Bavarian Leek and Cabbage Soup

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 
  • 2 medium leeks, white and light green parts, halved and thinly sliced (see Tip)
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped carrot
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock
  • 1 12-ounce bottle lager
  • 8 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
  • 3 cups diced red potatoes
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4 cups chopped greens, such as chard or kale
  • 12 ounces smoked bratwurst or kielbasa, cut into ½-inch rounds
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
  • Ground pepper to taste
  • ½ cup reduced-fat sour cream

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add leeks, carrot, celery and thyme.
  2. Cover and cook, occasionally stirring, for 10 minutes.
  3. Add broth (or stock), lager, cabbage, potatoes and bay leaves; cover and bring to a boil.
  4. Uncover, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Stir in greens and sausage and cook, occasionally stirring, until the potatoes are tender, 10 to 15 minutes more.
  6. Season with salt and pepper. Discard bay leaves.
  7. Ladle into bowls and top each with parsley, if desired.

Cabbage

This recipe is one of my favorite ways to use cabbage. Cabbage is not only inexpensive but also very healthy. It has 1 gram of fiber for every 10 calories, which helps fill you up so you eat less. It also keeps you regular and could help lower your “bad” (LDL) cholesterol and control your blood sugar. Cabbage also has nutrients that keep the lining of your stomach and intestines strong.

Leeks

The first time I tried cooking with a leek was with a potato and leek soup recipe. I was instantly hooked! Leeks have a savory flavor like onions when browned but not as bitter or strong as onions. aside from being tasty leeks are very healthy. They are high in vitamin K, which is important for blood clotting and bone health. They also contain vitamins A and C, which are important for a healthy immune system and skin. Leeks are also a good source of folate, a B-vitamin that's essential for cell growth and development.

Sausage

This recipe calls for 12 ounces of smoked bratwurst or kielbasa sausage. The amount used can be decreased or left out for a vegetarian option.

Air Fryer Sausage

This air fryer Kielbasa recipe is a great way to prepare the sausage if you don't want to brown it in the pan or want to use up any leftover sausage.

Bavarian Leek and Cabbage Soup

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 medium leeks (white and light green parts, halved and thinly sliced (see Tip))
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped carrot
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock
  • 1 12- ounce bottle lager
  • 8 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
  • 3 cups diced red potatoes
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4 cups chopped greens (such as chard or kale)
  • 12 ounces smoked bratwurst or kielbasa (cut into ½-inch rounds)
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
  • Ground pepper to taste
  • ½ cup reduced-fat sour cream
  1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add leeks, carrot, celery and thyme.
  2. Cover and cook, occasionally stirring, for 10 minutes.
  3. Add broth (or stock), lager, cabbage, potatoes and bay leaves; cover and bring to a boil.
  4. Uncover, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Stir in greens and sausage and cook, occasionally stirring, until the potatoes are tender, 10 to 15 minutes more.
  6. Season with salt and pepper. Discard bay leaves.
  7. Ladle into bowls and top each with parsley, if desired.

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