Cozy German Potato Soup (Kartoffelsuppe) with Kielbasa

When the air starts to cool and the Oktoberfest music begins, this hearty German Potato Soup (Kartoffelsuppe) always makes an appearance on my table.

A few years ago, my husband and I traveled to Germany and fell in love with the whole vibe. Somewhere between the pretzels and the steins, we decided to start hosting our own Oktoberfest party each fall back home. This soup has been on the menu ever since. No matter how many dishes I make, this one is always the crowd favorite. It’s cozy, flavorful, and simple to make. The mix of tender potatoes, sweet carrots, and smoky kielbasa makes it the perfect cold-weather comfort food.

I first came across a version of this recipe on recipesfromeurope.com, and after a few tweaks to fit my own taste and ingredients, it became a staple in my kitchen.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs potatoes, peeled, washed, and diced

• 2 medium yellow onions, chopped small

• 4 medium carrots, peeled and chopped small

• 1 leek, cleaned and chopped

• 3 celery stalks, chopped small

• 2 tbsp oil (i used olive oil)

• 2 packages Polish kielbasa, sliced

• 4 cups vegetable broth (I used a little more to cover)

• 1/4 cup whipping cream

• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 1/2 tsp nutmeg

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onions and sauté 3 to 4 minutes until translucent.

2. Add potatoes, carrots, celery, and leek. Sauté another 3 to 4 minutes.

3. Pour in enough vegetable broth to just cover the vegetables and bring to a low boil.

4. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. After 20 minutes, add sliced kielbasa, parsley, whipping cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

6. Simmer another 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

7. Serve warm with crusty bread or soft pretzels and a cold German beer if you’re in the spirit.

Why You’ll Love It

This soup is the perfect blend of hearty and wholesome. It’s filling enough to stand on its own as a meal but still light enough that you won’t feel weighed down. It also tastes even better the next day as the flavors blend together, making it ideal for meal prep or entertaining.

Estimated Nutrition (per serving)

Yields: about 8 servings
Serving size: roughly 1½ cups

MacrosPer Serving (approx.)

Calories315 kcal

Protein13 g

Carbohydrates22 g

Fat19 g

Fiber3 g

(Based on using standard kielbasa, light whipping cream, and 4.5 cups total broth.)

Tip

If you want to lighten it up, swap the kielbasa for chicken sausage and reduce the oil to 1 tablespoon. For a creamier texture, blend about a cup of the soup and stir it back in before adding the sausage.

yummmm!

Oktoberfest Tradition

Every fall, I host an Oktoberfest party with bratwurst, pretzels, sauerkraut, and a lineup of German beers. But this German Potato Soup always steals the show. It’s the kind of dish that makes everyone feel warm, cozy, and a little nostalgic.

You don’t have to be in Bavaria to enjoy a bowl of Kartoffelsuppe. 🇩🇪