There is something incredibly comforting about a warm bowl of vegetable and sausage soup, but when it’s given a luscious twist with cream, it becomes pure magic. The Creamy Cabbage and Sausage Soup Recipe combines tender shredded green cabbage with savory sausage and a velvety, rich broth that feels like a cozy hug on a chilly day. Every spoonful delivers a wonderful blend of flavors and textures, from the sweet carrots and aromatic caraway seeds to the subtle warmth of the sausage, all brought together by the silky cream finish. If you’re craving a satisfying homemade soup that’s both hearty and elegant, this recipe is destined to become one of your favorites.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The brilliance of this recipe is in its simplicity, but each ingredient plays an essential role in building layers of flavor and texture. From the crispy freshness of the cabbage to the seasoning punch of caraway seeds, every component is carefully chosen to make this soup a standout.
- Butter: Provides a rich base to gently cook the vegetables and infuse the soup with creaminess.
- Yellow onion: Offers sweetness and depth when softened just right.
- Carrots: Add a subtle natural sweetness and vibrant color to brighten the soup.
- Celery: Gives a hint of earthiness and a satisfying crunch before cooking down.
- Garlic: Lends aromatic warmth that builds complexity without overpowering.
- Green cabbage: The star vegetable, shredded finely to become tender yet maintain texture.
- Sausage: Brings savory, smoky richness; Oktoberfest sausage is perfect here but use your favorite.
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings balancing all flavors perfectly.
- Crushed caraway seed: Introduces a distinct, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with cabbage.
- Bay leaf: Adds a subtle earthy background note while simmering.
- Chicken broth: The flavorful liquid that forms the base of the soup.
- Flour: Helps thicken the soup when combined with cream for that luscious texture.
- 10% cream: The final touch that makes this soup decadently creamy and rich.
How to Make Creamy Cabbage and Sausage Soup Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Start by melting butter in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Adding diced yellow onion and gently cooking it for 5 minutes allows the natural sweetness to develop, setting a flavorful foundation. This slow softening is key to preventing any harsh bite from the onions later on.
Step 2: Add Carrots, Celery, and Garlic
Next, toss in the diced carrots and celery. Cooking these for an additional 5 minutes brings out their natural sweetness and subtly softens them without losing their shape. Sprinkle in the minced garlic and sauté for just one minute to release its fragrance without turning bitter—a delicate balance that will make your soup smell irresistible.
Step 3: Incorporate the Cabbage
Adding the finely shredded green cabbage to the pot is where this soup truly begins to take shape. Cook everything together for about 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the cabbage to soften but still retain a slight bite, which adds great texture to the creamy broth later on.
Step 4: Add the Sausage
If your sausage has a thick casing, removing it makes for a more harmonious texture in the soup. Cut the sausage into fine dice and mix it thoroughly with the cabbage mixture. The sausage cooks through as the soup simmers, imparting rich, savory flavors that combine beautifully with the vegetables.
Step 5: Season and Simmer
Season the pot with salt, freshly cracked black pepper, pungent caraway seeds, and a bay leaf. Stir everything to mix the spices evenly. Pour in the chicken broth, cover, and let it simmer for about 30 minutes so all the flavors meld and the cabbage becomes tender and flavorful. The gentle simmer allows the sausage to meld fully with the broth without drying out.
Step 6: Finish with Cream and Flour
Once your soup has simmered, remove the bay leaf. In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the flour with the 10% cream, whisking until completely smooth. Pour this mixture slowly into the pot, stirring gently. Heat through but do not boil, allowing the cream to thicken the soup into that dreamy consistency that earns the name Creamy Cabbage and Sausage Soup Recipe. Adjust salt and pepper according to your taste preference.
How to Serve Creamy Cabbage and Sausage Soup Recipe
Garnishes
A little garnish can elevate your bowl beautifully. Freshly chopped parsley or chives bring a pop of color and fresh flavor. A sprinkle of cracked black pepper or a drizzle of good olive oil adds a lovely finishing touch that makes every spoonful feel extra special.
Side Dishes
This soup is quite hearty on its own but pairs wonderfully with crusty artisan bread or warm buttered rolls to mop up every last bit of creamy goodness. A simple green salad with vinaigrette balances the richness, adding a crisp counterpoint to the comforting soup.
Creative Ways to Present
For a crowd, serve this soup in rustic bread bowls, hollowed out to make an edible vessel that adds excitement to the meal. You can also top individual servings with shredded sharp cheddar or a dollop of sour cream for extra indulgence. Presenting the soup with a side of pickled vegetables introduces a tangy contrast that really brightens the palate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This soup holds up beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store leftovers in airtight containers to keep the flavors fresh. You’ll find that the cabbage continues to soak in the delicious broth, sometimes tasting even better the next day.
Freezing
If you want to freeze the Creamy Cabbage and Sausage Soup Recipe for an easy future meal, let it cool completely and transfer it to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-top bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Note that the cream may separate slightly after freezing, but a good stir while reheating fixes that easily.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring often to prevent scorching and to reincorporate any separated cream. Adding a splash of additional cream or broth can freshen the texture if needed. Avoid microwaving at too high power to preserve the soup’s velvety texture.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of sausage for this soup?
Absolutely! While Oktoberfest sausage is delicious here, you can use Italian sausage, smoked sausage, or even a spicy kielbasa. Just choose a sausage that you enjoy eating on its own, as it heavily influences the final flavor.
Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian?
Definitely! Substitute the sausage with your favorite plant-based sausage or skip it entirely and add extra vegetables like mushrooms or potatoes. Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and use a dairy or plant-based cream alternative to keep it rich and creamy.
Why use caraway seeds in this recipe?
Caraway seeds enhance the cabbage’s natural flavors with their subtle anise-like and nutty taste. They are a traditional pairing with cabbage dishes and add an unexpected but delightful layer of complexity to this soup.
Can I prepare parts of this soup ahead of time?
Yes! You can chop your vegetables and even cook the sausage ahead of time. It’s also possible to sauté the veggies and sausage, then cool and refrigerate before finishing the soup on the stovetop when ready to serve.
How thick should the soup be in the end?
It should be creamy but not overly thick like a stew. The flour and cream help thicken the broth enough to coat the ingredients deliciously but still allow the soup to be spoonable and warm the soul.
Final Thoughts
It’s rare to find a soup that feels both wholesome and indulgent, but this Creamy Cabbage and Sausage Soup Recipe hits all the right notes. From its comforting warmth to the harmony of fresh vegetables and savory sausage folded into a silky cream base, it’s an absolute joy to make and share. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll want it on your table all year long—perfect for cozy family dinners or impressing friends with minimal fuss. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and let this delicious soup fill your kitchen with love.
Print
Creamy Cabbage and Sausage Soup Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: European
Description
A rich and comforting Creamy Cabbage Soup with savory sausage, cooked slowly on the stovetop to develop deep flavors. This hearty soup combines tender cabbage, aromatic vegetables, and a creamy broth, perfect for a cozy meal.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced finely
- 2 carrots, peeled, trimmed & diced finely
- 2 stalks celery, diced finely
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups green cabbage, shredded finely
Meat
- 10 oz sausage (Oktoberfest type preferred)
Liquids & Fats
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups 10% cream
Seasonings & Thickener
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed caraway seed
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 tablespoons flour
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook gently for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add Carrots, Celery, and Garlic: Stir in the diced carrots and celery, cooking for another 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook the Cabbage: Add the shredded green cabbage to the pot and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to combine and soften.
- Prepare and Add Sausage: Remove casing from sausage if tough, then finely dice it. Add the sausage pieces to the cabbage mixture and stir through.
- Season: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, crushed caraway seeds, and add the bay leaf to the pot. Stir well to distribute the seasonings.
- Simmer Soup: Pour in the chicken broth, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer gently for about 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
- Thicken and Add Cream: Remove the bay leaf. In a small bowl, shake or whisk the flour into the cream until the flour dissolves completely. Stir this mixture into the soup and heat through until the soup thickens slightly. Taste and adjust salt and pepper to your preference.
- Serve: Ladle the creamy cabbage and sausage soup into bowls and enjoy it warm.
Notes
- Use Oktoberfest sausage or similar flavorful sausage for best results. Removing the casing makes it easier to dice and incorporate.
- Caraway seeds add a traditional subtle flavor to cabbage; adjust quantity to taste.
- Using 10% cream balances creaminess without making the soup too heavy.
