Hearty Sauerkraut, Bratwurst, and Potato Soup is a true culinary gem, offering a creamy, subtly tangy, and deeply satisfying experience. This robust soup is packed with tender vegetables, wholesome potatoes, savory bratwurst, and the unmistakable zest of sauerkraut. With deep roots in Eastern European culinary traditions, you’ll find countless delicious variations across the region. From the comforting bowls of German sauerkraut soup to the hearty stews known as Polish sauerkraut soup, and similar renditions in Russian and Ukrainian cuisine, this beloved dish transcends borders.
While some sauerkraut soup recipes embrace a rich, creamy broth, others feature a clear, lighter stock. However, they are all united by the essential combination of tangy sauerkraut and comforting potatoes, forming the backbone of these cherished regional specialties. This particular recipe delivers a lusciously creamy texture, ensuring a truly comforting meal.
Years ago, when I first shared this delightful Sauerkraut, Bratwurst, and Potato soup recipe on my blog, it was part of a larger project. I had reached out to fellow food bloggers, inviting them to contribute their favorite soup ideas for a post titled “Soup Supper Round-Up”. This particular recipe came from another blogger, and I must confess, I was immediately intrigued! For some, the combination of sauerkraut, bratwurst, and potatoes in a soup might sound a little unusual, perhaps even a bit bizarre.
Crafting Authentic Sauerkraut Soup with Bratwurst and Potatoes
Many traditional Polish and German sauerkraut soup recipes are characterized by their rich, creamy broth, and this recipe is no exception – it’s absolutely divine! For those new to sauerkraut, don’t let its distinct flavor intimidate you. In this soup, the sauerkraut’s natural tanginess is expertly mellowed by the starchy, comforting potatoes. Furthermore, the savory depth contributed by the bratwurst infuses the broth with an irresistible richness. This thoughtful balance of ingredients ensures that every spoonful offers a beautifully harmonious blend of flavors, where no single component overwhelms another. The result is a wonderfully robust and comforting meal, perfect for any occasion.
Essential Ingredients for a Traditional Sauerkraut Soup
To embark on your journey of making this hearty and flavorful soup, gather these key ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in creating the soup’s distinctive creamy texture and rich, tangy-savory balance.
- Chicken Stock: Forms the flavorful base of our soup. Using good quality stock is essential for a rich taste.
- Sauerkraut: The star ingredient! Its signature tang is indispensable. For an authentic flavor, I always recommend Frank’s Kraut.
- Kraut Juice: Drained from the sauerkraut and diluted with a bit of water, this juice boosts the soup’s authentic flavor and tang without being overpowering.
- Butter: Used to create a rich roux, providing a luxurious mouthfeel and depth of flavor.
- Flour: The thickening agent for our roux, ensuring a creamy, velvety consistency for the soup.
- Milk: Contributes to the soup’s creaminess, balancing the tang of the sauerkraut.
- Cream: Adds an extra layer of richness and indulgence, making the soup truly decadent.
Beyond the creamy base, fresh vegetables and savory meat are vital for a well-rounded and hearty soup:
- Potatoes: Peeled and cubed, they add comforting bulk and help to neutralize some of the sauerkraut’s tartness, creating a balanced flavor.
- Onion: Diced and sautéed, it provides an aromatic foundation for the soup.
- Celery: Adds a subtle earthy note and crisp texture when sautéed with the onion.
- Carrots: Sliced carrots bring a touch of sweetness and vibrant color, complementing the savory elements.
- Bratwurst: With casings removed, this German sausage provides a robust, savory flavor and hearty texture, making the soup a complete meal.
For the precise measurements and detailed instructions, please refer to the comprehensive printable recipe card located at the conclusion of this article.
Mastering the Art of Sauerkraut, Bratwurst & Potato Soup
Creating this comforting soup is a straightforward process, broken down into simple, manageable steps. Follow these instructions to bring a taste of Eastern European comfort into your kitchen.
Step One: Prepare Your Ingredients and Start the Broth. Begin by gathering all your vegetables and prepping them – chop the potatoes, dice the onions, slice the carrots, and prepare the celery. Importantly, remove the casings from your bratwurst before you start cooking. Next, drain your sauerkraut, making sure to reserve the flavorful juice. Combine this kraut juice with enough water to reach a total of 3 cups. In a large, sturdy soup pot, bring the chicken broth and your kraut juice mixture to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add the prepared carrots and potatoes, cover the pot, and allow them to cook until they reach your desired tenderness. This ensures the vegetables are perfectly cooked through before the other ingredients are added.
Step Two: Brown the Bratwurst. While your vegetables are simmering, take a separate skillet and crumble the bratwurst (with casings removed). Cook it over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until it achieves a beautiful golden-brown color. This browning step is crucial as it caramelizes the meat, unlocking deeper, more complex flavors that will enrich the entire soup. Once perfectly browned, remove the cooked bratwurst from the pan and set it aside, leaving any delicious rendered fat in the skillet.
Step Three: Sauté Aromatics and Combine Flavors. There’s no need to clean the skillet after cooking the bratwurst – those leftover bits and rendered fat are flavor gold! Add the diced onion and celery to the pan and sauté them for about 5 minutes, or until they become tender and fragrant. Now, add the drained sauerkraut to the pan, continuing to sauté it until it’s well-cooked and slightly caramelized, which enhances its sweetness and reduces its sharpness. Return the browned bratwurst to this kraut mixture, tossing to combine. Finally, carefully transfer this entire flavorful mixture into the simmering broth with the tender carrots and potatoes. Stir gently to integrate all the delicious components.
Step Four: Create the Creamy Roux and Finish the Soup. In a separate small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, gradually whisk in the flour to form a smooth, thick paste, known as a roux. Cook this roux for a minute or two, stirring constantly, to cook out the raw flour taste. Slowly, in a steady stream, add the milk and cream to the flour mixture, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Continue to cook this mixture over low heat, whisking until it thickens into a rich, smooth sauce. Once thickened, pour this creamy roux directly into your soup pot, stirring it thoroughly to combine. Allow the entire soup to simmer on low heat for another 10-15 minutes, or until it’s heated through and all the flavors have melded beautifully. Serve hot and savor every comforting spoonful!
This truly is a fantastic, hearty soup! It’s the quintessential dish for those chilly days when all you crave is something warm, comforting, and deeply satisfying to make you feel cozy from the inside out. Enjoy this delightful fusion of flavors and textures!
Love this Recipe? Pin it for Later!
Don’t let this incredible and comforting potato soup recipe slip away! Be sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board right now so you can easily find it whenever you’re ready to whip up a batch of this deliciousness. It’s a recipe you’ll want to revisit time and time again!
Sauerkraut Soup, Also Known as “Kapusniak” Soup: A Rich History
This delightful sauerkraut soup shares many similarities with my traditional Kapusniak recipe. The name itself, “Kapusniak,” is a testament to its Slavic origins, and you might encounter it spelled in various ways, such as “kapusnyak” or “kapustniak.” Just as there are many ways to spell it, there are countless regional variations in how this beloved soup is prepared. Kapusniak is more than just a soup; it’s a cherished heritage dish, deeply ingrained in Eastern European culture, traditionally served during the colder months.
The reason for its seasonal popularity is twofold. Firstly, any hot, hearty, and flavorful soup is naturally a welcome comfort on chilly days, offering warmth and sustenance. This goes without saying. Secondly, its origins are rooted in practicality. In times before modern refrigeration, sauerkraut, a staple ingredient, would typically reach its optimal pickle after the autumn harvest as the colder months truly set in. This perfect timing allowed it to be readily available as a key ingredient when it was most needed. Many of our most enduring culinary traditions were born out of necessity, serving as lifesavers during challenging times. When it comes to mealtime traditions like Kapusniak, this connection to history only adds to its charm and deliciousness.
Explore More Delightful Sauerkraut Recipes
My passion for sauerkraut extends far beyond just soup! My website is brimming with a multitude of creative and comforting sauerkraut recipes that highlight its incredible versatility. Whether you’re looking for a hearty main course, a flavorful side dish, or even a surprising dessert, you’re sure to find something new to love. Here are just a few other popular sauerkraut-infused dishes you’ll definitely want to try:
- Smoked Polish Sausage & Sauerkraut: A classic combination, perfect for a satisfying meal.
- Grilled Bratwurst Meatball Kabobs: An inventive way to enjoy the flavors of bratwurst and kraut in a fun, grill-friendly format.
- Everything Sauerkraut Bread: A uniquely flavorful bread, ideal for sandwiches or as a side.
- Kluski Kapusta Kiszona (Polish Noodles & Sauerkraut): Pictured above, this traditional dish features tender noodles and tangy sauerkraut, often fried in butter.
- Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup with Sauerkraut: A comforting twist on a classic, believed by many to cure what ails you!
- Sauerkraut Salad: A refreshing and tangy salad that’s a perfect accompaniment to rich meals.
- Sauerkraut Chocolate Cake: An unexpected yet surprisingly delicious dessert that showcases sauerkraut’s hidden versatility!
Are you a true enthusiast of sauerkraut? If so, then you absolutely must delve into the treasure trove of knowledge found in my Ultimate Guide to Sauerkraut! This comprehensive resource covers everything you could possibly want to know about this incredible fermented food. Discover its fascinating origins, learn the traditional methods of how it’s made, and explore the extensive health benefits that come from incorporating it into your daily diet. And of course, the guide is packed with tons of mouthwatering Sauerkraut recipes to inspire your next culinary creation. It’s your one-stop shop for all things kraut!
Without a doubt, my youngest son will enthusiastically declare that this is his absolute favorite soup recipe that I prepare! Its rich flavors and comforting warmth have made it a cherished dish in our home, enjoyed countless times over the years. I sincerely hope that you and your loved ones will find as much joy and comfort in this wonderful recipe for many years to come.
So, what are we waiting for? Let’s gather our ingredients and embark on the delightful journey of making some delicious sauerkraut potato soup, shall we? You won’t regret it! 
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Print Recipe
Creamy Sauerkraut, Bratwurst and Potato Soup
Essential Equipment
- Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet With Assist Handle, 10.25″, Black: Ideal for browning the bratwurst to perfection.
- 12-Piece Black Sharp Knife Set with Covers, Cutting Board and Sharpener: Essential for precise chopping and prepping of all your vegetables.
- Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. Classic Red Enamel Dutch Oven (Island Spice Red): Perfect for simmering the soup to allow flavors to meld beautifully.
- AmazonBasics Enameled Cast Iron Covered Dutch Oven, 6-Quart, Blue: An excellent alternative for slow cooking and maintaining even heat.
Ingredients
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups kraut juice + water to make 3 cups (We highly recommend Frank’s Kraut!)
- 3 potatoes peeled and cubed
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 4-5 stalks celery diced
- 2 cups sliced carrots
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups sauerkraut drained (Frank’s is truly the best for this recipe!)
- 5 bratwursts casings removed
Detailed Instructions
- Begin by draining your sauerkraut, making sure to reserve the flavorful juice. Add enough water to the kraut juice to achieve a total volume of 3 cups. In a large, sturdy soup pot, combine the chicken broth and this kraut/water mixture and bring it to a boil. Add the sliced carrots and cubed potatoes, then cover the pot and cook until the vegetables reach your desired tenderness.
- In a separate skillet, crumble and brown the bratwurst until it’s nicely browned and cooked through, developing a rich flavor.
- Remove the browned bratwurst from the pan and set it aside.
- Do not clean the pan after the bratwurst. Add the diced onion and celery to the pan and sauté them for approximately 5 minutes until they are softened and fragrant.
- Add the drained sauerkraut to the pan and continue sautéing until the sauerkraut is well-cooked and slightly caramelized, which enhances its flavor.
- Return the browned bratwurst to the sauerkraut mixture in the skillet, tossing to combine the flavors.
- Carefully add this savory bratwurst and kraut mixture to the simmering broth in the large soup pot.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low to medium heat. Once melted, gradually whisk in the flour to create a smooth roux, cooking for about 1-2 minutes to eliminate any raw flour taste.
- Slowly add the milk and heavy cream to the flour mixture in the saucepan, whisking constantly to ensure a smooth consistency.
- Continue to cook this creamy mixture on low heat, whisking frequently as it thickens to a luscious sauce.
- Finally, pour the thickened cream mixture into the main soup pot with the broth and other ingredients. Stir thoroughly to combine everything. Let the soup simmer on low until it is heated through and all the flavors have beautifully melded together. Serve hot and enjoy!
Helpful Notes
Nutrition Information (Estimated Per Serving)
This recipe was originally published on November 5, 2013. It has been thoroughly updated and re-shared on January 12, 2022, to enhance the user experience, improve clarity, and ensure it remains a beloved family favorite.
Original recipe inspiration from Simply Gourmet.