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Cozy Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Cabbage Soup – Easy One-Pot Meal

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A deeply comforting, no-fuss slow cooker soup made with kielbasa, cabbage, potatoes, and carrots. Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends, this budget-friendly meal fills your home with a warm, smoky aroma and delivers a hearty, satisfying bowl every time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound kielbasa sausage, sliced into ½-inch rounds
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups green cabbage, chopped (about 1 medium head)
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 3 celery stalks, sliced
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into ½-inch cubes
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Brown the Kielbasa: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced kielbasa in a single layer (you may need to do this in two batches). Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until nicely browned. Transfer the browned sausage to the slow cooker using a slotted spoon.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: In the same skillet (with all those tasty brown bits still in it), add the diced onion. Cook for 4-5 minutes, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for just 30 seconds until fragrant. Transfer the onion and garlic to the slow cooker.
  3. Layer the Vegetables: Add the chopped cabbage, sliced carrots, and sliced celery to the slow cooker on top of the sausage and onions. Don’t stir yet—layering helps everything cook evenly.
  4. Add the Potatoes and Seasonings: Add the diced Yukon Gold potatoes on top of the other vegetables. Sprinkle the dried thyme, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt over everything. Tuck the bay leaf into the mixture.
  5. Pour in the Liquid: Pour the chicken broth and water over the vegetables and sausage. The liquid should just about cover all the ingredients. If it doesn’t quite cover everything, don’t worry—the cabbage will release moisture as it cooks.
  6. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. You’ll know it’s done when the cabbage is tender and the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.
  7. Finish with Vinegar: About 10 minutes before serving, remove the bay leaf and stir in the apple cider vinegar. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
  8. Serve: Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if you like. Serve with crusty bread or a simple side salad for a complete meal.

Notes

Don’t skip browning the kielbasa and onions—it adds deep flavor. Add the apple cider vinegar at the end to brighten the soup. For a thicker stew, reduce water to 1 cup and add extra potatoes. Leftovers taste even better the next day. Freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker kielbasa cabbage soup, kielbasa soup, cabbage soup, slow cooker soup, one-pot meal, comfort food, easy soup recipe, budget-friendly soup, hearty soup, winter soup

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/cozy-slow-cooker-kielbasa-and-cabbage-soup-easy-one-pot-meal/