Hungarian Potato and Sausage Soup

When the going gets tough, the tough make soup! There are certain recipes that comfort the body and soul in a profound way and this hearty potato and sausage soup is in that class. I think you'll agree it's one of the best things you've had in a long time. The savory flavor from smoked sausage and the earthy sweetness from onions and cabbage are balanced perfectly with a splash of vinegar and a bit of sour cream, all brought together by soft and tender potatoes--the only way this gets better is serving it with a nice hunk of buttered, crusty bread.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
• Calories: 512 Calories

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
• freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon salt, or more to taste
• 2 teaspoons Hungarian paprika
• 2 cups chopped green cabbage
• ½ cup sour cream, or to taste
• 6 ounces smoked Hungarian sausage, sliced into rounds
• 5 cups chicken broth, or more to taste
• 1 ½ pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 tablespoons sliced green onion, or to taste (Optional)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Melt butter in a soup pot over medium heat. Add sausage and cook and stir until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove sausage to a bowl, leaving behind any butter in the pot.

Step 2

Toss onion into the pot with 1 teaspoon salt. Cook and stir until onion just starts to turn translucent and picks up a brown color from the meat juices in the pan, 4 to 5 minutes. Add flour; cook and stir for 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic and paprika; cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn the paprika.

Step 3

Stir in 5 cups chicken broth. Increase heat to high and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally so flour does not stick to the bottom of the pot. Stir in cabbage and cook until it just loses its stiffness, about 2 minutes. Stir in potatoes and bring back to a simmer. Add black pepper, cayenne pepper, and bay leaf, plus a splash of chicken broth if desired. Bring back to a simmer.

Step 4

Stir soup and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are very soft and tender, about 30 minutes. Add sausage and vinegar and simmer for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust for salt.

Step 5

Remove from heat and ladle into bowls. Garnish with sour cream, green onions, and cayenne pepper.