ULTIMATE KIELBASA POTATO SOUP – easymealstoprep

Article by: Olivia August 8, 2025

I can still smell the smoky aroma wafting from my grandmother’s kitchen on those chilly autumn evenings. She always made a big pot of soup, and more often than not, it was her famous potato soup with kielbasa. Every spoonful was like a warm hug, filled with love and simple, hearty flavors. Today, I’m sharing all my secrets for the most soul-satisfying Kielbasa Potato Soup Recipe you’ll ever make!

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The Ultimate Kielbasa Potato Soup Recipe

Get ready to warm up from the inside out with this incredibly delicious and easy Kielbasa Potato Soup. This recipe is a family favorite, and for good reason! It’s packed with flavor, incredibly comforting, and surprisingly simple to make. We’re talking creamy potatoes, savory kielbasa, and a touch of magic to bring it all together. Trust me, once you try this, it will become a staple in your home, especially during those colder months. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner and even impressive enough to serve to guests.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Comfort Food at Its Best: This soup is like a warm blanket on a cold day. It’s creamy, hearty, and oh-so-satisfying.
Easy to Make: With just a few simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you’ll have a delicious soup on the table in no time.
Budget-Friendly: This recipe uses inexpensive ingredients, making it a great option for feeding a family on a budget.
Customizable: You can easily adapt this recipe to your own preferences. Add different vegetables, spices, or cheeses to create your own unique flavor profile.
Make-Ahead Friendly: This soup tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prepping or making ahead for a party.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Kielbasa: The star of the show! I prefer using smoked kielbasa for its rich, smoky flavor. About 1 pound, sliced.
Potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes are my go-to for this soup. They’re creamy and hold their shape well during cooking. About 2 pounds, peeled and cubed.
Onion: A yellow onion adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor. 1 medium, diced.
Garlic: Because everything is better with garlic! 2-3 cloves, minced.
Chicken Broth: Provides the liquid base for the soup and adds a savory flavor. 6 cups.
Milk: Adds creaminess to the soup. I use whole milk, but you can use lower-fat milk if you prefer. 1 cup.
Heavy Cream: For extra richness and creaminess. ¼ cup. Optional, but highly recommended!
Butter: Used to sauté the vegetables and add flavor. 2 tablespoons.
All-Purpose Flour: Used to thicken the soup slightly. 2 tablespoons.
Salt and Pepper: To taste.
Optional Toppings: Sour cream, shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend), chopped green onions, crumbled bacon.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sauté the Kielbasa: In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced kielbasa and cook until browned and slightly crispy, about 5-7 minutes. This step is essential for developing the smoky flavor of the soup. Remove the kielbasa from the pot and set aside. Leave any rendered fat in the pot – that’s flavor gold!
Sauté the Vegetables: Add the diced onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. The onions should become translucent and slightly sweet. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
Add Flour: Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. This creates a roux that will help thicken the soup. The mixture should start to look pasty.
Add Broth: Slowly pour in the chicken broth, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits (fond) – this adds tons of flavor!
Add Potatoes: Add the cubed potatoes to the pot and bring to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. You should be able to easily pierce them with a fork.
Partially Mash Potatoes: Use a potato masher or an immersion blender to partially mash some of the potatoes. This will help thicken the soup and create a creamy texture. Don’t mash them all the way – you want to leave some chunks for texture. Alternatively, you can remove about 1-2 cups of the soup and blend it separately, then return it to the pot.
Add Milk and Cream: Stir in the milk and heavy cream (if using) and heat through. Do not boil. Boiling can cause the milk to curdle.
Add Kielbasa Back In: Return the cooked kielbasa to the pot and heat through.
Season: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember that the kielbasa is already salty, so start with a small amount of salt and add more as needed.
Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, or crumbled bacon.

Success Tips for Perfect Kielbasa Potato Soup

Don’t Skip the Kielbasa Sauté: Browning the kielbasa is crucial for developing the smoky flavor of the soup. Take the time to do this step properly – it’s worth it!
Use the Right Potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes are the best choice for this soup because they’re creamy and hold their shape well. Avoid using russet potatoes, which can become mushy.
Don’t Overcook the Potatoes: Overcooked potatoes can make the soup gluey. Cook them until they’re just tender enough to pierce with a fork.
Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup frequently during cooking and adjust the seasoning as needed. Salt, pepper, and even a pinch of smoked paprika can enhance the flavor.
Be Careful Not to Boil After Adding Milk/Cream: Boiling the soup after adding milk or cream can cause it to curdle. Heat it gently and avoid bringing it to a boil.

Variations and Additions

One of the best things about soup is that it’s so versatile! Here are a few ideas for customizing this Kielbasa Potato Soup to your own taste:

Add Vegetables: Add other vegetables like carrots, celery, or corn for extra flavor and nutrition. Sauté them along with the onions.
Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a little kick. Consider using a spicy kielbasa for even more heat. If you’re a fan of Cajun flavors, you might also enjoy CREAMY CAJUN POTATO SOUP!
Add Cheese: Stir in some shredded cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese at the end for an extra cheesy soup.
Use Different Broth: Try using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a vegetarian option.
Add Greens: Stir in some chopped spinach or kale at the end for added nutrition and color.

Serving Suggestions

This Kielbasa Potato Soup is delicious on its own, but it’s even better when served with some crusty bread or a side salad. Here are a few other serving suggestions:

Crusty Bread: Serve with a slice of crusty bread for dipping. Sourdough, French bread, or even garlic bread would be delicious.
Side Salad: A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing is a refreshing contrast to the rich soup.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich: A grilled cheese sandwich is a classic pairing with tomato soup, but it’s also delicious with potato soup.
Cornbread: A slice of warm cornbread is a comforting and flavorful addition to any soup meal.

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

This Kielbasa Potato Soup is perfect for making ahead of time. The flavors actually meld together and improve over time! Here’s how to make it ahead and store it:

Make-Ahead: Prepare the soup according to the instructions, but don’t add the milk and cream until you’re ready to serve it. Store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, reheat the soup over medium heat and stir in the milk and cream.
Storage: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Freezing: While you can technically freeze this soup, the texture may change slightly due to the potatoes and dairy. If you do freeze it, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently over medium heat. You might need to add a little extra milk or broth to thin it out after thawing.

Other Delicious Soup Recipes to Try

If you loved this Kielbasa Potato Soup recipe, here are a few other soup recipes you might enjoy:

SAUSAGE POTATO CHOWDER: A creamy and comforting chowder with sausage, potatoes, and corn.
CREAMY POTATO SOUP: A classic potato soup recipe that’s simple, satisfying, and perfect for a cold day.
CREAMY DREAMY SAUSAGE SOUP: Another delicious sausage soup with a creamy and flavorful broth. This one is truly dreamy!
Crack Potato Soup: A rich and cheesy potato soup that’s loaded with flavor. You’ll be obsessed!

And while we’re talking about kielbasa, if you’re looking for a complete meal, you should definitely check out this Pierogi Casserole with Kielbasa. It’s an easy and comforting dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Recipe Card

Kielbasa Potato Soup

A hearty and comforting soup with kielbasa, potatoes, and a creamy broth. Perfect for a cold day!

Ingredients

1 pound smoked kielbasa, sliced
2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups chicken broth
1 cup milk
¼ cup heavy cream (optional)
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional toppings: sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, crumbled bacon

Instructions

In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced kielbasa and cook until browned and slightly crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the kielbasa from the pot and set aside.
Add the diced onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Slowly pour in the chicken broth, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
Add the cubed potatoes to the pot and bring to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
Use a potato masher or an immersion blender to partially mash some of the potatoes.
Stir in the milk and heavy cream (if using) and heat through. Do not boil.
Return the cooked kielbasa to the pot and heat through.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings.

Notes

For best results, use Yukon Gold potatoes and don’t overcook them. Be careful not to boil the soup after adding milk or cream, as it can curdle.

Conclusion

There you have it – my all-time favorite Kielbasa Potato Soup Recipe! I truly believe this will become a beloved dish in your own home. It’s a simple, comforting, and incredibly flavorful soup that’s perfect for any occasion. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to enjoy a warm and satisfying bowl of homemade goodness. From my kitchen to yours, happy cooking!

What type of kielbasa and potatoes are recommended for the best flavor and texture in this soup?

The recipe recommends using smoked kielbasa for its rich, smoky flavor and Yukon Gold potatoes because they are creamy and hold their shape well during cooking.

Can I make this Kielbasa Potato Soup ahead of time, and how should I store it?

Yes, you can make the soup ahead of time. Prepare the soup according to the instructions, but don’t add the milk and cream until you’re ready to serve it. Store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, reheat the soup over medium heat and stir in the milk and cream.

What are some variations I can try to customize the Kielbasa Potato Soup?

You can customize the soup by adding vegetables like carrots, celery, or corn. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes or hot sauce for spice, or stir in shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese at the end. For a vegetarian option, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Why is it important to sauté the kielbasa before adding other ingredients?

Browning the kielbasa is crucial for developing the smoky flavor of the soup. This step is essential for adding depth and richness to the overall taste.