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One Pot Kielbasa and Cabbage Soup – Easy 30-Minute Meal

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A quick and hearty soup made with smoky kielbasa, tender cabbage, and a savory broth. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pot meal comes together in under 30 minutes using simple, budget-friendly ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound kielbasa sausage, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bag (14-16 ounces) coleslaw mix (or 4–5 cups shredded cabbage and 1 cup shredded carrots)
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add sliced kielbasa in a single layer (work in batches if needed) and cook without moving for 3-4 minutes until deeply browned. Flip and cook another 2-3 minutes. Transfer browned sausage to a plate and set aside.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add the entire bag of coleslaw mix and the can of diced tomatoes with their juices. Stir together and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage starts to wilt.
  4. Pour in chicken broth, smoked paprika, dried thyme, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes until cabbage is tender but still has a little bite.
  5. Return the browned kielbasa to the pot. Stir and let simmer for another 5 minutes to meld flavors. Taste and add salt if needed.
  6. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot with crusty bread.

Notes

For a thicker broth, mash some cooked cabbage against the side of the pot before adding kielbasa back. The soup tastes even better the next day. If using coleslaw mix with carrots, the carrots add subtle sweetness. To keep kielbasa tender, add it at the end rather than simmering for the full time.

Nutrition

Keywords: kielbasa cabbage soup, one pot soup, easy weeknight dinner, 30 minute meal, cabbage soup, kielbasa recipe, budget friendly dinner

Find it online: https://lindabake.com/one-pot-kielbasa-and-cabbage-soup-easy-30-minute-meal/