Comforting Cabbage, Sausage & Potato Soup Recipe for Cold Days

When winter’s chill settles in, there’s nothing more comforting than a steaming bowl of hearty cabbage, sausage, and potato soup that warms you from the inside out.

This rustic recipe combines robust flavors and simple ingredients into a soul-satisfying meal.

Tender chunks of potato mingle with savory sausage and crisp cabbage, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.

The broth, rich and aromatic, carries the essence of home-cooked goodness in every spoonful.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building depth and complexity to this classic soup.

Simmered slowly, the soup develops an incredible richness that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to experience a bowl of pure culinary comfort that transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary dining experience.

Serving Cabbage, Sausage, and Potato Soup Comfort-Style

• Hearty Dinner Hero: Pair this soul-warming soup with thick slices of crusty sourdough bread to soak up the rich, flavorful broth and make the meal extra satisfying.
• Comfort Food Companion: Serve alongside a simple green salad with tangy vinaigrette to balance the soup's richness and add a fresh, crisp element to the meal.
• Protein Power-Up: Top each bowl with a sprinkle of shredded parmesan cheese or crispy bacon bits for an extra layer of savory flavor and added protein boost.
• Weekend Feast Finale: Enjoy this soup as part of a cozy family dinner, followed by a light dessert like apple crisp or warm pear crumble to complete the comforting meal experience.

Keeping Cabbage, Sausage, and Potato Soup for Later

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store soup in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Smart Freezing Technique: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen soup maintains excellent quality for up to 3 months.
• Reheating Magic: Thaw refrigerated or frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of chicken broth if the soup seems too thick.
• Batch Preparation Wisdom: Double the recipe and portion soup into individual servings for convenient grab-and-go meals. Label containers with date and contents to track freshness and optimize meal planning.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients Inside Cabbage, Sausage, and Potato Soup

• Sausage: Adds hearty, smoky flavor and protein punch; choose spicy or mild varieties based on preference; pre-sliced saves chopping time.

• Onion, Garlic: Creates flavor foundation with deep, savory undertones; select firm, fresh bulbs for maximum taste; yellow onions work best.

• Cabbage, Potatoes: Provide substantial texture and nutrients; pick firm, crisp cabbage and waxy potatoes that hold shape during cooking; scrub potatoes thoroughly.

• Chicken Broth: Builds rich, comforting soup base; low-sodium options allow better seasoning control; homemade broth enhances overall taste.

• Diced Tomatoes: Introduces bright, tangy notes; canned works perfectly; optional but recommended for depth.

• Smoked Paprika, Thyme, Bay Leaf, Salt, Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: Layer complex flavor profiles; use fresh thyme when possible; adjust spice levels to personal preference.

• Olive Oil, Fresh Parsley: Provides cooking fat and final fresh garnish; extra virgin olive oil recommended; chop parsley right before serving.

Tools You’ll Need for Cabbage, Sausage, and Potato Soup

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for cooking the entire soup, providing ample space for all ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Needed for slicing sausage, chopping onions, garlic, and cabbage.
• Sharp Knife: Perfect for precise vegetable and sausage cutting.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for adding accurate amounts of spices and seasonings.
• Ladle: Useful for serving the hot soup.
• Optional Garnish Chopper: Good for finely chopping fresh parsley.

Cooking Cabbage, Sausage, and Potato Soup Easily

• Sizzle the Sausage

Brown sliced sausage in a hot pot with olive oil until golden and crispy. Set aside the meat, keeping those delicious drippings in the pot.

• Awaken the Aromatics

Toss chopped onions into the pot, letting them dance and soften. Splash in minced garlic and let the kitchen fill with an irresistible fragrance.

• Build the Flavor Foundation

Tumble in cabbage, potatoes, and a sprinkle of smoked paprika, thyme, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. This is where magic happens.

• Liquid Love

Pour chicken broth over the veggie mixture, bringing everything to a rolling boil. Then dial down the heat, cover the pot, and let everything mingle and soften for 20-25 minutes.

• Reunite and Finish

Return the sausage to the pot, letting it warm through for a final 5 minutes. Pluck out the bay leaf and give a quick taste test.

• Serve with Flair

Shower with fresh parsley and serve alongside crusty bread. Enjoy the hearty warmth in every spoonful.

Tips for a Heartier Cabbage, Sausage, and Potato Soup

• Soup-Saving Secrets: Quick Tips to Elevate Your Dish
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this soup a day in advance to let flavors meld and intensify, storing in an airtight container for even richer taste.
• Texture Trick: Mash some potatoes directly in the pot for a thicker, creamier soup consistency without adding extra cream or flour.
• Veggie Swap Strategy: Replace sausage with plant-based alternatives like smoked tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version that doesn't compromise on flavor.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust red pepper flakes to match your heat preference – start with a pinch and gradually increase for personalized warmth.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Ensure chicken broth is certified gluten-free and serve with gluten-free bread to make this recipe completely celiac-safe.

Hearty Cabbage, Sausage, And Potato Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty Polish bigos soup blends savory cabbage, robust sausage, and comforting potatoes in a classic one-pot meal. Simmering ingredients create a rich, warming dish that connects you to traditional Eastern European comfort cooking.

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Ingredients

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• 12 oz (340 g) smoked sausage (kielbasa or andouille), sliced
• 6 cups chicken broth (or beef broth for a richer flavor)
• 4 cups cabbage, chopped
• 3 medium potatoes, diced (Yukon gold or red potatoes)
• 1 (14.5 oz/411 g) can diced tomatoes
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh thyme)
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

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Instructions

1. Sauté Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, brown sausage slices until golden, then remove and set aside.
2. Build Flavor Base: In the same pot, sauté onions until translucent, add garlic and briefly toast to release aromatic oils.
3. Combine Ingredients: Layer chopped cabbage, cubed potatoes, diced tomatoes, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and bay leaf into the pot.
4. Create Liquid Foundation: Pour chicken broth over vegetables, bringing the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
5. Marry Flavors: Cover and cook until potatoes become fork-tender, approximately 20-25 minutes, then return sausage to the pot and allow flavors to meld for an additional 5 minutes.
6. Finalize and Serve: Remove bay leaf, adjust seasonings to taste, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve piping hot alongside crusty bread for a hearty, soul-warming meal.

Notes

• Manage Sausage Browning: Achieve a perfect golden-brown crust by avoiding overcrowding the pan, which prevents proper caramelization and ensures maximum flavor development.
• Prevent Vegetable Mushiness: Cut cabbage and potatoes into uniform chunks to guarantee even cooking and maintain ideal texture throughout the soup.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast spices briefly before adding liquid to intensify their aromatic qualities and release more complex taste profiles in the dish.
• Adapt for Dietary Needs: Swap pork sausage with chicken or plant-based alternatives, and use gluten-free broth to accommodate different dietary restrictions while maintaining the soup’s hearty character.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg