Sausage Potato Cabbage Soup (Printable)

Comforting blend of savory sausage, creamy potatoes, and tender cabbage in a rich broth, ideal for cool weather.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 14 oz smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced into rounds

→ Vegetables

02 - 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (about 1 lb)
03 - 1 small head green cabbage, cored and chopped (about 1.3 lb)
04 - 1 large onion, chopped
05 - 2 carrots, sliced
06 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
07 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Liquids & Broth

08 - 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1 bay leaf

→ Optional Garnish

15 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
16 - Sour cream or crusty bread, for serving

# How To Make:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add sausage slices and cook until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
02 - In the same pot, add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in garlic, smoked paprika, and thyme. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add potatoes, cabbage, and browned sausage back to the pot. Pour in broth and add bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until potatoes and cabbage are tender.
06 - Remove bay leaf. Adjust seasoning to taste.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve hot with sour cream or crusty bread, if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot, so less cleanup and more time curled up under blankets
  • The smoked paprika creates this incredible depth that makes people think you simmered it all day
02 -
  • The soup actually improves overnight, so making it a day ahead gives you even better flavor
  • If the soup seems too thick, just add a splash more broth or even water—it won't dilute the flavor much
03 -
  • If you're sensitive to heat, remove the sausage casing before slicing—the spice level drops significantly
  • Adding a splash of vinegar right at the end brightens all the flavors and makes the soup taste more complex
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