Description
Warm up with this authentic Polish Sauerkraut Soup, Kapusniak. This hearty, savory, and tangy soup features kielbasa, potatoes, and mellowed sauerkraut for a comforting one-pot dinner perfect for chilly days.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound kielbasa sausage, sliced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 pound potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 quart (4 cups) chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 (32 ounce) package sauerkraut, drained (reserve liquid)
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, for creamy variation)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced kielbasa and cook until lightly browned, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.
- Add the cubed potatoes, broth, drained sauerkraut, marjoram, and bay leaf to the pot. If the sauerkraut was very dry, add up to 1 cup of the reserved sauerkraut liquid for extra tang.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
- Return the cooked kielbasa to the pot. Stir well.
- If you want a creamy sauerkraut soup, stir in the heavy cream now. Heat through for 2 minutes, but do not boil after adding cream.
- Remove the bay leaf. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot with crusty bread.
Notes
- For a more traditional, less creamy soup, skip the heavy cream addition.
- If you prefer a stronger sour flavor, add a splash of the reserved sauerkraut juice near the end of cooking.
- This soup is a fantastic comfort food soup and tastes even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 45 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Polish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 750
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 18
- Cholesterol: 55