Slow Cooker Sausage, Cabbage & Carrot Soup

Slow Cooker Sausage, Cabbage & Carrot Soup

A cozy, hearty soup made with savory sausage, tender cabbage, sweet carrots, and flavorful broth. Everything simmers slowly together until the vegetables are perfectly tender and the sausage infuses the broth with delicious flavor. It’s an easy one-pot comfort meal that’s perfect for a chilly evening or a busy weeknight!

🛒 Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced
• ½ large head green cabbage, chopped
• 3 large carrots, sliced
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt, or to taste
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

🍲 Instructions

1. Prepare the sausage:
   Slice the sausage into bite-sized rounds. For extra flavor, quickly brown it in a skillet with olive oil for 3–4 minutes. This step is optional but adds a delicious caramelized flavor.
2. Add the vegetables:
   Place the chopped cabbage, carrots, potatoes, onion, and garlic into the slow cooker.
3. Add sausage and seasonings:
   Add the sliced sausage, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and bay leaf.
4. Pour in the broth:
   Add the chicken or vegetable broth and gently stir everything together.
5. Slow cook:
   Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the cabbage, carrots, and potatoes are tender.
6. Final touch:
   Remove the bay leaf and taste the soup. Adjust the salt and pepper if needed.
7. Serve:
   Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve hot with crusty bread if desired.

💡 Pro Tips

• Use smoked kielbasa for a deeper, smoky flavor.
• Don’t overcrowd the slow cooker with cabbage; it will shrink considerably as it cooks.
• For a lighter soup, use chicken sausage or turkey sausage.
• Want more heat? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• For a thicker, heartier soup, add an extra potato.

❤️ Why You’ll Love It

✔️ Easy slow-cooker meal
✔️ Budget-friendly ingredients
✔️ Hearty and filling
✔️ Perfect for meal prep
✔️ Packed with tender vegetables
✔️ Great family comfort food