Tangy Fermented Cabbage Soup (Printer Friendly)

Tangy fermented cabbage soup with smoked meats, vegetables, and natural probiotics for gut health support.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 5.3 oz smoked bacon or kielbasa sausage, diced

→ Vegetables

02 - 17.6 oz sauerkraut, drained and roughly chopped
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 1 medium potato, peeled and diced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

07 - 33.8 fl oz low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
08 - 8.5 fl oz water

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 1 bay leaf
10 - 1 tsp caraway seeds
11 - 0.5 tsp black pepper
12 - 0.5 tsp paprika
13 - Salt to taste

→ Finishing Touches

14 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
15 - 4 tbsp sour cream for serving, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large pot over medium heat, sauté the smoked bacon or sausage until browned and fat is rendered, approximately 5 minutes. For a vegetarian adaptation, skip this step or sauté smoked tofu in 1 tbsp of oil.
02 - Add the onion, garlic, and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
03 - Stir in the sauerkraut and potatoes. Sauté for 3 minutes to meld flavors.
04 - Add the broth, water, bay leaf, caraway seeds, black pepper, and paprika. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, until potatoes are tender and flavors have fully developed.
05 - Taste and adjust salt as needed. Remove bay leaf. Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish each serving with fresh parsley and a dollop of sour cream if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes better the longer it simmers, so you can make it ahead and reheat without losing any magic.
  • The fermented cabbage gives you gut-friendly probiotics while tasting genuinely delicious, not medicinal.
  • One pot, minimal stress, and you'll have leftovers that actually improve after a day in the fridge.
02 -
  • Don't drain the sauerkraut too aggressively or you'll lose the tangy juice that makes the soup taste authentic—a light squeeze is all you need.
  • The fermentation magic disappears if you use pasteurized sauerkraut, so check the label; raw fermented versions are worth seeking out.
03 -
  • If the tanginess feels too sharp, add a pinch of sugar to round it out, but taste first because sauerkraut comes in different fermentation intensities.
  • Make this on a Sunday evening when you have time, and you'll have a go-to lunch that actually feels nourishing instead of rushed.
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