Hearty Homemade Pierogi Kielbasa Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

Polish comfort food meets hearty winter warmth in this delectable pierogi kielbasa soup that promises pure culinary magic.

Memories of grandma’s kitchen swirl with each spoonful of rich, steaming broth.

Robust kielbasa sausage mingles perfectly with tender potato-filled pierogies, creating a symphony of traditional flavors.

Savory ingredients dance together, bringing a touch of Warsaw’s soul right to your dinner table.

Crisp vegetables add depth and brightness to this classic Polish-inspired dish.

Crusty bread makes the ideal companion for soaking up every last drop of this soul-satisfying soup.

Prepare to be transported by a recipe that whispers of generations of home cooking and love.

Try Pierogi Soup Different Ways

• Vegetarian Polish Comfort: Substitute kielbasa with plant-based sausage or smoked tofu, using vegetable broth for a meat-free version that maintains rich flavor profiles.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace traditional pierogies with gluten-free pierogi alternatives made from rice flour or potato-based wrappers, ensuring celiac-friendly preparation.
• Low-Sodium Option: Use reduced-sodium kielbasa, eliminate added salt, and incorporate fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to enhance taste without increasing sodium content.
• Dairy-Free Modification: Swap butter with olive oil or coconut oil, and use dairy-free margarine to create a lactose-intolerant friendly soup that preserves authentic Polish cooking techniques.

FAQs

• Are pierogies the main ingredient in this soup?

No, kielbasa is equally important. The soup combines pierogi dumplings with sliced kielbasa sausage, creating a hearty Polish-inspired dish with rich, savory flavors.

• Is this soup considered a traditional Polish recipe?

While it’s inspired by Polish cuisine, this recipe is a modern fusion that combines classic ingredients like kielbasa and pierogi in a comforting soup format, adapting traditional elements into a contemporary meal.

• Can I use different types of kielbasa for this recipe?

Absolutely! You can use smoked, Polish-style, or even spicy kielbasa varieties. Each type will bring a unique flavor profile to the soup, allowing you to customize the taste to your preference.

• What makes this soup different from other potato-based soups?

This soup stands out by incorporating pierogies directly into the broth, adding texture and a distinctive dumpling element that sets it apart from standard potato or sausage soups.

What You’ll Like in Pierogi Kielbasa Soup

• Quick and Hearty Meal: Dive into a comforting soup that combines the rich flavors of kielbasa with classic pierogi ingredients, creating a satisfying one-pot wonder perfect for chilly evenings.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: Brown the kielbasa, sauté some veggies, and you're on your way to a delicious meal with minimal kitchen effort and maximum taste payoff.
• Versatile Family Crowd-Pleaser: This soup appeals to both kids and adults, offering a familiar and exciting twist on traditional soup with chunky kielbasa and tender vegetables that everyone will love.
• Easy Weeknight Dinner Solution: Whip up this soup in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy families looking for a quick, nutritious, and satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Pierogi Kielbasa Soup Ingredients

• Kielbasa: Polish sausage that adds smoky, meaty depth to the soup, choose a high-quality, traditional-style variety.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps sauté vegetables, use unsalted for better control of saltiness.

• Onion, Garlic, Carrots, Celery: Classic soup base that builds foundational flavor, fresh vegetables give the best taste and texture.

• Pierogies: Traditional Polish dumplings that make the soup hearty and substantial, choose pre-made or fresh from a local deli for convenience.

• Chicken Broth: Creates the soup's liquid base, provides additional savory flavor, opt for low-sodium to control salt levels.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall soup flavors, season to personal taste preference.

Pierogi Kielbasa Soup Cooking Walkthrough

Step 1: Warm Up the Butter

Grab a large pot and let the butter melt gently over medium heat, creating a golden, fragrant base for your delicious soup.

Step 2: Brown the Kielbasa

Toss in the sliced kielbasa and let it sizzle and dance in the pot, turning a beautiful golden brown.

Once perfectly crispy, scoop out the kielbasa and set it aside for later.

Step 3: Sauté the Vegetable Medley

• Onions
• Garlic
• Carrots
• Celery

Stir and sauté these veggies until they become wonderfully soft and release their aromatic flavors, creating a delicious foundation for your soup.

Step 4: Build the Soup Base

Sprinkle flour into the pot and stir to create a roux, allowing it to cook for a minute to remove the raw flour taste.

Step 5: Pour in the Liquids

• Chicken broth
• Milk
• Heavy cream

Whisk continuously to ensure a smooth, creamy consistency without any lumps.

Step 6: Add Pierogi and Seasonings

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Dried thyme
• Dried parsley

Step 7: Simmer and Combine

Let the soup simmer until the pierogies are tender and heated through.

Return the browned kielbasa to the pot and stir to combine all the delicious flavors.

Step 8: Final Touches

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped chives or parsley for an extra burst of flavor.

Pierogi Kielbasa Soup Shortcuts

• Brown kielbasa thoroughly to release rich, smoky flavors that will enhance the soup's overall taste profile.
• Cut carrots and celery into uniform, small pieces to ensure even cooking and maintain a pleasant texture.
• Use high-quality butter for sautéing to add a deeper, more complex undertone to the base of your soup.
• Swap kielbasa with smoked turkey sausage for a leaner version or use vegetarian sausage to create a meat-free alternative.
• Choose low-sodium kielbasa and broth to manage salt content, allowing you to adjust seasoning precisely to your preference.

Pierogi Kielbasa Soup: Best Ways to Store

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping soup fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion. Freeze up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
• Warm soup over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add splash of broth if soup thickens during storage.
• Transfer soup to microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

Perfect Pairing for Pierogi Soup

• Perfect Meat Match: Pair the soup with crispy pan-fried kielbasa slices as a garnish to enhance the existing smoky sausage flavor and add extra protein crunch.
• Bread Buddy Boost: Serve alongside crusty Polish rye bread or dense sourdough to soak up the rich, hearty broth and complement the pierogi's traditional Eastern European roots.
• Wine Wisdom Pairing: Select a medium-bodied Polish or German beer like Żywiec or a crisp pilsner to cut through the soup's richness and match its robust flavors.
• Herbaceous Harmony: Sprinkle fresh dill or chives on top to brighten the soup's deep, savory profile and add a light, fresh counterpoint to the heavy ingredients.

Pierogi Kielbasa Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Polish pierogi kielbasa soup brings comfort straight from Poland’s culinary heart. Warm spices and rich sausage blend with tender dumplings, creating a soul-satisfying meal you’ll savor down to the last spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) kielbasa, sliced
• 1/4 cup (57 grams) bacon crumbles
• 1/2 cup (57 grams) shredded cheddar or gouda cheese

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced

Liquids and Thickeners:

• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) butter
• 2 tablespoons (16 grams) flour
• 4 cups (946 milliliters) chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) heavy cream or half-and-half
• 12 frozen pierogi (potato and cheese recommended)
• 2 tablespoons (8 grams) fresh dill or parsley, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt & pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm a spacious dutch oven and allow butter to melt, creating a golden base for the soup’s foundation.
2. Introduce sliced kielbasa into the pot, allowing each piece to caramelize and develop rich, smoky undertones. Transfer the browned sausage to a separate plate, preserving its intense flavor.
3. Within the same cooking vessel, gently sauté aromatic vegetables – chopped onions, minced garlic, diced carrots, and sliced celery – coaxing out their natural sweetness and creating a robust vegetable medley.
4. Sprinkle flour over the softened vegetables, stirring continuously to create a smooth, thickening roux that will provide body to the soup.
5. Gradually pour in chicken broth and whole milk, whisking consistently to prevent lumps and ensure a silky, creamy consistency.
6. Introduce pierogi into the simmering liquid, allowing them to float gently and absorb the soup’s complex flavors.
7. Return the caramelized kielbasa to the pot, stirring to distribute the sausage evenly throughout the soup.
8. Season with salt, black pepper, and dried thyme, tasting and adjusting the seasoning to achieve a harmonious flavor profile.
9. Simmer the soup for 15-20 minutes, allowing the pierogi to become tender and the flavors to meld together seamlessly.
10. Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley for a vibrant, aromatic finish.

Notes

• Choose full-flavored kielbasa for deeper taste profile, preferably smoked variety for richer undertones.
• Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and balanced texture throughout the soup.
• Consider using low-sodium broth to control salt levels, allowing more flexibility in seasoning during cooking process.
• Swap traditional pierogi for gluten-free versions if accommodating dietary restrictions, maintaining authentic soup character.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Polish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 485 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 1150 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 19 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg