Polish Sausage and Cabbage Soup Crock Pot
A comforting and hearty Polish Sausage and Cabbage Soup slow-cooked in a crock pot, combining tender cabbage, smoky sausage, and savory broth. Perfect for chilly evenings and family dinners, this easy-to-make soup features simple ingredients and delivers rich, satisfying flavors with minimal effort.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours low or 3 to 4 hours high
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Eastern European
- Diet: Gluten Free
Meat
- 1 lb Polish sausage (kielbasa), sliced into rounds
Vegetables
- 1 medium green cabbage, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 medium potatoes, diced (optional)
Broth and Seasonings
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Optional: crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeño for spice
- Optional: smoked paprika or chipotle powder for smoky flavor
- Prepare and Slice Ingredients: Chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces, slice the Polish sausage into rounds, and dice the onions, carrots, and garlic to release their flavors during cooking.
- Combine Ingredients in the Crock Pot: Place the chopped cabbage, sliced sausage, carrots, onions, and minced garlic into your slow cooker. Pour in the broth and add bay leaves, salt, pepper, and any optional seasonings.
- Slow Cook Until Tender: Set your crock pot on low and cook for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours. The sausage will release its rich oils, and the cabbage will soften beautifully, blending all the flavors.
- Final Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup before serving and adjust salt, pepper, or add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice for a bright, tangy finish.
Notes
- Use genuine smoked Polish sausage for authentic flavor.
- For extra depth, brown the sausage in a pan before adding to the crock pot.
- Chop cabbage uniformly for even cooking and pleasant texture.
- Add herbs and spices gradually and adjust seasoning toward the end to avoid over-seasoning.
- Cook cabbage until tender but not mushy to maintain texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Polish sausage soup, cabbage soup, slow cooker soup, kielbasa soup, comfort food, crock pot recipe, gluten free, hearty soup