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Hearty Sausage, Bacon, and Cabbage Soup

A warm and comforting soup packed with sausage, bacon, cabbage, and hearty vegetables, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Soup
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meats
  • 1 pound sausage (your favorite—Italian works great)
  • 4 slices bacon
Vegetables
  • 1 small head cabbage, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 medium carrots, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids
  • 6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a lighter option)
Spices
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika optional for a smoky flavor
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • optional a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a kick

Method
 

Cooking the Bacon
  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and let it drain on paper towels.
  2. Keep the bacon grease in the pot for added flavor.
Sautéing the Vegetables
  1. In the same pot with the bacon grease, add diced onions, sliced carrots, and minced garlic; sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
Adding the Sausage
  1. Crumble the sausage into the pot and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
Incorporating the Cabbage
  1. Add the chopped cabbage and stir until it starts to soften.
Adding the Broth and Seasoning
  1. Pour in the chicken broth along with thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20-25 minutes.
Finishing Touches
  1. Crumble the crispy bacon on top and sprinkle in red pepper flakes if desired. Stir, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.
Serving the Soup
  1. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot with crusty bread.

Notes

Don’t skip on the bacon grease; it adds great flavor. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. Feel free to swap cabbage for kale or spinach for a different twist.