Cozy Kielbasa Potato Soup Recipe: Hearty Comfort in a Bowl

Hearty comfort awaits in this kielbasa potato soup that warms you from the inside out.

Polish sausage brings robust flavor to a creamy blend of tender vegetables.

Chunks of savory kielbasa dance with soft potatoes in a rich, velvety broth.

Weeknight dinners can feel luxurious with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Simple ingredients combine to create a meal that feels like a culinary hug.

Cold evenings call for something substantial and soul-soothing like this classic soup.

You’ll want to ladle this warmth into bowls and savor every comforting spoonful.

Kielbasa Potato Soup That’s Savory and Filling

• This kielbasa potato soup transforms simple ingredients into a delicious meal with minimal kitchen skills required.
• By using just one pot, you'll minimize cleanup while maximizing taste, creating a satisfying dinner that doesn't demand complex cooking techniques.
• Versatile enough to please both kids and adults, this soup offers rich, smoky flavors that appeal to different taste preferences while providing a nutritious, filling meal.

What You’ll Need for Kielbasa and Potato Soup

• Kielbasa Sausage: A smoky Polish sausage that adds rich, meaty flavor and protein to the soup.
• Chicken Broth: Provides a savory liquid base with deep flavor and helps cook the vegetables.

• Butter: Creates a rich foundation for sautéing and adds depth to the soup.
• Milk: Gives the soup a creamy, smooth texture and softens the overall flavor profile.

• Potatoes, Onion, Garlic: Core vegetables that provide heartiness, sweetness, and aromatic depth to the soup.

• Dried Thyme, Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the soup's overall taste.

• Shredded Cheese, Sour Cream, Green Onions: Fresh toppings that add extra texture and layers of flavor to the finished soup.

How to Cook a Hearty Kielbasa Potato Soup

Step 1: Brown the Kielbasa

Heat butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add sliced kielbasa and cook until golden brown on both sides. The browning process creates deep, smoky flavors. Remove kielbasa and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Aromatic Base

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

Saute until onions become soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. The kitchen will fill with a delicious fragrant aroma.

Step 3: Create the Soup Foundation

• Diced potatoes
• Chicken broth

Stir ingredients together and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until potatoes become fork-tender.

Step 4: Enrich the Soup

• Milk
• Dried thyme

Simmer for 5 additional minutes. This allows flavors to blend beautifully. Season with salt and pepper to your preference.

Step 5: Reunite the Kielbasa

Return browned kielbasa to the pot. Stir and let it warm through for 3-5 minutes, allowing the sausage to infuse its rich flavor into the soup.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream
• Chopped green onions

Serve alongside crusty bread for a complete comfort meal.

Tips for Cooking Sausage and Potatoes Together Smoothly

• Slice Sausage Strategically: Cut kielbasa into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor distribution throughout the soup.
• Control Potato Texture: Dice potatoes into similar-sized chunks for consistent cooking, preventing some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
• Layer Flavor Gradually: Sauté kielbasa first to develop a rich, smoky base, then use the same pot for vegetables to capture those delicious browned bits and maximize taste.
• Adjust Consistency Wisely: If the soup becomes too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or milk to reach your desired creaminess without losing the soup's original flavor profile.
• Customize with Toppings: Experiment with garnishes like crispy bacon bits, fresh chives, or a sprinkle of smoked paprika to elevate the soup's taste and visual appeal.

How to Reheat Kielbasa Potato Soup Without Mushiness

• Store leftover kielbasa potato soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Allow soup to reach room temperature before sealing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain optimal flavor quality.
• Warm soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of extra chicken broth to restore original consistency if needed.
• Can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat gently, whisking to recombine separated ingredients.

Serving Suggestions That Complement This Soup

• Deep, bold red wines like Syrah or Zinfandel complement the smoky kielbasa and rich soup base, enhancing the hearty flavors with their robust character.
• Serve crusty sourdough or rustic rye bread alongside the soup, perfect for soaking up the creamy broth and adding delightful textural contrast.
• Prepare a tangy green salad with light vinaigrette dressing to cut through the soup's richness, providing a fresh and zesty counterpoint to the warm, comforting dish.
• Select a malty amber ale or German-style lager that echoes the kielbasa's smokiness while offering a refreshing, crisp finish to balance the creamy soup.

Variations to Add Heat or Herbs

• Vegetarian Polish Potato Soup: Replace kielbasa with smoked tofu or plant-based sausage for a meat-free version that maintains rich, hearty flavors.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Soup: Swap potatoes with cauliflower florets to create a keto-friendly alternative that keeps the creamy texture and smoky essence.
• Dairy-Free Comfort Soup: Use coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk instead of regular milk, and ensure all other ingredients are dairy-free for those with lactose sensitivities.
• Spicy Kielbasa Soup: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to increase heat and create a zestier version of the traditional recipe, perfect for spice lovers.

Kielbasa Potato Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Polish Kielbasa potato soup delivers comfort in a bowl, blending smoky sausage with creamy potatoes. Warm spices and rich broth create a satisfying meal that connects you to traditional Eastern European cuisine.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) kielbasa, sliced into rounds

Vegetables:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (about 4 cups)
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 celery stalks, diced

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup heavy cream (or milk for a lighter version)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Render the kielbasa in a spacious pot over medium flame, allowing it to develop a golden-brown exterior that concentrates its robust, smoky essence. Carefully extract the sausage, preserving its caramelized goodness for later incorporation.
2. Utilize the same pot to sauté diced onions and minced garlic, transforming them into a translucent, aromatic base that will provide depth to the soup’s foundation.
3. Introduce diced potatoes and chicken broth, creating a harmonious liquid environment. Elevate the temperature to a vigorous boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing the potatoes to tenderize and absorb the surrounding flavors.
4. Infuse the simmering mixture with milk and dried thyme, stirring gently to create a creamy, herb-enhanced landscape. Season judiciously with salt and pepper to amplify the soup’s inherent taste profile.
5. Reintegrate the previously browned kielbasa into the pot, ensuring it warms thoroughly and redistributes its smoky undertones throughout the liquid.
6. Transfer the steaming soup into serving vessels, embellishing with optional garnishes like shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, or delicately chopped green onions. Accompany with a rustic bread slice for a complete, comforting meal experience.

Notes

• Swap sausage with plant-based alternatives like smoked tofu or tempeh to create a vegetarian version that maintains the rich, smoky flavor profile.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium chicken broth and monitoring salt content during seasoning to make the soup heart-healthy.
• Enhance creaminess by blending a portion of the potatoes before adding milk, creating a thicker texture without extra calories.
• Make the soup more nutritious by adding chopped kale or spinach during the last few minutes of cooking, boosting vitamin content without compromising taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Polish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg