Polish cabbage soup is a common dish in most polish families prepared mostly during winter. It’s a traditional soup believed to help people lose about 10 pounds a week. If you are looking for a healthy and filling soup to prepare, this is perfect.
Polish cabbage soup is easy and fast to prepare. It requires simple and few ingredients, thus making it ideal for a quick fix. You’ll need enough sausages, cabbage, peppercorns and water/ broth as the basic ingredients to get this flavorful vitamin rich soup at your dinner table.
Preparation for polish cabbage soup
- Cuisine: Polish
- Course: Breakfast
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 1hr 40 minutes
- Wait time: 2 hours
- Yield: 8 servings
- Calories: 45 kcal
Ingredients
- 16 pieces or 500 grams of smoked sausage
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 whole peppercorns
- 6 allspice berries
- 2 liters of stock/water
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 stick parsley root
- 3 stalks of celery or ¼ of diced celery root
- ½ head of chopped medium-sized cabbage head
- 400 grams can of tomatoes or 4 large fresh tomatoes or 4 tablespoons of tomato paste
- Salt
Instructions
- Dice your sausages and put them in a soup pot. Sear until the edges become golden brown. Add the chopped onion, allspice berries, bay leaves and peppercorns.
- Sauté until the onions are cooked/transparent.
- Add the stock/water, celery, carrots, and enough salt. The amount of salt to use differs depending on whether you use stock or water.
- Simmer on low heat until the vegetables are soft, usually for about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, chop the cabbage as they continue to simmer. Once the vegetables are soft, add the cabbage and the tomatoes or paste. Keep cooking for another 5 to 10 minutes or until the cabbage softens to your preference.
- Avoid overcooking the cabbage if you like it a little bit crunchy. Taste and add salt if necessary. Remove from heat and serve
Recipe substitutions
- Some recipes may add potatoes. Add them too if you want.
- You can add or reduce the amount of cabbage and sausages per your needs. You can adjust after you have cooked once or twice to suit your taste buds.
- You can season the soup with paprika and marjoram if you like. The two go well in this soup.
Tips for the best polish cabbage soup
- This polish cabbage soup is perfect when you want a gluten-free meal. Use the ingredients as per instructions to achieve this.
- Young cabbage cooks faster than old cabbage. The old one is usually white, while a young one is green and softer. Adjust cooking time according to the one you use.
- Add a little potato starch for an extra thicker soup, ideally 2-4 tablespoons.
- You can add a tablespoon of pork lard for a richer flavor.
- The soup tastes great if served with toasted bread. You can enjoy it on its own or with your favorite accompaniment.
FAQs about Polish Cabbage Soup
Here are some of the questions people usually ask in regards to Polish cabbage soup:
What other veggies can one add to the polish cabbage soup?
The most commonly used veggies in polish cabbage soup include carrots, celeriac, green peas, or any other root veggies you like. You can experiment with different types of veggies as you advance your cooking.
Which sausages are ideal for preparing polish cabbage soup?
While there is no specific type of sausage for this soup, we recommend getting a high-quality smoked sausage brand of your choice. A poor-quality brand may compromise the results and even the taste of your soup.
How long can one store the polish cabbage soup?
Polish cabbage soup seems to taste better even after long storage. Store it in airtight jars and let them stay in the refrigerator for about a week or you can keep them in frozen state for even up to 4 months. Reheat when ready to serve.
Nutritional Information
- Calories: 45 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 10 grams
- Protein: 3 grams
- Fat: 1 gram
- Cholesterol: 1mg
- Potassium: 274 mg
- Fiber: 4 grams
- Sugar: 5 grams
- Vitamin A: 2660 IU
- Vitamin C: 44mg
- Calcium: 58mg
- Iron: 0.6mg
Conclusion
Polish cabbage soup is a staple in most polish homes during the cold season. Its popularity of being rich in vitamins and antioxidants has seen it rise to become a global recipe loved by many. If you haven’t tried it, follow our guide for the best results. You can even prepare ahead of time and reheat when needed.
