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This Cabbage, Sausage and Potato Soup recipe is totally hearty and comforting, full of the best savory flavors, easy to make, and it’s guaranteed to warm you right up!
Guys, this soup.
It’s only the middle of September, and I have already made it threetimes this past month. And when I say three times, keep in mind that I’m now married to a handsome vegetarian who won’t come anywhere near this one. Which means this huge, simmering, delicious pot of soup (plus leftovers) are exclusively for Yours Truly.
And I still can’t get enough of it!
This is probably due in part to the fact that I’m about 30 years late to the party that is cabbage soup. I’m not sure why, but our family never grew up eating it, and for years I used to only think of it only in terms of those crazy fad diets, and never really tried a good bowl until a few years ago. But the second I did — oh man, guys — it was cabbage soup love at first bite. Especially when you add some smoked kielbasa sausage to the picture, and some hearty potatoes, and lots of savory and garlicky seasonings — this feel-good, hearty, savory, delicious soup is comfort food to the max.
I wish I squeeze you all around my table and ladle you up a steaming bowl for yourself right now. But instead, I’m just going to beg you to stir up a pot for yourself. Because this soup = magic. ?
Cabbage Soup Recipe | 1-Minute Video
And the good news? It’s also incredibly easy to make!
Begin with your starring ingredient — a small head of green cabbage. We’re going to use it all in this pot of soup. And even though it’s going to turn into a small mountain of greens once it has been chopped, don’t worry, because it’ll all wilt down once we add it to the soup.
The second most important ingredient here is a good package of kielbasa sausage. Really, you can use just about any kind of smoked sausage here (or even bratwurst). But I’m partial to kielbasa here with its smoky, garlicky flavors (that usually include caraway, too). You’re welcome to use traditional pork sausage here, or chicken or turkey or vegan sausage. You pick.
Begin by sautéing the sausage for a few minutes in a large stockpot(affiliate link) until it is lightly browned. Then transfer it to a separate plate to save for later.
Sauté the rest of your veggies and all of that cabbage, then add the remaining ingredients and let the soup simmer until those potatoes are nice and tender. Season with salt and pepper (I recommend extra black pepper with this one), and soon enough…
…these delicious bowls of cabbage soup will be yours to serve and enjoy.
This Cabbage, Sausage and Potato Soup recipe is nice and hearty and comforting, it’s full of the best savory flavors, and it’s guaranteed to warm you right up!
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound kielbasa sausage*, sliced into bite-sized pieces
1 small green cabbage, chopped into bite-sized pieces
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 pound red potatoes, diced
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, homemade or store-bought
1 bay leaf
Kosher salt and freshly-cracked black pepper
Instructions
Add sausage to a large stockpot and cook over medium-heat for 5-6 minutes, stirring and flipping occasionally, until the sausage is lightly browned. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sausage to a separate plate, and set aside.
Add the olive oil, leeks, carrots and celery to the pan, and stir to combine. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then add the cabbage and garlic, and sauté for 4 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the stock, potatoes, Italian seasoning, bay leaf, cooked sausage, and stir to combine. Continue cooking until the soup reaches a simmer. Then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked and tender.
Remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste and season with a few generous pinches of salt and black pepper as needed. (Also, depending on how seasoned your sausage is, feel free to stir in a extra few teaspoons of Italian seasoning if you think it needs some extra flavor. A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes will also help bring out the flavors.)
Serve warm. Or refrigerate in sealed containers for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
*Feel free to use traditional kielbasa sausage, or any kind of smoked pork, chicken, turkey, or vegan sausage that you’d like. (Bratwurst also works!)
**If making this recipe gluten-free, be sure to double-check that your sausage is certified GF.
I have made this twice since I found your recipe! I never remember to buy leeks but onions work well. Next batch I will make sure I buy leeks. It is amazing soup!
Modified it (the cooking instructions) to cook in the pressure cooker and it tuned out fantastic! Had to use up some Italian sausage. Think it will be even better with smoked sausage, or kielbasa. Very hardy, will be enjoying it often this winter.
The Smoked Sausage, Potatoes, and Cabbage Soup was delicious! This recipe has landed among my collections of “the best recipes.”
Thank you for sharing!
Made this recipe a few months ago and LOVED it. Brought some to work and all my coworkers complained that my food smelled too good, so I shared the recipe. Will be making again this week. Thank you!
I made this and really liked it. I have a question about freezing it. I’ve frozen things with potatoes before
and they come out mushy after thawing-is there a method to use so that won’t happen? Thanks
cm7434 —
I freeze stews with potatoes often, and find that the potatoes do break down when re-heating if I stir the pot a lot. I think they are less mushy if you let it totally defrost, and then reheat in the microwave without stirring things around too much. Or you could omit the potatoes and use beans (like great northern beans) for a more freezer friendly option instead.
Hi Ali. I was wondering how you came up with a 10min. prep time. My wife and I love the soup,but my prep time always passes the 10min mark.It takes me about a half hour both time I have made the soup. I was wondering how you did the prep time to where you have it down to 10min.We have been putting a lot more effort into healthy eating and less time in the kitchen lol!! Let me know what you think,Thanks
Made this yesterday to have for dinner today. I used both sweet potatoes and white potatoes. It was tasty yesterday but today my husband declared it outstanding. Looking forward to my lunches this cold first week of January. Thank you!
I made this soup but I replaced a things. I used butternut squash instead of potatoes and I used onions instead of leek. THE BOMB!! Thanks for posting.
I made this soup this past weekend, but substituted Italian sausage that I had on hand. It was DELICIOUS! I served it with some grated Romano cheese on top and it was excellent. This recipe is definitely a keeper. It freezes perfectly too, in case anyone was wondering.
Just made this yesterday and shared with a neighbor. We both give it high marks for great flavor. Easy ingredients and easy prep. Smells wonderful when cooking. Did not make any substitutes. Seriously good and will make again for sure. Thanks!!
I’m trying this for the first time tonight, I used Kielbasa cooked in apple juice, leeks and onion (I didn’t have enough leeks lol) are leeks nicer to use than sweet onion? Carrots, celery, garlic, 3 potatoes, spinach and cabbage. I’ve gone gluten free so this is an awesome addition to my new meal plans.
With a high of 9° F here today, soup was definitely on the menu. I made it with spinach feta chicken sausage and yellow onion (I couldn’t find leeks). This is sooo good! And so easy. Lucky for me my husband isn’t much of a soup eater. More for me. :) Thanks for sharing!
The wife pinned this and we had two pounds of sausage already so I made this last night not really knowing what to expect. I kept my expectations low consdering I didnt feel like there would be much flavor. This soup is excellent. It ranks right up there with my homemade veg beef stew – which requires a ton more prep and costs a lot more to make. I highly highly recommend you try this recipe, or at least stop by for a bowl ?
Made this for dinner tonight; It was excellent. I used “Lite” Kielbasa and some ham I had left over, as well as onions instead of leeks. It’s been cold out here in NH for the last couple weeks and it “hit the spot” and was a healthy dinner. Will sure make again!
I made this last night and it was delicious! Leftovers tonight are even better. I made no changes. Yummy! Thank you!
Awesome!!! So glad to hear it. :)
Since you are now ensconced in Barcelona, may I suggest Andouille sausage?
Love Andouille! :)
This recipe is so delicious that my family requests it every week.
So simple to make!
It’s Awesome.
OH MY I CANT GET ENOUGH OF THIS YUM YUM YUMMY! TYTY
Amazing! Used turkey kielbasa and added a few green beans !
I have made this twice since I found your recipe! I never remember to buy leeks but onions work well. Next batch I will make sure I buy leeks. It is amazing soup!
Fabulous soup! My husband begs for it once a week!!
Made this for the first time and it’s absolutely fabulous! I used onion instead of leeks. Only change I made…….
Made cabbage soup twice in one week. Had Pastor and wife over and they begged for the recipe?
MAde this last night and everyone loved it, especially me!!!!
I’ve been making this for years. I use Hamburger and Beef Broth..
Just made this before going to work, my boyfriend loves it! It was something different I never cooked before, great idea!!
Modified it (the cooking instructions) to cook in the pressure cooker and it tuned out fantastic! Had to use up some Italian sausage. Think it will be even better with smoked sausage, or kielbasa. Very hardy, will be enjoying it often this winter.
Thanks, good job!
Tom
The Cabbage, Potatoes, and smoked sausage soup was absolutely delicious! This recipe has landed among my best dishes. Thank you for sharing!
The Smoked Sausage, Potatoes, and Cabbage Soup was delicious! This recipe has landed among my collections of “the best recipes.”
Thank you for sharing!
Made it tonight and it was a big hit. Substituted onions for leeks and used Andouille sausage.
Hi..Is it possible to make this recipe on my Instant Pot? If so how would I make it? Temperature Time ..Steps..Etc. Thanks.
This was amazing in a cold winter day. We were tired of turkey dressing, and ham. I added a bit of Tony’s to spice it up!
Made this tonight, I used turkey sausage and added a can of rotel. Delicious! Will definitely be making this again.
Made this recipe a few months ago and LOVED it. Brought some to work and all my coworkers complained that my food smelled too good, so I shared the recipe. Will be making again this week. Thank you!
I made this and really liked it. I have a question about freezing it. I’ve frozen things with potatoes before
and they come out mushy after thawing-is there a method to use so that won’t happen? Thanks
I freeze stews with potatoes often, and find that the potatoes do break down when re-heating if I stir the pot a lot. I think they are less mushy if you let it totally defrost, and then reheat in the microwave without stirring things around too much. Or you could omit the potatoes and use beans (like great northern beans) for a more freezer friendly option instead.
This recipe looks so good….something my some-time vegetarian would like. I would like to make it in my Instant Pot. Any suggestions?
Hi Ali. I was wondering how you came up with a 10min. prep time. My wife and I love the soup,but my prep time always passes the 10min mark.It takes me about a half hour both time I have made the soup. I was wondering how you did the prep time to where you have it down to 10min.We have been putting a lot more effort into healthy eating and less time in the kitchen lol!! Let me know what you think,Thanks
Nice hearty soup that tastes great on a cold, wintery day. Took me longer than recipe indicated to make it, but it was worth the wait.
Awesome flavor!
I added blacked peas to ring in the New Year with good luck and prosperity ?
Thank you for sharing!!
Made this yesterday to have for dinner today. I used both sweet potatoes and white potatoes. It was tasty yesterday but today my husband declared it outstanding. Looking forward to my lunches this cold first week of January. Thank you!
Delicious! Lots of veggie chopping but not difficult to make at all. I added shrimp and loved it.
I made this soup but I replaced a things. I used butternut squash instead of potatoes and I used onions instead of leek. THE BOMB!! Thanks for posting.
Soup was amazing. I was wondering if the nutritional information is listed some place?
I wondered the same thing.
It is 33 degrees today in southeast Texas so I decided to make this soup! OMG!!! It is amazing! I will definitely be making this a lot!
So delicious and easy to put together!
I made this soup this past weekend, but substituted Italian sausage that I had on hand. It was DELICIOUS! I served it with some grated Romano cheese on top and it was excellent. This recipe is definitely a keeper. It freezes perfectly too, in case anyone was wondering.
What are the break down of calories, fat etc
Just made this yesterday and shared with a neighbor. We both give it high marks for great flavor. Easy ingredients and easy prep. Smells wonderful when cooking. Did not make any substitutes. Seriously good and will make again for sure. Thanks!!
I’m trying this for the first time tonight, I used Kielbasa cooked in apple juice, leeks and onion (I didn’t have enough leeks lol) are leeks nicer to use than sweet onion? Carrots, celery, garlic, 3 potatoes, spinach and cabbage. I’ve gone gluten free so this is an awesome addition to my new meal plans.
This is fabulous! I followed the recipe and my family loved it. Fresh and abundant! I love leftovers. This was great!
With a high of 9° F here today, soup was definitely on the menu. I made it with spinach feta chicken sausage and yellow onion (I couldn’t find leeks). This is sooo good! And so easy. Lucky for me my husband isn’t much of a soup eater. More for me. :) Thanks for sharing!
I was thinking a stalk of celery meant the whole bag. No wonder…. wasn’t bad but I’ll try again next time
The wife pinned this and we had two pounds of sausage already so I made this last night not really knowing what to expect. I kept my expectations low consdering I didnt feel like there would be much flavor. This soup is excellent. It ranks right up there with my homemade veg beef stew – which requires a ton more prep and costs a lot more to make. I highly highly recommend you try this recipe, or at least stop by for a bowl ?
What is the calories of this ?
Made this for dinner tonight; It was excellent. I used “Lite” Kielbasa and some ham I had left over, as well as onions instead of leeks. It’s been cold out here in NH for the last couple weeks and it “hit the spot” and was a healthy dinner. Will sure make again!
Lacked flavor needs more seasoning and double your amount of sasuage
I think this is about the best soup I have had in a long time!! Great recipe!
I made the soup tonight and it was wonderfully delicious! Just what we needed for a cold evening. Will make again.
Best soup ever!! Added 2 cans of diced tomatos, but I’m sure it would be delicious with them too:) I will make again and again!
Slow cooker? Anyone tried it?
ABSOLUTELY GREAT! I added cayenne pepper for an extra kick, ooooh weeee!
Made this tonight and it was amazing!!! I used russet potatoes instead of red because that’s what I had on hand but it was still so good!
Yum. Really required no additional s&p seasoning. Plenty of salt in the stock, and the leeks, garlic and Italian seasoning gave it tons of flavor.