I prepared a bowl of Kilbasa Sausage Cabbage Soup that blends hearty sliced kielbasa, crisp green cabbage, tender cubed potatoes, and carrots with diced celery, chopped onion, and minced garlic, all simmered in savory chicken broth with bay leaves and thyme. This satisfying dish delivers natural flavor in every spoonful.

I recently came across a recipe for cabbage sausage soup and I knew I had to share it. I love how this dish blends hearty ingredients like 1 lb kielbasa sausage, roughly chopped green cabbage, and cubed potatoes into a single satisfying bowl.
I started by browning the sausage in olive oil and then added chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Once the veggies began to soften, I mixed in the potatoes and let it all simmer in 6 cups chicken broth with a couple of bay leaves and a teaspoon of dried thyme.
The aroma was amazing and i couldnt help thinking of how many variations there are like Polish Sausage And Cabbage Crock Pot or even a twist on Irish Sausage And Cabbage Stew fashions. Its a recipe with depth, sure to surprise you with every bite.
Youve got to try it and see how these familiar ingredients come together in unexpected ways.
Why I Like this Recipe
I love this recipe for a bunch of reasons. First, I dig how hearty and filling it is. The crazy mix of kielbasa with crisp cabbage and all those veggies gives it a real comforting vibe like a warm hug on a cold day.
Second, I appreciate how easy it is to whip up. Even when I’m in a rush, I can get the sausage browning, throw in the veggies, and have a delicious meal simmering in no time.
Third, I like that it feels healthy without being boring. The mix of potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion along with the rich broth makes it both nutritious and super satisfying.
Lastly, I really enjoy the flavor boost from the garlic, thyme, and bay leaves. They add that extra kick that makes every spoonful a little adventure.
Ingredients

- Kielbasa sausage: Savory protein rich sausage that adds a smoky, robust flavor to the soup.
- Green cabbage: High in fiber and vitamins, cabbage gives a crunch and subtle sweet taste.
- Potatoes: Starchy yet nutritious, potatoes provide satisfying carbs that thicken teh stew and enrich flavors.
- Carrots: Naturally sweet carrots boost flavor while supplying beta carotene and antioxidants.
- Celery: Crunchy celery offers essential vitamins and a refreshing, earthy taste in the soup.
- Chicken broth: Rich broth infuses teh dish with deep umami flavors but stays light.
- Garlic: Adds a pungent, aromatic punch and boosts immunity naturally.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 lb kielbasa sausage, sliced into rounds
- 1 head green cabbage, cored and roughly chopped
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3 carrots, peeled and cut into bite size pieces
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make this
1. Heat the olive oil in a big pot over medium heat and toss in the sliced kielbasa sausage. Cook until they get some light browning on them.
2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot, stirring until the onion starts to get soft and a bit golden.
3. Mix in the carrots, celery, and cubed potatoes, letting them cook for about 2 to 3 minutes while stirring occasionally.
4. Pour in the chicken broth and toss in the bay leaves, dried thyme, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Bring it all to a simmer.
5. Let the soup simmer for around 10 minutes so the flavors can get to know each other.
6. Then, add the roughly chopped cabbage, stirring it in until it starts to wilt.
7. Lower the heat and let it all simmer for another 20 to 25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
8. Check the soup, taste and add more salt or pepper if needed, then remove the bay leaves.
9. Serve the soup hot, and if you like, sprinkle a little extra pepper on top for a final kick.
Equipment Needed
1. Large pot – You need a big pot, like an 8-quart one, to hold all the soup ingredients and allow even heating.
2. Stove – A working stove is a must-have to heat the olive oil and bring everything to a simmer.
3. Sharp knife – A quality knife is essential for slicing the kielbasa, chopping the onion, and dicing the vegetables.
4. Cutting board – Use a sturdy cutting board to safely prep the meat and veggies.
5. Wooden spoon – A long-handled spoon is needed for stirring the ingredients while they cook.
6. Measuring spoons – These help you add the right amounts of dried thyme, salt, and pepper accurately.
7. Ladle – A ladle is useful for serving the soup evenly into bowls.
FAQ
Cabbage Sausage Soup Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- If you cant find kielbasa, try using andouille or a smoked sausage instead
- If green cabbage is scarce, swap it out for napa or savoy cabbage
- Chicken broth can be replaced by beef broth or even a good veggie broth
- You can use sweet potatoes in place of regular potatoes for a bit of a twist
- If you’re out of olive oil, any neutral oil or a bit of butter works just fine
Pro Tips
1. When browning the kielbasa, be sure not to crowd the pan so you actually get that crispy, caramelized edge instead of just steaming it. Trust me, that extra crunch really steps up the flavor game.
2. Keep an eye on the garlic and onions while you’re sautéing them; you want them soft and a lil golden instead of burnt. It might seem like a small thing, but burnt garlic can totally ruin the soup’s taste.
3. Add the cabbage later in the simmering process to keep it from turning into a mushy mess. That way, you still get some texture and a fresh taste in every bite.
4. Don’t be shy about tasting as you go. Sometimes you might need a bit more salt or pepper, so adjust it to your liking. A little extra kick can go a long way, especially if you like bold flavors.
Cabbage Sausage Soup Recipe
My favorite Cabbage Sausage Soup Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Large pot – You need a big pot, like an 8-quart one, to hold all the soup ingredients and allow even heating.
2. Stove – A working stove is a must-have to heat the olive oil and bring everything to a simmer.
3. Sharp knife – A quality knife is essential for slicing the kielbasa, chopping the onion, and dicing the vegetables.
4. Cutting board – Use a sturdy cutting board to safely prep the meat and veggies.
5. Wooden spoon – A long-handled spoon is needed for stirring the ingredients while they cook.
6. Measuring spoons – These help you add the right amounts of dried thyme, salt, and pepper accurately.
7. Ladle – A ladle is useful for serving the soup evenly into bowls.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb kielbasa sausage, sliced into rounds
- 1 head green cabbage, cored and roughly chopped
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 3 carrots, peeled and cut into bite size pieces
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Heat the olive oil in a big pot over medium heat and toss in the sliced kielbasa sausage. Cook until they get some light browning on them.
2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot, stirring until the onion starts to get soft and a bit golden.
3. Mix in the carrots, celery, and cubed potatoes, letting them cook for about 2 to 3 minutes while stirring occasionally.
4. Pour in the chicken broth and toss in the bay leaves, dried thyme, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Bring it all to a simmer.
5. Let the soup simmer for around 10 minutes so the flavors can get to know each other.
6. Then, add the roughly chopped cabbage, stirring it in until it starts to wilt.
7. Lower the heat and let it all simmer for another 20 to 25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
8. Check the soup, taste and add more salt or pepper if needed, then remove the bay leaves.
9. Serve the soup hot, and if you like, sprinkle a little extra pepper on top for a final kick.



















