etc.

Is Olive Garden vegetable soup vegan? ›

And since there are no animal-derived ingredients included in the recipe, this soup is perfect for vegan diners seeking a hearty dish. Because there may be some confusion as to what constitutes vegan and vegetarian preparations, Olive Garden offers clarification via its website.

Is there milk in Olive Garden breadsticks? ›

Soup, Salad & Breadsticks

The Signature Italian Dressing at Olive Garden does contain milk. But they do offer olive oil and vinegar for dressing your salad. And yes, those Olive Garden breadsticks are dairy free! They use a vegan margarine for the coating, not butter!

Is Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana soup gluten-free? ›

Of course, Zuppa Toscana is naturally gluten-free, but I can't risk enjoying a bowl of my favorite potato sausage kale soup from the Olive Garden because of cross-contamination. So, today, I'm sharing my gluten-free version of Zuppa Toscana. Jump to: Reasons you'll love this recipe.

Do Olive Garden croutons have dairy? ›

However, Olive Garden's house dressing contains dairy: namely, Romano cheese. The cheese is whisked directly into the dressing, discounting it from the vegan menu. The croutons are also seasoned with Romano cheese, so the vegan version of the Olive Garden salad must forego the crunch as well.

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