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This kielbasa soup recipe is loaded with plenty of sausage, vegetables, and potatoes. It’s a great option when you want something that is hearty and filling but a little bit healthier!
You may also enjoy my Cabbage Soup with Bacon and Potatoes next.
Here in Canada/USA, kielbasa is often sold in grocery stores labeled as “smoked Polish sausage” or just “kielbasa”. “Kielbasa” actually means “sausage” in Polish. Did you know that? If you want to try another Polish-inspired soup recipe, check out my dill pickle soup.
I just love soups with sausage and potatoes. This is a broth-based soup without any cream, and although everyone knows I love my creamy recipes, this soup (and soups like this) really hit the spot for me as the weather gets cooler. And as air-conditioned offices stay cold. It’s also a tasty way to pack in some veggies. I added some cabbage in here too – it goes wonderfully in soup (like my cabbage roll soup or Instant Pot cabbage soup). I have a sautéed cabbage and kielbasa recipe you may like if that flavor combo appeals to you (it is surprisingly good if you’re not much of a cabbage eater).
Pro tip: I like to mash some of the potatoes right in the pot to give this kielbasa cabbage soup a little more texture. I like to use this quick trick in all sorts of soups that have potatoes.
This kielbasa potato soup is one of those “tastes better the next day” kinda soups, so it makes great leftovers. I gave some to my mom, and she was texting me saying how much she liked this soup. And she’s an honest kinda lady. She would tell me if it wasn’t good. 😀
Recipe notes:
- Smoked Ukrainian or Hungarian sausage would work in this soup if you can’t find kielbasa.
- You could definitely make this soup without adding the spinach at the end if you’re not a fan.
- You can use a different variety of potatoes if you wish. I didn’t bother peeling the potatoes – it’s up to you if you want to.
Other cozy soup recipes you may like:
- Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup
- Zuppa Toscana (Sausage, Bacon, Potato, and Kale Soup)
- Sausage and Vegetable Soup
- Instant Pot Ham and Potato Soup Recipe
- Crockpot Cabbage Soup with Beans, Sausage, and Potatoes
- Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup
- Sausage, Kale, and Gnocchi Soup
- Crockpot Italian Sausage Soup
Will you make this cabbage and kielbasa soup?
Questions? Ask away in the comments below. 🙂
Kielbasa Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion chopped
- 13 ounces kielbasa (smoked Polish sausage) see note
- 2 sticks celery chopped small
- 2 cups green cabbage chopped small
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 Russet potatoes scrubbed & diced (peel if you want to)
- 2 medium carrots peeled & sliced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter and oil in a soup pot/Dutch oven, then add in the onion, sausage, celery, and cabbage. Sauté over medium-high heat for 10 minutes or so.
- Stir in the garlic, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning, then add the potatoes and carrots to the pot.
- Add the chicken broth and water. Increase the heat to high and bring it to a boil. Once it's boiling, reduce the heat so it's simmering. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes and carrots can easily be pierced with a knife.
- I like to take a potato masher and quickly mash some of the potatoes to give the soup a slightly thicker texture (I just do this right in the pot). This step is optional.
- Add in the spinach and season the soup with salt & pepper as needed.
Notes
- I bought a coil of kielbasa sausage that weighed 13 oz./375 g. Feel free to use anything similar weight-wise.
- Kielbasa sausage shouldn’t be too greasy, so you shouldn’t have to drain any fat. If you use a different kind of sausage, however, you may need to use your discretion and drain some of the fat if needed.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Can I use spinach instead of kale I really don’t care much for it
Sure!
Can this recipe be done in a slow cooker?
I imagine it probably could be. I haven’t tested it, though. Up to you whether you want to still do the searing steps and then transfer to a slow cooker after or just chuck everything in. I’d add in the spinach just before serving.
Have made this soup a few times. It’s delicious and pretty healthy.
Awesome!! So glad you like it. Thanks for your review!
Terrific soup … I substituted chopped parsley for the spinach (added near the end) … and used Yukon Gold potatoes – they stand up a little better than russets … we had friends over, and they both had seconds; so did we. Ha. Our guests brought homemade pretzel rolls – great for sopping up the liquid.
I’m so glad you all enjoyed it, Tom!! 😀
Made this soup tonight. It was very delicious…thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome! 🙂
I like that so many ingredients are in two’s: two carrots plus 2 cloves of garlic plus… Makes it so much easier than 3/4 rds of a 28 lt can of tomatoes, for instance.
I’m so glad you found the recipe easy! I try not to make the measurements too difficult haha. 🙂
How can I add some more spices to this soup?
I’m not sure what you mean. Did you not like the recipe as written?
8 months too late, but the best way to add a little heat would be to add some red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic, etc.
Omg first time making this soup and it is soooo good. The only thing I didnt have was the smoked paprika. But I used regular paprika
I’m sure the smoked paprika adds to the flavor. My husband is going to love this for supper tonight.
Thanks for the recipe!
You’re very welcome!! So happy you enjoyed it.
Could you use kale instead of spinach?
You bet! But… you probably should add it in a bit earlier since it’s a bit tougher.
I have this on the stove right now. This is the second soup recipe that I made from your website today. I made the potato and ham recipe for lunch. I shared your recipes on FB and Twitter. This recipe was extremely easy to put together. I didn’t have smoked paprika, I just had ground paprika. I will buy smoked paprika the next time I go grocery shopping.
I love that!! I’m so happy that you’re enjoying my recipes! Yes, you definitely need to try smoked paprika… it’s one of my most used spices 🙂