Cozy up with a bowl of this incredible Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup with Kraut & Kielbasa! This creamy, comforting, and wonderfully flavorful soup comes together quickly in your pressure cooker, making it perfect for any busy weeknight or a cozy weekend meal. Prepare for truly amazing flavors that will delight your taste buds.
Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup with Kraut & Kielbasa – sounds uniquely delicious, right? If you’re wondering where you’ve heard of this flavor combination, it’s probably because it’s a creation born from a lifelong love affair with sauerkraut! You might know that I believe sauerkraut can elevate almost any dish. And if you’re thinking, “but surely not dessert,” then I challenge you to explore my sensational Sauerkraut Chocolate Cake recipe. It truly is the BEST chocolate cake you’ll ever taste, and yes, it features sauerkraut!
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Have you jumped on the Instant Pot bandwagon yet? Perhaps you received one for Christmas, or maybe you’re considering adding this versatile appliance to your kitchen arsenal. These electric pressure cookers have truly revolutionized home cooking, much like crockpots did decades ago. They’re quickly becoming a staple in every modern kitchen, and for good reason!
I still recall my mother’s “old fashioned” pressure cooker, tucked away in our pantry. She used it constantly when I was a child, but I always approached it with a healthy dose of fear, warned against running or stomping near it, convinced it might just be the end of me. Fast forward to today, and the new generation of Instant Pots are incredibly safe, user-friendly, and deliver amazing results. Their convenience is unmatched, allowing you to whip up dishes that traditionally take hours in a fraction of the time, all while locking in incredible flavor and nutrients.
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I’ve experimented with a variety of dishes in my Instant Pot, from a classic Mississippi Pot Roast to these incredibly satisfying Twisted Meatball Subs. However, one of my absolute favorite things to prepare in it is soup. Recently, I’ve created creamy Loaded Potato Soup and a rich New England Clam Chowder, both showcasing how the Instant Pot dramatically reduces cooking time while developing flavors so deep, it feels like they’ve simmered on the stove for hours. This Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup with Kraut & Kielbasa is no exception. It’s surprisingly simple to make, yet bursting with rich, savory flavors that will make it an instant family favorite.
Key Ingredients for Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup with Kraut & Kielbasa:
Crafting this hearty and flavorful soup requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients that work in harmony to create its distinctive taste profile:
- Frank’s Kraut: The star ingredient, offering a tangy counterpoint to the rich cheese and beer.
- Smoked Polska Kielbasa: Adds a savory, smoky depth and satisfying texture.
- Fresh Carrots and Onions: Building the aromatic foundation of the soup.
- Chicken Stock and Light Beer: The liquid base, providing savory notes and a subtle malty flavor from the beer.
- Flour, Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Garlic Salt: For thickening and seasoning, delivering a gentle warmth and aromatic kick.
- Half & Half and Butter: Essential for achieving that luxurious, creamy texture.
- Muenster and Mild Cheddar Cheese: A blend chosen for its excellent melting properties and balanced, mellow flavor.
When it comes to preparing the ingredients, precision and quality make a difference. Begin by thinly slicing your smoked Polska kielbasa. Since this type of kielbasa is typically pre-cooked, adding it towards the end of the cooking process ensures it heats through perfectly without overcooking. For the vegetables, I used pre-shredded carrots, which worked beautifully for convenience and texture, but dicing them would also be an excellent option. Freshly chopped yellow onion provides a sweet and pungent base. And, of course, the irreplaceable star of the show: Frank’s Kraut. Its quality and balanced tang are crucial to the soup’s unique profile.
The choice of cheese and beer plays a pivotal role in defining the soup’s flavor. I opted for a blend of mild cheddar and Muenster cheese, paired with a light beer, to achieve a beautifully balanced and mellow flavor profile. This combination results in a creamy, approachable soup that appeals to a wide range of palates. However, if you’re seeking a more intense, robust flavor, consider using a sharp cheddar or even an aged Gruyère, and pair it with a stout or a darker ale. A pro tip for achieving the smoothest, most luxurious cheese soup: always shred your own cheese from a block. Pre-shredded bagged cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can hinder smooth melting, leading to a grainy texture. Freshly shredded cheese melts seamlessly, integrating perfectly into the soup to create that irresistible creamy consistency.
Crafting Your Beer Cheese Soup: Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s how to bring this comforting Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup with Kraut & Kielbasa to life, effortlessly and efficiently:
- Set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” setting. Add the butter and allow it to melt completely.
- Once the butter has melted, add the diced onion and shredded carrot to the pot. Sauté for approximately 4 minutes, stirring occasionally until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Next, incorporate the Frank’s Kraut into the pot and continue to sauté for an additional couple of minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld and the kraut to slightly tenderize.
- Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables and kraut. Mix thoroughly, ensuring all the ingredients are coated with the flour and no clumps remain. This will create the roux, which thickens the soup.
- Pour in the chicken stock and the light beer, stirring well to combine everything. Season the mixture with garlic salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper, then give it another good stir.
- Secure the Instant Pot lid, making sure the sealing knob is set to the “Sealing” position. Set the pot to Manual (or Pressure Cook) mode and set the timer for 5 minutes.
- Once the Instant Pot beeps to signal that cooking is complete, CAREFULLY perform a quick release of the steam. Once all the steam has been released and the float valve drops, unlock and remove the lid.
- Using an immersion blender, blend the vegetables directly in the pot until the soup reaches your desired smooth consistency.
- Gradually mix in the shredded cheddar and Muenster cheeses, stirring continuously until the cheese has completely melted and the soup is smooth and creamy.
- Finally, pour in the Half & Half and stir to combine. Add the sliced Polska Kielbasa to the soup. You can leave the Instant Pot on the “Keep Warm” setting until you’re ready to serve. The flavor of the sausage will further infuse into the soup as it warms, enhancing its overall depth. In fact, many find this soup to be even more delicious the next day as the flavors have had more time to meld!
The beauty of this soup is that its flavors deepen with time. The smoky kielbasa continues to release its delicious essence into the creamy broth as it rests, making it truly phenomenal the next day. This makes it an ideal dish for meal prepping or entertaining, as you can prepare it in advance and simply reheat.
Serving Suggestions & Delicious Toppings
Elevate your Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup experience with these delightful serving suggestions and toppings:
- **Fresh Scallions:** A sprinkle of thinly sliced green onions adds a vibrant burst of freshness and a mild oniony crunch that beautifully complements the rich, savory soup.
- **More Frank’s Kraut:** For those who truly appreciate the tangy kick, a spoonful of fresh Frank’s Kraut on top adds an extra layer of authentic flavor and texture.
- **Caraway Seeds:** A light sprinkling of caraway seeds brings an earthy, slightly anise-like warmth that pairs perfectly with both sauerkraut and kielbasa.
Speaking of caraway seeds, I confess, I used to despise them as a child! It wasn’t until I discovered the sheer amazingness of an Everything Bagel later in life that I started to appreciate their unique flavor. Now, I’m obsessed with Everything Bagel Spice and sprinkle it on everything from salads to, you guessed it, my Everything Bagel Dip!
Understanding Caraway Seeds: A Culinary Gem
For those curious about this distinctive spice, here’s a quick overview, courtesy of The Kitchn:
Taste Profile: Sweet, distinctly earthy, with subtle notes of anise.
Common Culinary Uses: Exceptionally popular in breads (especially rye), savory soups, rich sauces, and roasted vegetables.
Caraway plants are fascinating members of the carrot family, closely related to both coriander and cumin. Originating in central Europe, their cultivation and use quickly spread across the continent, through the Middle East, and into the Mediterranean regions. Interestingly, both the roots and the seeds of the caraway plant are edible. Should you ever come across caraway roots, they can be prepared and cooked much like carrots, offering a delightful and unexpected culinary treat.
The seeds themselves are highly aromatic, possessing a powerful and unmistakable earthy-anise flavor. Despite their tiny size, they pack a significant flavor punch, which is why most recipes call for a teaspoon or less. Their warm, peppery notes perfectly complement traditional German and Eastern European dishes, making them a natural fit for our Beer Cheese Soup with Kraut and Kielbasa.
We love serving this Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup piping hot with a generous slice or two of crusty bread. Its thick, creamy consistency makes it the perfect soup for dunking. And, for an authentic pairing that enhances the German-inspired flavors of the soup, a hearty slice of fresh rye bread would be an absolutely amazing addition to this Instapot Beer Cheese Soup!
The Magic of Frank’s Kraut
Frank’s Kraut is a brand synonymous with quality sauerkraut, available in convenient cans, jars, and poly bags. Personally, I find the poly bags to be the most versatile. When I purchase the two-pound poly bags, I often buy extra and simply pop them into the freezer. This ensures I always have a supply of fresh, tangy sauerkraut on hand. Once defrosted, I use the amount I need for a recipe, then transfer any remaining sauerkraut into a mason jar to store in the fridge, maintaining its freshness for future culinary adventures.
Discover More Delicious Sauerkraut Recipes!
My passion for sauerkraut knows no bounds! Explore a vast collection of creative and comforting dishes featuring this incredible ingredient by clicking here: SEE ALL OF MY SAUERKRAUT RECIPES HERE!
I highly encourage you to visit the official Frank’s Kraut website. There, you can discover where to purchase what I consider to be the best sauerkraut on the planet, and delve into the numerous wonderful health benefits of incorporating this fermented superfood into your daily diet. From gut health to immune support, sauerkraut is a powerhouse ingredient that’s both delicious and nutritious.
Stay connected with Frank’s Kraut and gain access to a treasure trove of fantastic recipes by following them on social media:
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Sauerkraut truly makes a wonderful and unexpected addition to many types of soups, adding a delightful tang and a unique depth of flavor that can transform an ordinary dish into something extraordinary. Here are some of my other favorite sauerkraut soup recipes you might enjoy:
Grandma always said chicken noodle soup helps with colds, but imagine boosting its healing power with a true superfood like sauerkraut! This recipe combines the comforting classic with tons of nutritional value and mind-boggling healing properties. (Click the photo for the full recipe!)
Indulge in a creamy, subtly tangy soup brimming with wholesome veggies, tender potatoes, savory bratwurst, and, of course, delicious sauerkraut. This hearty soup is a meal in itself. (Click the photo to grab the recipe!)
If you adore the classic Reuben sandwich, you are guaranteed to fall in love with this rich and creamy soup rendition of the popular deli favorite! It captures all the iconic flavors in a warm, comforting bowl. (Click the photo for one of my most popular recipes!)
Now that you have all the tips and tricks, it’s time to gather your ingredients and make some truly unforgettable Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup with Kraut & Kielbasa! You won’t regret diving into this bowl of rich, savory, and tangy comfort.
Curious to learn even more about this amazing ingredient? Dive deep into everything you ever wanted to know about kraut—where it comes from, how it’s made, its incredible health benefits, and a plethora of innovative recipes—in this comprehensive Ultimate Guide to Sauerkraut.
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Print Recipe
Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup with Kraut & Kielbasa
This Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup with Kraut & Kielbasa is creamy, comforting and quick to make in your pressure cooker. Truly amazing flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
- 1/3 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup yellow onion (diced, 1 small onion)
- 1/2 cup Frank’s Kraut
- 1/2 cup flour
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 1 12 ounce light beer
- Freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 8 ounce block mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 8 ounce block Muenster cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Half & Half
- 1 14 ounce package of Smoked Polska Kielbasa, sliced
Instructions
- Set Instant Pot to “sauté” setting, and add in butter.
- When butter melts add in onion and carrot. Sauté for about 4 minutes. Add in kraut and sauté for a couple of minutes more.
- Add the flour to the pot and mix into the veggies and kraut until they are coated. Make sure there are no clumps.
- Add in chicken stock and the beer. Add in garlic salt, cayenne pepper and black pepper. Stir.
- Secure the lid and make sure knob is set to the “sealing” position. Set the pot to manual and the timer for 5 minutes. When the pot beeps that it is done, CAREFULLY release the steam. When steam is released, unlock the lid and remove it.
- Using a hand blender, blend veggies until smooth.
- Gradually mix in the shredded cheese until smooth. Pour in Half & Half, stir. Add in Polska Kielbasa. Leave set to keep warm until ready to eat. The flavor of the sausage will come through as it warms.
- Serve topped with either green onions, OR more sauerkraut. Caraway seeds are a nice addition, too!
Nutrition
Calories: 536kcal |
Carbohydrates: 23g |
Protein: 18g |
Fat: 40g |
Saturated Fat: 18g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 20g |
Cholesterol: 103mg |
Sodium: 1364mg |
Fiber: 2g |
Sugar: 7g