🎉 Introduction
If you’re craving a warm, hearty, deeply comforting soup that feels like a cozy hug on a cold day, this Kielbasa Potato Soup is exactly what you need. Traditionally made with pork kielbasa, we’re giving it a healthier, pork-free twist by using beef kielbasa or chicken sausage, and the flavor is still absolutely incredible.
This soup is creamy, savory, smoky, and loaded with tender potatoes, aromatic vegetables, rich broth, and slices of perfectly browned sausage. It’s easy to prepare, ideal for weeknight dinners, and satisfying enough to feed a crowd. Every bite delivers layers of flavor: sautéed onions, garlic, herbs, creamy broth, and soft potatoes that melt into the soup as they cook.
Perfect for:
- Winter dinners
- Cozy family meals
- One-pot cooking
- Meal prep
- Comfort-food lovers
- High-traffic Pinterest posts
Let’s make a soup that’s thick, hearty, smoky, creamy, and unforgettable.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Wooden spoon
- Ladle
- Measuring cups & spoons
🛒 Ingredients
(No pork — kielbasa replaced with beef or chicken sausage.)
Meat
- 14 oz Beef kielbasa or chicken sausage, sliced
Vegetables
- 4 medium potatoes, diced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Dairy (optional for creaminess)
- 1 cup heavy cream or whole milk
Broth & Liquids
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup water
Oils
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Seasonings
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 bay leaf
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Brown the Sausage
Heat olive oil in a large pot.
Add sliced beef kielbasa or chicken sausage.
Sauté 4–5 minutes until lightly browned.
Remove sausage and set aside.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
In the same pot add:
- Onion
- Carrots
- Celery
Sauté 5–7 minutes until softened.
Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Add Potatoes & Spices
Add diced potatoes.
Season with:
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Thyme
- Bay leaf
Stir to coat.
Step 4: Add Broth & Simmer
Pour in:
- Chicken broth
- Water
Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer 15–18 minutes until potatoes are soft.
Step 5: Make it Creamy
Remove bay leaf.
Add:
- Heavy cream or whole milk
Stir gently — do not boil after adding dairy.
Step 6: Return Sausage to Soup
Add the browned beef kielbasa or chicken sausage back into the pot.
Simmer 3–5 minutes.
Taste and adjust seasoning.
Step 7: Finish & Serve
Stir in fresh parsley.
Serve hot with:
- Crusty bread
- Toast
- Garlic butter rolls
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 5–6 bowls
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Total Time: 40–45 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Keeps 3–4 days.
Reheating
Warm on stove or microwave.
Add extra broth if soup thickens.
Freezer
Freeze up to 2 months WITHOUT dairy.
Add cream only after thawing.
🥄 Variations
1. Creamy Cheddar Version
Add ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese.
2. Veggie-Loaded Soup
Add peas, corn, spinach, or kale.
3. Spicy Version
Add red pepper flakes or spicy beef sausage.
4. Thick & Hearty
Mash some potatoes directly in the pot.
5. Healthy Light Version
Use chicken sausage + milk instead of cream.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Is this recipe pork-free?
Yes — made with beef kielbasa or chicken sausage.
2. Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes — use coconut milk or skip the cream.
3. Can I make it thicker?
Mash a few potatoes or add 1 tbsp cornstarch slurry.
4. What potatoes are best?
Yukon gold or russets work great.
5. Can I use turkey sausage?
Yes — perfect substitute.
6. Can I make it spicy?
Add smoked paprika + chili flakes.
7. Why did my soup get too thick?
Potatoes naturally thicken — add broth to adjust.
8. Can I slow cook this?
Yes — 6 hours on low, add cream at end.
9. Can I prep it ahead?
Yes — reheats beautifully.
10. What sides pair well with it?
Bread, salad, rice, roasted vegetables.
🏁 Conclusion
This Kielbasa Potato Soup is pure comfort in a bowl — smoky, creamy, hearty, and full of warm flavors. With beef kielbasa or chicken sausage, it stays delicious while remaining pork-free, making it perfect for your dietary rules. The tender potatoes, sautéed aromatics, and rich broth make this soup feel like a cozy winter evening, no matter what season it is.
It’s easy, wholesome, budget-friendly, and guaranteed to become a favorite in your house — and for your audience. Whether you’re feeding family, meal prepping for the week, or preparing a warm dinner after a long day, this soup delivers comfort and flavor every time.
Warm, hearty, creamy, and smoky — the ultimate comfort soup.

Kielbasa Potato Soup (Made with Beef Kielbasa or Chicken Sausage)
Method
- Heat olive oil in a large pot.
- Add sliced beef kielbasa or chicken sausage.
- Sauté 4–5 minutes until lightly browned.
- Remove sausage and set aside.
- In the same pot add:
- Onion
- Carrots
- Celery
- Sauté 5–7 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add diced potatoes.
- Season with:
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Thyme
- Bay leaf
- Stir to coat.
- Pour in:
- Chicken broth
- Water
- Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer 15–18 minutes until potatoes are soft.
- Remove bay leaf.
- Add:
- Heavy cream or whole milk
- Stir gently — do not boil after adding dairy.
- Add the browned beef kielbasa or chicken sausage back into the pot.
- Simmer 3–5 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Stir in fresh parsley.
- Serve hot with:
- Crusty bread
- Toast
- Garlic butter rolls
Notes
Refrigerator Keeps 3–4 days. Reheating Warm on stove or microwave.
Add extra broth if soup thickens. Freezer Freeze up to 2 months WITHOUT dairy.
Add cream only after thawing. 🥄 Variations
1. Creamy Cheddar Version Add ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese. 2. Veggie-Loaded Soup Add peas, corn, spinach, or kale. 3. Spicy Version Add red pepper flakes or spicy beef sausage. 4. Thick & Hearty Mash some potatoes directly in the pot. 5. Healthy Light Version Use chicken sausage + milk instead of cream. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. Is this recipe pork-free? Yes — made with beef kielbasa or chicken sausage. 2. Can I make it dairy-free? Yes — use coconut milk or skip the cream. 3. Can I make it thicker? Mash a few potatoes or add 1 tbsp cornstarch slurry. 4. What potatoes are best? Yukon gold or russets work great. 5. Can I use turkey sausage? Yes — perfect substitute. 6. Can I make it spicy? Add smoked paprika + chili flakes. 7. Why did my soup get too thick? Potatoes naturally thicken — add broth to adjust. 8. Can I slow cook this? Yes — 6 hours on low, add cream at end. 9. Can I prep it ahead? Yes — reheats beautifully. 10. What sides pair well with it? Bread, salad, rice, roasted vegetables. 🏁 Conclusion This Kielbasa Potato Soup is pure comfort in a bowl — smoky, creamy, hearty, and full of warm flavors. With beef kielbasa or chicken sausage, it stays delicious while remaining pork-free, making it perfect for your dietary rules. The tender potatoes, sautéed aromatics, and rich broth make this soup feel like a cozy winter evening, no matter what season it is. It’s easy, wholesome, budget-friendly, and guaranteed to become a favorite in your house — and for your audience. Whether you’re feeding family, meal prepping for the week, or preparing a warm dinner after a long day, this soup delivers comfort and flavor every time. Warm, hearty, creamy, and smoky — the ultimate comfort soup.
