swamp soup

Oxford, AL
Updated on Nov 3, 2025

The name of this was Turnip Green Soup. I carried this to a get-together, and some people wouldn't try it as they did not like turnip greens. I carried it to another get-together and called it Swamp Soup. All 5 quarts were eaten and raved over, and everyone wanted the recipe. My 16-year-old grandson raves over this. He can probably eat the whole pot by himself if I let him! This is probably the only soup I make in the summer, too. It is not heavy and sits well with almost everyone. Even people who don't like turnip greens. I always double this recipe!

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Swamp soup is Southern comfort food. Originating on the beachy Gulf shores in Alabama and Louisiana, it's a tasty turnip and bean soup. In this recipe, seasoned canned turnip greens and vegetable soup mix are the base, and they add tons of flavor. White beans and navy beans add a little bit of texture. We loved the heartiness of sliced kielbasa and the savory flavor it adds. A smoked sausage, like andouille, will work if you can't find kielbasa. Serve a bowl of this swamp soup with a big slice of cornbread to round out the meal. 

prep time 15 Min
cook time 20 Min
method Stove Top
yield 6 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion
  • 1 pound Polish kielbasa
  • 1 box low-sodium chicken broth (32 oz)
  • 1 can seasoned turnip greens (27 oz)
  • 1 packet Knorr vegetable soup mix (1.4 oz)
  • 1 can Great Northern beans (15.5 oz)
  • 1 can navy beans (15.5 oz)
  • 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, to taste

How To Make swamp soup

  • Step 1
    Dice and cook the onion in a non-stick 5-quart pot in olive oil until transparent and tender.
  • Step 2
    Slice the Polish kielbasa and cut into quarters. Brown/cook it in the onions, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes or so.
  • Step 3
    Add broth, undrained turnip greens, navy beans, Great Northern beans, and stir.
  • Step 4
    Add soup mix, Tabasco, and pepper.
  • Step 5
    Bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until heated through and the green peas in the dry Knorr soup mix are cooked through.
  • Step 6
    Great with cornbread. This is just as good or better the second day. I have also added pinto beans, but we like navy and Great Northern the best. I have also used fresh turnip greens, but canned is just as good. Do not add salt as the dry soup mix has enough. Substituting turkey or chicken sausage works great, too.

Nutrition Facts

(per serving*)
calories: 512kcal, carbohydrates: 46g, cholesterol: 53mg, fat: 26g, fiber: 12g, protein: 27g, saturated fat: 9g, sodium: 1111mg, sugar: 2g, unsaturated fat: 17g
*Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is estimated.

Discover More

Category: Bean Soups
Keyword: #turnip
Keyword: #soup
Collection: Soup's On!
Ingredient: Beans/Legumes
Culture: Southern
Method: Stove Top

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