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Authentic Polish Sauerkraut Soup (Kapusniak) with Kielbasa

A close-up of a steaming bowl of sauerkraut soup featuring sausage slices, potatoes, carrots, and fresh parsley.
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Make this hearty, one-pot Polish Sauerkraut Soup, Kapusniak, featuring smoky kielbasa and potatoes. It is a comforting, tangy soup perfect for chilly evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound kielbasa sausage, sliced
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 pound potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 (32 ounce) package sauerkraut, drained and rinsed lightly
  • 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional, for richness)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. 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, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
  2. Add the chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the diced potatoes, drained sauerkraut, marjoram, bay leaf, and caraway seeds if using.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
  5. Return the cooked kielbasa to the pot. Continue to simmer for another 5 minutes to heat through.
  6. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the heavy cream, if you are using it, for a richer texture. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
  7. Ladle the Kapusniak into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Rinsing the sauerkraut reduces the overall sourness; skip rinsing if you prefer a stronger tangy flavor.
  • For a deeper flavor, brown the kielbasa well before removing it from the pot.
  • This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://bringdish.com/sauerkraut-soup-authentic-polish-kapusniak-recipe/