Old-Fashioned Potato Cabbage and Kielbasa Soup
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Potato Cabbage Kielbasa Soup is the ultimate cozy, budget-friendly dinner! Packed with tender potatoes, smoky kielbasa, and sweet cabbage, this easy stovetop soup is hearty, comforting, and perfect for cold nights. Great for meal prep and weeknights! Be sure to check out my Beef Cabbage Soup, too!
“My Polish husband loves cabbage soup, so I tried your recipe and the added flavors from red pepper flakes and the vinegar was amazing. It is going to be our go to from here on in. Wonderful!!!”
The inspiration behind this recipe:
Whenever I return home from visiting my 92-year-old father in Wisconsin as I did for Christmas, I crave something old-world, simple yet hearty. I love to sit and listen to him tell stories about growing up and about times that were difficult but simple.
In today’s crazy world, I often crave “simple.”
I love all my modern conveniences like my smartphone and computer so I prefer to live in the here and now. However, it’s fun to go back in time with recipes like this hearty farm-inspired Old-Fashioned Potato Cabbage and Kielbasa Soup.
This soup has all the comforts of home!
- Potatoes
- Cabbage and other vegetables like onion, celery and carrots
- Kielbasa (use traditional pork, beef or for a more healthful touch–turkey kielbasa)
- A spicy, tomatoey broth seasoned with classic herbs and spices
- A splash of cider vinegar to make it all pop!
How to make Old-Fashioned Potato Cabbage and Kielbasa Soup:
First, gather and prep all the ingredients:
- Canola or vegetable oil
- Onion
- Carrots
- Celery
- Garlic
- Cabbage
- Kielbasa
- Chicken broth
- Beef broth
- Canned crushed tomatoes plus some water to rinse out the can
- Red potatoes
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Dried thyme
- Dried marjoram
- Hungarian paprika
- Salt and black pepper
- Chopped parsley
- Cider vinegar
INGREDIENT NOTES:
- Kielbasa: Also known as Polish sausage which is generally made with pork. You can also use smoked sausage, beef sausage or turkey kielbasa.
- Beef Broth: Using beef broth adds an additional depth of flavor, but you can use all chicken broth or even vegetable broth if you prefer.
- Red Potatoes: I like to use red potatoes because they’re “waxy” and not starchy like Russets. Because of the high starch content, Russets tend to fall apart. Red potatoes and even Yukon Gold potatoes keep their shape better in soup.
- Marjoram: Marjoram is an herb used in many meat dishes and stews in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine but is also quite popular in Polish cuisine. If you don’t have or prefer not to buy, substitute oregano but cut the amount of oregano in half as it’s stronger than marjoram.
- Hungarian Paprika: Hungarian paprika is made from toasted peppers and then blended to create different varieties. All Hungarian paprikas have a rich, sweet red pepper flavor however they all range in pungency and heat.
There’s not much to it!
- Chop the veggies: Onion, carrot, celery, garlic and cabbage.
- Add the cabbage, kielbasa and seasonings.
- Add the potatoes.
- Simmer until it’s all tender.
- Garnish with fresh parsley because all soups need something green and fresh at the end.
- Throw in a splash of cider vinegar. A little splash of vinegar makes the whole soup SING!
- Ladle it into bowls and garnish with more fresh parsley.
- Serve with crusty bread and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to a simpler era! Old-Fashioned Potato, Cabbage and Kielbasa Soup is perfect for when you’ve had a super-stressful day!
This recipe makes enough to feed the family down the street, too! It freezes beautifully so it’s perfect to have on hand all winter long!
Want some more old-fashioned soup goodness? Be sure to check out my:
- Farmhouse Cabbage Soup with Cannellini Beans and Kielbasa
- Russian Cabbage Soup (Shchi)
- Creamy Potato, Kielbasa and Kale Soup
- Sausage Lentil Soup
- Traditional Hungarian Goulash Soup
Old-Fashioned Potato Cabbage and Kielbasa Soup
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 large carrots, halved lengthwise and sliced
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/2 medium head of cabbage, sliced
- 2 packages (14-ounces each) kielbasa, (pork, beef or turkey), halved lengthwise and sliced
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 can (15-ounce) beef broth
- 1 can (28-ounce) crushed tomatoes, plus 1/2 cup water to rinse out the can
- 1 pound small red new potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried marjoram
- 1 tablespoon Hungarian paprika
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar, optional, see note
Instructions
- Heat canola oil in a large Dutch oven or other large soup pot over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion, reduce heat to medium and cook 6-7 minutes, stirring often or until onion is beginning to soften.
- Add the carrots, celery and garlic and continue cooking, stirring often or until vegetables are softened.
- Add the cabbage and kielbasa and cook 2 minutes.
- Add chicken broth, beef broth, crushed tomatoes, water from rinsing the can, crushed red pepper flakes, thyme, marjoram and paprika. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low then add the cubed potatoes.
- Simmer over medium-low to low heat for 25 to 30 minutes or until potatoes can be easily pierced with a paring knife.
- Season to taste with salt and black pepper if desired.
- Stir in parsley and cider vinegar (if needed).
Notes
- In place of kielbasa, you can also use smoked sausage, beef sausage, or turkey kielbasa.
- Let the soup rest for 15-20 minutes before serving. It will be too hot anyway and this allows the flavors to meld.
- The flavor of this soup only gets better after a day or two. Cool and refrigerate.
- Reheat in the Dutch oven over medium heat until the soup is heated through and is simmering.
- If reheating smaller portions, reheat in a saucepan or in the microwave.
- Freeze in airtight containers for 2-3 months.
- Thaw in the refrigerator. Reheat in a saucepan or the microwave.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are automatically calculated using unbranded products and are estimates only. Actual results may vary based on ingredients used and portion sizes. Adjust as needed for dietary restrictions, allergies, or health concerns.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
OMG! I made this delicious soup yesterday and my husband ate three bowls of it! It’s definitely going to be one of our favorite recipes! Thank you Carol for sharing this wonderful, comforting soup recipe with us!
Hi, Sulynne, Thanks so very much and happy you love this recipe! And so happy your hubby does, too! Appreciate you trying the recipe and for taking the time to come back and comment and rate.
Can I use dried Portuguese chorizo? Any tips? Should I fry pieces first??
Hi, Mags, Thank you for your question. Yes, you absolutely can — it would be more like a Caldo Verde. I don’t think you need to fry the slices first. Thanks again and hope you enjoy!