Instant Pot Kielbasa Cabbage Potato Soup Recipe

As a food blogger, I reworked my grandmother’s kielbasa and cabbage base by adding potatoes and carrots and tucked in one pantry ingredient that changes everything in my Instant Pot version.

I keep coming back to this Instant Pot Kielbasa Cabbage Potato Soup because it’s simple but has a sneaky depth. Rounds of smoked kielbasa give a smoky punch, and the green cabbage softens into slightly sweet ribbons that change everything.

I call it my Kielbasa Soup Instant Pot fix when I want something fast but not boring, and even folks who swear by bland weeknight food get curious. This Cabbage And Kielbasa Soup Instant Pot twist is rustic, a little rough around the edges, and it somehow tastes like a small confident secret.

You might make it once, and then keep coming back.

Ingredients

• Kielbasa: smoky, salty, protein rich, gives meaty richness.
• Cabbage: high in fiber, low calorie, slightly sweet, soaks up broth.
• Potatoes: starchy carbs for energy, creamy texture, help thicken soup.
• Carrots: add subtle sweetness, color, and beta carotene for nutrition.
• Onion and garlic: savory aromatics that build depth, turn sweet when cooked.
• Chicken broth: umami base, controls sodium so you can season later.
• Smoked paprika: gives smoky warmth and color without heat, deepens flavor.
• Apple cider vinegar: brightens, cuts richness, adds a subtle tang to finish.
• Fresh parsley: fresh herb garnish, adds color and a clean finish.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 lb (16 oz) smoked kielbasa, sliced into rounds
• 1 small head green cabbage about 1 lb, cored and roughly chopped
• 1 1/2 lb potatoes (Yukon Gold or russet) peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
• 2 medium carrots peeled and sliced
• 1 medium yellow onion chopped
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 6 cups (48 fl oz) low sodium chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, adjust to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar optional, for brightness
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish optional

How to Make this

1. Prep everything: slice the kielbasa into rounds, core and roughly chop the cabbage, peel and cube the potatoes into 1 inch pieces, peel and slice the carrots, chop the onion and mince the garlic. Use low sodium chicken broth so you can control salt later.

2. Set Instant Pot to Sauté and heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. When hot, add kielbasa and brown about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring so both sides get color. Scoop kielbasa out and set aside.

3. Add chopped onion and carrots to the pot and sauté 3 to 4 minutes until they start to soften. Stir in garlic, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika and 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, cook about 30 seconds until fragrant.

4. Add the potatoes and chopped cabbage, then return the browned kielbasa to the pot. Toss in 1 bay leaf, 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt (start low if you want), and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.

5. Pour in 6 cups (48 fl oz) chicken broth, scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits so the pot wont throw a burn error.

6. Close the lid, set valve to sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes.

7. When the cook time ends, do a quick release carefully. Open lid, discard the bay leaf, give the soup a good stir.

8. Taste and adjust seasoning. Stir in 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar if using to brighten flavors. If potatoes need more softening or you want a thicker broth, switch to Sauté and simmer 3 to 5 minutes.

9. If you get a Burn message: cancel, add 1/2 cup water or broth, scrape the bottom to deglaze, then resume cooking (usually 1 to 2 more minutes on pressure will finish).

10. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy, and remember to taste as you go next time — little tweaks make it perfect.

Equipment Needed

1. Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker
2. Sharp chef knife
3. Cutting board
4. Vegetable peeler
5. Wooden spoon for scraping browned bits
6. Tongs or slotted spoon to brown and remove the kielbasa
7. Measuring cups and spoons (and a liquid measuring cup)
8. Ladle and heatproof serving bowls

FAQ

Instant Pot Kielbasa Cabbage Potato Soup Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Kielbasa: swap with smoked sausage, Polish sausage, or pre-cooked chicken sausage (use same weight). Brown slices first for better color and flavor since they’re already cooked.
• Cabbage: use savoy or napa cabbage, or a bag of frozen coleslaw mix (thaw). Savoy is milder and cooks a bit faster, frozen is super convenient.
• Potatoes: replace with red potatoes for a waxier bite, or sweet potatoes for a sweeter, earthier soup (same 1 inch cubes). For low-carb, use cauliflower florets added near the end so they dont go mushy.
• Chicken broth: swap for low-sodium vegetable broth for a lighter or vegetarian version, or use beef broth for a richer taste. You can also use 48 fl oz water plus 2-3 bouillon cubes if needed.

Pro Tips

1) Get big flavor from the meat: Sear the kielbasa until the edges are nicely browned, it really concentrates the smoky fat and flavors you want in the broth. Don’t toss those brown bits, scrape and stir them into the liquid or deglaze well, they make the whole thing taste better.

2) Avoid the dreaded burn message: after browning, make sure nothing is stuck to the bottom before you add all the liquid, and give the bottom a good scrape. If the pot still hesitates, add an extra 1/4 cup of broth or water so the starchy potatoes dont form a paste on the bottom.

3) Control the soup texture without changing cook time: if you want it thicker, mash a cup of the cooked potatoes against the pot or blitz a small portion with an immersion blender, if you want it silkier add a splash of cream or milk at the end. Do your seasoning after you thicken so you dont over-salt.

4) Brighten and finish smart: a little acid at the end like a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or a squeeze of lemon wakes up the flavors, and letting the soup sit 10 to 30 minutes before serving helps them meld. Also taste before adding salt, kielbasa can be saltier than you expect.