Classic Bigos with Sausage and Cabbage

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-08 · Updated 2026-04-08

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A slow-simmered Polish stew of sauerkraut, cabbage, and smoked sausage, flavored with caraway and bay leaves for deep, savory comfort. This Polish-inspired soup recipe, ready in about 140 minutes, pairs Beef, Smoked sausage, Sauerkraut for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 120 min Serves 6 Polish cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 pound Beef
8 ounces Smoked sausage
2 cups Sauerkraut
1 medium Cabbage
2 medium Yellow onion
1 medium Carrot
3 cloves Garlic
2 tablespoons Tomato paste
2 cups Beef broth
2 Bay leaf
1 teaspoon Black pepper
1 teaspoon Caraway seeds

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Instructions

Step 1: Brown the meat: In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook 1 pound diced beef and 8 ounces diced smoked sausage until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Step 2: Sauté aromatics: In the same pot, add 2 medium chopped onions and cook for 5 minutes until translucent. Add 1 medium shredded carrot and 3 minced garlic cloves, and cook for 2 more minutes until fragrant.
Step 3: Add the rest: Stir in 2 cups drained sauerkraut, 1 medium shredded cabbage, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 cups beef broth, 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon caraway seeds. Return the browned meat to the pot.
Step 4: Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 5: Adjust: Taste and adjust seasoning. Remove bay leaves before serving.