Keto Crockpot Soup with Sausage and Cauliflower

This keto crockpot soup combines hearty ground sausage with fresh vegetables in a rich broth. The slow cooker handles most of the work for you. It requires a brief turn at the stove to brown the meat and soften the onions before everything simmers together.

Cauliflower replaces traditional potatoes or pasta to keep the carbohydrate count lower. The addition of heavy cream at the very end provides a smooth texture that rounds out the savory flavors of the Italian sausage and garlic.

Why will you love Keto Crockpot Soup with Sausage and Cauliflower?

Browning the sausage in a skillet first develops a deep savory flavor and renders out excess fat so the soup does not become greasy.

Sautéing the onions in the same skillet picks up the browned bits left behind by the sausage.

Adding the heavy cream at the end of the cooking time prevents the dairy from curdling in the hot slow cooker.

Keto Crockpot Soup with Sausage and Cauliflower Ingredients

• Ground Italian sausage: You can use mild, sweet, or hot varieties. If you buy links, remove the casings before browning.

• Cauliflower: A large fresh head of cauliflower works well. You can substitute frozen cauliflower florets, but they will become softer during a long cooking time.

• Kale: Remove the tough stems and chop the leaves into small pieces. Spinach is a suitable alternative if you add it during the last 10 minutes of cooking.

• Chicken broth: Choose a low-sodium broth so you can control the saltiness of the final dish. Vegetable broth or bone broth also works.

• Heavy cream: This adds richness and a creamy finish. You can use coconut cream for a dairy-free option, though it will alter the flavor slightly.

Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.

How to Make Keto Crockpot Soup with Sausage and Cauliflower

Step 1: Brown the meat

Start by cooking the ground Italian sausage in a skillet on the stove. Breaking it apart as it cooks ensures you get bite-sized pieces in the soup. Transfer the meat to the slow cooker once it reaches 160°F (71°C) and discard the grease.

Step 2: Sauté the aromatics

Use the same skillet to cook the diced onions and minced garlic with a little olive oil. This softens the vegetables and pulls up the residual flavors from the sausage. Move the onion mixture to the slow cooker.

Step 3: Slow cook the soup

Pour the chicken broth into the slow cooker along with the cauliflower, kale, and seasonings. Set the machine to high or low and let it simmer until the vegetables are tender.

Step 4: Finish with cream

Pour the heavy cream into the slow cooker right before serving. Stir the soup gently to incorporate the cream and let it heat through for a few minutes.

What to Serve with Keto Crockpot Soup with Sausage and Cauliflower

Serve this soup in warm bowls with a side of low-carb almond flour biscuits or a basic green salad dressed with olive oil and vinegar.

Helpful Tricks for Keto Crockpot Soup with Sausage and Cauliflower

Food safety: Always cook ground pork sausage to a minimum internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

You can use either mild or hot Italian sausage depending on your spice preference.

Chop the cauliflower into bite-sized florets so they cook evenly and fit easily on a spoon.

How to Store and Freeze Keto Crockpot Soup with Sausage and Cauliflower

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze without the heavy cream for up to 3 months, then add fresh cream when reheating. Reheat on the stove over medium-low heat until it reaches a gentle simmer.

Keto Crockpot Soup with Sausage and Cauliflower Recipe FAQs

Can I put raw sausage directly into the slow cooker?

It is much better to brown the sausage in a skillet first. This renders out the fat, prevents a greasy broth, and ensures the meat reaches a safe 160°F (71°C).

Will the kale turn mushy in the slow cooker?

Kale is a sturdy leafy green that holds up well to slow cooking. It becomes tender but retains some texture, unlike spinach which would dissolve.

Can I make this soup on the stovetop instead?

Yes. Brown the sausage and onions in a large Dutch oven. Add the remaining ingredients except the cream and simmer covered for 20 to 25 minutes until the cauliflower is tender, then stir in the cream.

Keto Crockpot Soup with Sausage and Cauliflower

Ground Italian sausage, kale, and cauliflower simmer in a slow cooker with chicken broth before finishing with a splash of heavy cream.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb ground Italian sausage 450 g
• 1 tbsp olive oil 15 ml
• 1 medium yellow onion diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 4 cups chicken broth 945 ml
• 1 large head cauliflower cut into small florets
• 3 cups chopped fresh kale 60 g
• 1 tsp kosher salt 5 g
• 1/2 tsp black pepper 1 g
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes 0.5 g
• 1/2 cup heavy cream 120 ml

Instructions

 

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the ground Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and no pink remains. Ensure the pork reaches a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) on an instant-read thermometer.
• Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked sausage to a 6-quart slow cooker. Drain and discard any excess grease from the skillet.
• Add the olive oil to the same skillet over medium heat. Stir in the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent.
• Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
• Transfer the cooked onions and garlic to the slow cooker with the sausage.
• Add the chicken broth, cauliflower florets, chopped kale, kosher salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
• Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours. The cauliflower should be very tender.
• Stir in the heavy cream and let the soup warm through for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Food safety: Always cook ground pork sausage to a minimum internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

You can use either mild or hot Italian sausage depending on your spice preference.

Chop the cauliflower into bite-sized florets so they cook evenly and fit easily on a spoon.

Keyword keto crockpot soup, low carb, sausage, slow cooker, soup