Today, let’s dive into the delectable dish known as Kapusniak, or Polish Cabbage Soup, a savory combination of broth and vegetables sure to tantalize your taste buds!
Low in carbs, low in calories, low in fat, and high in flavor, this rustic soup is simple to make any time of the year. Enjoy with pita chips, Soda Bread, or our 3-Ingredient Bagels.
What is Kapusniak?
Kapusniak is a peasant cabbage soup common to Russia, Poland, Ukraine, and Slovakia. Known by a several names Kapusniak, Kapusta, or Kapustnica the universal debate is whether to use fresh cabbage, sauerkraut, or both. You'll see this difference between one Kapusniak recipe to another. So, it's basically whatever you prefer.
The sauerkraut makes a more sour soup, with fresh cabbage giving you a soup similar to a Low Carb cabbage or Keto cabbage soup recipe.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This simple vegetable soup is easy to make, using year round staple vegetables like carrot, onion, tomato, and cabbage. Kapusniak is the basis of many cabbage soup recipes like the Weight Watchers Zero Point soup or Cabbage Fat Burning soup recipes.
Whether you are looking for a detox soup to start the New Year off, or just a hearty and filling soup to serve with sandwiches, you will love the flavor and simplicity of this Polish cabbage soup.
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Ingredients
You probably already have all the main ingredients to make this Kapusniak recipe. You can include the sauerkraut or leave it out. Kapusniak is a soup based on what's available. When fresh cabbage is not available, sauerkraut is used.
- Cabbage - fresh and shredded or chopped.
- Carrots - diced.
- Onion - diced.
- Celery - diced.
- Garlic - minced or grated.
- Olive oil - or any oil or butter.
- Tomatoes - fresh chopped or canned.
- Broth - vegetable or chicken, as preferred.
- Water
- Bay Leaf
- Allspice berries - whole, or ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice.
- Salt - to taste.
- Pepper - to taste.
- OPTIONAL: Sauerkraut - adds a slightly sour tang to the soup broth.
- Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Kapusniak
The only skill set you need is chopping and dicing. Kapusniak, or any cabbage soup recipe, is a one pot dish. You can have this robust, rustic soup prepared and ready to serve in about 40 minutes.
Step 1. Saute Onion and Garlic
Heat the olive oil in a large 4 quart Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the onions and saute for 1 to 2 minutes.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 2. Add Carrots and Celery
Add the diced carrots and celery and continue to saute for another 3 to 4 minutes.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 3. Stir in Tomatoes and Cabbage
Add in the shredded cabbage and chopped tomatoes. If you are using whole canned tomatoes, cut them up before adding.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 4. Add the Broth and Seasoning
Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth, water, bay leaf, and allspice berries. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If you are opting to add the sauerkraut, now is the time to do so. Bring the soup pot to a boil, and then simmer for 30 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley, serve & enjoy!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Kapusniak Polish Cabbage soup with sandwiches or anything you like. This is a winter warming soup that you can feel guilt free about having second servings!
Be sure to try our Grinder Sandwich, Sourdough Grilled Cheese sandwich, or our Keto BLT'S, and Chicken Salad Wraps. Any would be a perfect match up to this rustic Polish Cabbage soup.
And if you love Polish food, be sure to try our Fat Tuesday Paczki - (Polish Donuts).
Looking for more hearty soups? See our Instant Pot Navy Bean Soup, Hungarian Lentil Soup, and Instant Pot Creamy Tortellini Soup.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Substitutions
You can substitute a can of tomatoes for the fresh tomatoes. Drain them, cut, and then drain excess liquid off again. If you want this to be a vegan or vegetarian cabbage soup, be sure to use vegetable broth.
You can also make this in a crockpot with the setting on high for 4 hours.
Variations
You can vary this Polish cabbage soup recipe simply by adding a few different spices such as 1 teaspoon Cajun spice, or 1 teaspoon of Fennel Seeds, or 1 teaspoon Caraway seeds. You can also add meats such as kielbasa, chicken, beef short ribs, and even hamburger.
- Cabbage and Sausage Soup - When your soup is simmering, add a 1 lb Kielbasa sausage, sliced, into the soup pot.
- Keto Cabbage Soup - Omit the tomatoes and replace with a 8 oz of sauerkraut.
- Chicken Cabbage Soup - Use chicken broth, and chop up two chicken breasts into cubes. Add to the pot when sauteing the onions and vegetables.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this dish.
Storage
Store leftover Kapusniak in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to three days. If it lasts that long.
Tips for Success
- To reduce sodium, use low sodium broth, no salt added broth, or make your own broth.
- Use homemade broth to elevate the flavor even more. I have an easy Instant Pot Chicken broth recipe that is perfect for many of my soup recipes also!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, store in serving size or family size plastic containers. Transfer to the refrigerator the night before serving for easy reheating. Cabbage reheats a little softer, but if you shred the cabbage, or dice it, you will not even notice the change.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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📖 Recipe
Kapusniak (Polish Cabbage Soup)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 Onion
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 4 Carrots
- 2 stalks Celery
- 2 medium Tomatoes
- ½ head Cabbage
- 4 cups Broth
- 4 cups Water
- 1 Bay leaf
- 3 Allspice berries whole, or ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice.
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
Optional Ingredient
- 8 oz Sauerkraut canned or jarred. With or without caraway seeds.
- Parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large 4 quart Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and saute for 1 to 2 minutes.2 tablespoon Olive oil, 1 Onion, 2 cloves Garlic
- Add the diced carrots and celery and continue to saute for another 3 to 4 minutes.4 Carrots, 2 stalks Celery
- Add in the shredded cabbage and chopped tomatoes. If you are using whole canned tomatoes, cut them up before adding.2 medium Tomatoes, ½ head Cabbage
- Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth, water, bay leaf. and allspice berries. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If you are opting to add the sauerkraut, now is the time to do so.4 cups Broth, 4 cups Water, 1 Bay leaf, 1 teaspoon Salt, ½ teaspoon Pepper, 8 oz Sauerkraut, 3 Allspice berries
- Bring the soup pot to a boil, and then simmer for 30 minutes. Serve & enjoy!
Notes
- To reduce sodium use low sodium broth, no salt added broth, or make your own broth.
- Use homemade broth to elevate the flavor even more. I have an easy Instant Pot Chicken broth recipe that is perfect for many of my soup recipes also!
- Nutritional information for this recipe included the optional sauerkraut.
Nutrition
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