Warm, hearty, and bursting with flavor, this crockpot potato and sausage soup is the perfect comfort food for any season. With a delightful mix of smoked sausage, potato, and cabbage, this soup is sure to become a family favorite. Let the crockpot do the work, and you'll have a delicious meal ready without much fuss.
Photos of Crockpot Potato and Sausage Soup Recipe
This recipe includes smoked sausage, cabbage, and cornstarch, which might not be staples in every household. When heading to the supermarket, make sure to get smoked sausage from the deli section, pick up a fresh cabbage from the produce aisle, and grab a small box of cornstarch from the baking section.
Ingredients For Crockpot Potato And Sausage Soup
Onion: Adds a savory, aromatic base to the soup
Butter: Used for sauteing and adding richness
Smoked sausage: Provides a smoky, hearty flavor
Garlic: Enhances the savory taste
Celery: Adds crunch and subtle earthy flavor
Carrot: Adds sweetness and color
Potato: The main starchy component, making the soup hearty
Cabbage: Adds a mild, sweet flavor and texture
Corn: Adds sweetness and a pop of color
Low sodium beef broth: Forms the base of the soup with a rich flavor
Water: Used to adjust the consistency
Tomato paste: Adds depth and richness
Bay leaf: Adds aromatic flavor
Basil: Adds a sweet, aromatic flavor
Oregano: Adds a warm, slightly bitter flavor
Dried dill: Adds a tangy, fresh flavor
Diced tomatoes: Adds acidity and texture
Cornstarch: Thickens the soup
One reader, Joly Barnhill says:
This crockpot potato and sausage soup is a hearty delight! The flavors meld beautifully, and the smoked sausage adds a wonderful depth. Perfect for a cozy dinner, it's easy to prepare and incredibly satisfying. Highly recommend!
Key Techniques for Crafting Crockpot Potato and Sausage Soup
Yes.
How to cook onion, butter, garlic, celery, and sausage in a frying pan: Heat a frying pan over medium heat, add butter until melted, then add chopped onion, minced garlic, sliced celery, and sliced sausage. Cook for about 5 minutes until the onion is tender.
How to use a crockpot: Add all ingredients except tomatoes and cornstarch to the crockpot. Set it to cook for 4 to 5 hours on high or 8 hours on low until the potatoes are tender.
How to stir in tomatoes and cornstarch: Add the diced tomatoes with their juices and mix the cornstarch with a small amount of water to create a slurry. Stir both into the crockpot and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
How to discard a bay leaf: Locate the bay leaf in the soup and remove it before serving.
How to season with salt and pepper: Taste the soup and add salt and pepper as needed to enhance the flavor.
How To Make Crockpot Potato and Sausage Soup
Fill your stomach with this hearty sausage soup. It’s cooked in beef broth with cabbage, celery, and potatoes, plus a handful of herb spices.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1onion,diced
- 1tbspbutter
- ¾lbsmoked sausage,sliced
- 3clovesgarlic,minced
- 1stalkcelery,chopped
- 1carrot,chopped
- 1large potato,peeled and diced
- 3cupscabbage,chopped
- 1¼cupcorn
- 4cupslow sodium beef broth
- 2cupswater
- 2tbsptomato paste
- 1bay leaf
- ½tspbasil
- ½tsporegano
- ¼tspdried dill
- 15ozdiced tomatoes,with juice
- 2tbspcornstarch
Instructions
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Cook onion, butter, garlic, celery, and sausage in a frying pan for about 5 minutes until onion is tender.
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Add all ingredients, except tomatoes and cornstarch, to the crockpot. Cook for 4 to 5 hours on High, or 8 hours on Low, or until potatoes are tender.
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Stir in tomatoes with juices and cornstarch and cook for 10 minutes more.
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Discard bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with sour cream if desired.
Nutrition
- Calories: 245.46kcal
- Fat: 12.68g
- Saturated Fat: 4.33g
- Trans Fat: 0.10g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 4.76g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.19g
- Carbohydrates: 23.32g
- Fiber: 4.13g
- Sugar: 6.84g
- Protein: 11.98g
- Cholesterol: 33.58mg
- Sodium: 670.10mg
- Calcium: 65.95mg
- Potassium: 874.25mg
- Iron: 1.98mg
- Vitamin A: 106.23µg
- Vitamin C: 32.59mg
Expert Tip for Enhancing Flavor in Crockpot Soups
When sautéing the onion, garlic, celery, and sausage in the butter, make sure to cut the sausage into even slices to ensure uniform cooking. This will help the flavors meld together more effectively and give a consistent texture throughout the soup.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Crockpot Soup Recipe
Prep ingredients ahead: Chop onion, garlic, celery, carrot, and potato the night before to save time in the morning.
Use pre-cooked sausage: Opt for pre-cooked smoked sausage to reduce cooking time in the frying pan.
Frozen corn: Use frozen corn instead of fresh to skip the shucking and cutting.
Cabbage shortcut: Buy pre-shredded cabbage to eliminate chopping.
Tomato paste hack: Use tomato paste from a tube to avoid opening a can and dealing with leftovers.
Substitute Ingredients For Crockpot Potato and Sausage Soup Recipe
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder flavor and can be used in place of onions for a subtler taste.
butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil provides a similar fat content and can enhance the flavor profile of the soup.
smoked sausage - Substitute with turkey sausage: Turkey sausage is a leaner option and can reduce the overall fat content of the soup.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used if fresh garlic is not available, though the flavor will be slightly less intense.
celery - Substitute with fennel: Fennel adds a slightly different but complementary flavor to the soup.
carrot - Substitute with parsnip: Parsnips have a similar texture and sweetness, making them a good alternative to carrots.
potato - Substitute with sweet potato: Sweet potatoes offer a different flavor and additional nutrients like beta-carotene.
cabbage - Substitute with kale: Kale provides a similar texture and adds a different nutritional profile to the soup.
corn - Substitute with peas: Peas can add a similar sweetness and texture to the soup.
low sodium beef broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can be used for a vegetarian option and provides a different but still rich flavor.
water - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth can add more depth of flavor compared to plain water.
tomato paste - Substitute with crushed tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes can provide a similar tomato flavor and thickness.
bay leaf - Substitute with thyme: Thyme offers a different but complementary herbal note to the soup.
basil - Substitute with thyme: Thyme can provide a similar herbal flavor profile.
oregano - Substitute with marjoram: Marjoram has a similar but slightly milder flavor compared to oregano.
dried dill - Substitute with fresh dill: Fresh dill can be used in place of dried dill, though you may need to use more to achieve the same flavor intensity.
diced tomatoes - Substitute with crushed tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes can provide a similar texture and flavor.
cornstarch - Substitute with arrowroot powder: Arrowroot powder can be used as a thickening agent similar to cornstarch.
Presentation Tips for Serving Potato and Sausage Soup
Serve smaller portion sizes: Present the potato and sausage soup in elegant, shallow bowls to highlight the vibrant colors and textures of the ingredients. A smaller portion allows for a more refined presentation.
Use decoration: Garnish with a delicate sprig of fresh dill and a small dollop of sour cream in the center. This adds a touch of elegance and a pop of color.
Layer textures: Ensure the cabbage, carrot, and corn are visible on the top layer of the soup. This creates visual interest and showcases the variety of ingredients.
Highlight the sausage: Slice the smoked sausage into uniform, bite-sized pieces and arrange them prominently in the bowl. This emphasizes the protein element of the dish.
Use high-quality dishware: Serve the soup in pristine, white porcelain bowls to contrast with the rich colors of the tomato paste and diced tomatoes. This enhances the visual appeal.
Add a touch of luxury: Drizzle a small amount of truffle oil or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan over the soup just before serving. This adds an element of sophistication and depth of flavor.
Create a balanced composition: Ensure that each bowl has an even distribution of potato, sausage, and vegetables. This not only looks appealing but also ensures a balanced taste in every bite.
Serve with a side: Accompany the soup with a slice of toasted artisan bread or a small breadstick on the side. This adds a complementary texture and completes the dish.
Finish with a flourish: Just before serving, add a light sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of sea salt. This final touch enhances the flavors and adds a professional finish.
Storage and Freezing Guidelines for Potato and Sausage Soup
Let the potato and sausage soup cool completely before storing or freezing. This will prevent condensation from forming and diluting the flavors.
For short-term storage, transfer the cooled soup to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to meld and develop over time.
When reheating refrigerated soup, bring it to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of beef broth or water if the soup has thickened too much.
To freeze the soup, transfer it to freezer-safe containers or resealable bags, leaving about an inch of headspace to allow for expansion. Label the containers with the date and contents.
Frozen potato and sausage soup can be stored for up to 3 months. Thaw the soup overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
When reheating frozen soup, place it in a saucepan and heat gently over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If the soup appears too thick, add a little beef broth or water to achieve the desired consistency.
For best results, avoid freezing the soup with any toppings like sour cream. Add these fresh when serving the reheated soup.
How To Reheat Leftover Potato and Sausage Soup
To reheat leftover crockpot potato and sausage soup, start by transferring the desired amount of soup from the refrigerator to a microwave-safe bowl. Cover the bowl with a damp paper towel or a microwave-safe lid, leaving a small gap for steam to escape. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the soup is heated through and steaming.
Alternatively, you can reheat the soup on the stovetop. Pour the desired amount of leftover soup into a saucepan and heat it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If the soup seems too thick, you can add a splash of beef broth or water to thin it out. Heat the soup until it reaches your desired temperature, being careful not to let it boil, as this may cause the potatoes to become mushy.
For a quick and easy reheating method, you can also use a slow cooker. Transfer the leftover soup to the slow cooker and set it to low heat. Cover and let the soup warm through for about 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. This method is particularly useful if you have a large amount of leftover soup and want to keep it warm for an extended period.
If you find that the sausage has become a bit soft after reheating, you can remove it from the soup and quickly sear it in a hot skillet to crisp up the edges before adding it back to the soup. This will help restore some of the texture and flavor of the sausage.
When reheating the soup, be sure to taste it and adjust the seasoning as needed. The flavors may have mellowed or intensified during storage, so you may need to add a pinch of salt, pepper, or other herbs and spices to bring the soup back to its original taste.
Interesting Trivia About Crockpot Potato and Sausage Soup
A fun fact about this crockpot potato and sausage soup recipe is that it incorporates cabbage, which is a nutrient-dense vegetable. Cabbage is rich in vitamins C and K, and it adds a subtle sweetness and crunch to the soup.
Budget-Friendly Benefits of Making This Crockpot Soup at Home
This crockpot potato and sausage soup is quite cost-effective. Using affordable ingredients like potatoes, cabbage, and smoked sausage, it provides a hearty meal without breaking the bank. The use of a crockpot also ensures minimal energy consumption. Overall Verdict: 8/10. Approximate cost for a household of 4 people: $12-$15.
Is This Crockpot Soup Healthy or Unhealthy?
This crockpot potato and sausage soup recipe has both healthy and unhealthy aspects. On the positive side, it includes nutritious ingredients like onion, garlic, celery, carrot, potato, and cabbage, which provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The use of low-sodium beef broth helps to reduce the overall salt content. However, the recipe also contains some less healthy components. Smoked sausage is often high in saturated fat and sodium, which can contribute to heart disease and high blood pressure when consumed in excess. The addition of butter and the absence of lean protein sources may also make the soup higher in fat than ideal.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Replace the smoked sausage with a leaner protein source, such as chicken or turkey sausage, or use a smaller amount of sausage and add more beans or lentils for protein
- Use olive oil instead of butter to sauté the vegetables, as it contains healthier unsaturated fats
- Increase the variety and quantity of vegetables in the soup, such as adding bell peppers, zucchini, or kale, to boost the nutrient content and fiber
- Opt for low-fat or non-fat sour cream as a topping, or replace it with plain Greek yogurt for a protein-rich alternative
- Experiment with different herbs and spices to add flavor without relying on salt, such as thyme, rosemary, or smoked paprika
Editor's Opinion on This Hearty Crockpot Soup
This crockpot potato and sausage soup recipe offers a hearty, comforting meal with a well-balanced mix of vegetables and smoked sausage. The use of low sodium beef broth and a variety of herbs ensures a flavorful yet health-conscious dish. The addition of tomato paste and diced tomatoes provides a rich depth of flavor. Cooking the ingredients in stages, especially sautéing the aromatics and sausage first, enhances the overall taste. The final touch of cornstarch thickens the soup nicely. This recipe is perfect for a cozy, satisfying dinner, especially when served with a dollop of sour cream.
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Why trust this Crockpot Potato and Sausage Soup Recipe:
This crockpot potato and sausage soup recipe is a must-try for its rich, comforting flavors and ease of preparation. The combination of smoked sausage, potatoes, and cabbage creates a hearty meal perfect for any season. With the convenience of a crockpot, you can set it and forget it, making it ideal for busy schedules. The addition of tomato paste and diced tomatoes adds a delightful tang, while the blend of herbs ensures a depth of flavor. Trust this recipe for a satisfying and effortless dining experience.
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