Sauerkraut and Polish Sausage Soup
A comforting, smoky soup featuring smoked sausage and tangy sauerkraut, simmered to perfection with classic European spices. This french-inspired soups ready in about 50 minutes pairs smoked Polish sausage, sauerkraut, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb smoked Polish sausage
- 2 cups sauerkraut
- 1 onion
- 2 carrot
- 2 stalks celery
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 tsp caraway seeds
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh dill
Instructions
- Step 1: Slice 1 lb smoked Polish sausage into 1/2-inch rounds. Rinse 2 cups sauerkraut under cold water and drain well.
- Step 2: Chop 1 onion, slice 2 carrots, and slice 2 celery stalks. Add sausage, sauerkraut, onion, carrots, celery, 4 cups chicken broth, 1 bay leaf, and 1/2 tsp caraway seeds to a large pot.
- Step 3: Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Step 4: Remove bay leaf. Season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Stir in 1/4 cup fresh dill and simmer for 5 minutes more.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sauerkraut and Polish Sausage Soup take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Sauerkraut and Polish Sausage Soup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep smoked polish sausage from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sauerkraut and Polish Sausage Soup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Sauerkraut and Polish Sausage Soup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Sauerkraut and Polish Sausage Soup?
French soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
