7 Cozy German Cabbage Soup Recipes for Chilly Nights

Discover 7 cozy German cabbage soup recipes perfect for chilly nights. This hand-picked roundup highlights authentic, hearty soups from trusted food blogs, giving you easy links and tips to warm your kitchen and table all season long.

When the weather turns crisp, nothing soothes like a steaming bowl of soup. German cabbage soup is hearty yet light, full of garden vegetables and gentle spices. In this post, you’ll find a curated list of seven trusted german cabbage soup recipes from top food blogs. Each one is easy to follow and filled with traditional flavor. Whether you prefer a classic krautsuppe, a smoky bacon twist, or a simple vegetarian bowl, these recipes deliver comfort and nutrition.

Explore step-by-step links, cooking tips, and ideas for cozy sides. Warm your home with authentic German taste and make cold evenings something to look forward to.

Why This Recipe?

German cabbage soup is loved for its simple ingredients and rich, satisfying flavor. It’s quick to prepare and works with whatever you have—green or Savoy cabbage, sausage, potatoes, or just vegetables. This makes it budget-friendly and adaptable for meat lovers or vegetarians.

Cabbage is packed with fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, so every bowl feels wholesome and nourishing. The soup also reheats beautifully, letting flavors deepen overnight for effortless next-day meals.

Whether you’re after a hearty family dinner, a light lunch, or a freezer-friendly make-ahead dish, these german cabbage soup recipes deliver cozy comfort and lasting value.

7 Cozy German Cabbage Soup Recipes for Chilly Nights

1. German Cabbage Soup (Original with Croutons)

Flavor Summary: A rich, buttery soup with smoked bacon (or speck), sweet and savory notes from sautéed cabbage, carried by a creamy broth, finished with toasty croutons and fresh chives. This version balances the smoky meat and creamy element well.

Quick 5-Step Summary:

1. Slice cabbage, potatoes; render bacon & butter, add caraway & sugar; sauté until cabbage soft.
2. Deglaze with dry white wine, then add vegetable broth and cream.
3. Grate or dice potatoes and stir into the simmering soup.
4. Meanwhile make croutons by frying bread cubes in butter.
5. When soup is done, ladle into bowls; top with croutons and chopped chives.

Time: ~45 minutes
Tags: Meat, Comfort Food, Winter Warmers
Recipe Credit: MyBestGermanRecipes (mybestgermanrecipes.com)
💡 Tip: Do not skip the croutons—they add a crunchy contrast and soak up flavors beautifully.
👉 Check full recipe: German Cabbage Soup (Original with Croutons)

2. Easy Cabbage Soup (Budget-Friendly Vegetable Version)

Flavor Summary: Light yet hearty: lots of garden vegetables, a tomato base, smoked paprika, herbs, and a gentle brightness from lemon juice. Very comforting without feeling heavy.

Quick 5-Step Summary:

1. Chop cabbage, bell peppers, carrots, celery, onion, garlic.
2. Sauté aromatics (onion, garlic, etc.) in olive oil until soft.
3. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, herbs, paprika; stir briefly.
4. Pour in broth + cabbage, simmer until cabbage is tender (~40 min).
5. Finish with lemon juice, season with salt and pepper; serve hot.

Time: ~1 hr 10 min (includes prep)
Tags: Vegetarian, Budget, Comfort Food
Recipe Credit: Budget Bytes (budgetbytes.com)
💡 Tip: Lemon juice at the end cuts through richness and gives a fresh lift.
👉 Check full recipe: Easy Cabbage Soup

3. German Savoy Cabbage Soup with Ground Meat & Potatoes

Flavor Summary: Hearty and smoky with a mix of ground meat (pork + beef), potatoes, bacon, and tender savoy cabbage. Generous seasoning gives depth, especially from smoked paprika and sharp fresh pepper.

Quick 5-Step Summary:

1. Fry bacon & onion until translucent. Add ground meat, cook until browned.
2. Add paprika, salt, pepper; stir.
3. Add savoy cabbage, diced potatoes, broth; bring to simmer.
4. Cook until potatoes are tender (~30 min).
5. Serve hot; garnish with fresh chives and a dollop of crème fraîche if desired.

Time: ~1 hour
Tags: Meat-based, Hearty, Winter Comfort
Recipe Credit: Where Is My Spoon (whereismyspoon.co)
💡 Tip: Use fresh ground pepper generously—it adds a nice kick and warmth.
👉 Check full recipe: German Savoy Cabbage Soup – Where Is My Spoon

4. Kohlsuppe – Slow Cooker German Cabbage Soup with Sausage

Flavor Summary: Deeply comforting with smoked sausage, potatoes, leeks, and cabbage all slow-cooked together. The slow cooker lets flavors meld over hours, making the dish rich and effortless to prepare.

Quick 5-Step Summary:

1. Slice cabbage; dice potatoes, leeks, carrots, sausage.
2. Sauté leeks & carrots in butter until soft.
3. Transfer all ingredients plus broth into slow cooker. Add seasoning, herbs, bay leaves.
4. Cook on low for about 6 hours.
5. Taste, adjust salt; serve hot.

Time: ~6 hrs 30 min (mostly hands-off)
Tags: Slow Cooker, Sausage, One-Pot Meal
Recipe Credit: One Acre Vintage Homestead
💡 Tip: Use smoked sausage toward the end or warm them rather than cooking long to preserve texture.
👉 Check full recipe: Kohlsuppe – Slow Cooker German Cabbage Soup

5. Authentic German Cabbage Soup (Kohlsuppe) – Sweet-&-Sour Style

Flavor Summary: Traditional take on Kohlsuppe, combining vegetable stock, vinegar, sugar, caraway, juniper berries, and smoked sausage for sweet-and-sour balance. Rustic, layered flavors with crisp cabbage and chunky veggies.

Quick 5-Step Summary:

1. Chop onions, garlic, carrots, potatoes; slice cabbage.
2. Sauté onions & garlic, then add cabbage briefly to soften.
3. Add broth, bay leaves, caraway seeds, juniper berries; simmer ~40 min.
4. Add vegetables (potatoes, carrots) + parsley; cook until tender.
5. Stir in vinegar & sugar to taste; add smoked sausage if using; serve.

Time: ~1 hr 20 min
Tags: Sausage, Sweet-and-Sour, Traditional
Recipe Credit: My Dinner (mydinner.co.uk)
💡 Tip: Adjust vinegar & sugar gradually—sweet-and-sour is a personal taste; start mild.
👉 Check full recipe: Authentic German Cabbage Soup (Kohlsuppe)

6. German Cabbage Soup (Mutti’s Krautsuppe) – Oma’s Classic

Flavor Summary: Simple, old-world soup, focused on cabbage and basic vegetables. Mild and deeply comforting, with caraway and occasional brothy or creamy texture depending on version. Very flexible for home cooks.

Quick 5-Step Summary:

1. Chop cabbage (white or Savoy), carrots, celery as desired.
2. Bring broth and water to boil; add cabbage & veggies.
3. Season with caraway, salt, pepper; optionally add a splash of vinegar or Maggi.
4. Simmer uncovered ~45-90 minutes until flavors meld and cabbage softens.
5. Taste & adjust seasonings; serve with bread or optional meat.

Time: ~1-1.5 hours
Tags: Traditional, Flexible, Mild Flavor
Recipe Credit: Quick German Recipes (quick-german-recipes.com)
💡 Tip: Longer simmering brings out sweeter flavors in cabbage; a small splash of vinegar at end brightens up the dish.
👉 Check full recipe: Easy German Cabbage Soup: Mutti’s Krautsuppe

7. German Cabbage Soup with Crème Fraîche & Bacon (Rustic Version)

Flavor Summary: Rich, smoky, creamy—this version uses bacon plus cream or crème fraîche, with tender cabbage and potatoes. It’s indulgent, balanced by the sharpness of cream and mild sweetness of cabbage.

Quick 5-Step Summary:

1. Fry bacon (or smoky meat) until crisp; remove, keep drippings.
2. Sauté sliced cabbage in the drippings with butter until edges brown a bit.
3. Add diced potatoes, broth, herbs; simmer until veggies are soft.
4. Stir in cream or crème fraîche; reintroduce bacon.
5. Season with salt, pepper; serve warm, perhaps with rye or heavy bread.

Time: ~40 minutes
Tags: Bacon, Creamy, Rich, Hearty
Recipe Credit: Cosmopolitan Cornbread (cosmopolitancornbread.com)
💡 Tip: Browning cabbage and using bacon drippings adds an almost caramelized flavor that elevates the soup.
👉 Check full recipe: German Cabbage Soup (with Recipe Video)

More Recipe Details

These german cabbage soup recipes share simple pantry staples but each has its own character. Most begin with onions, garlic, carrots, and potatoes simmered in rich broth. Some include smoked bacon or sausage for hearty depth. Others stay vegetarian with bright tomato or herb bases.

Cooking times range from 40 minutes for quick stovetop soups to 6 hours for slow-cooker versions. All are one-pot meals, so cleanup is easy. You can swap green, Savoy, or even red cabbage depending on what you have. Each soup also tastes better the next day, making leftovers a real treat.

Whether you crave creamy comfort or a light vegetable broth, these recipes are flexible. Add more vegetables, use plant-based sausage, or adjust spices to suit your taste.

History or Origin of the Dish

Cabbage soup has deep roots in Germany’s rural kitchens. Known as Kohlsuppe or Krautsuppe, it began as a thrifty way to turn stored winter vegetables into warm, filling meals.

Every region has its twist. Northern areas often add smoked meats or sausage, while southern recipes might feature cream, wine, or fresh herbs. Over time, German families passed down their favorite methods, and these soups became a winter staple still loved today.

This long tradition is why the flavors feel so timeless—simple ingredients, slow cooking, and a focus on comfort.

Tools & Equipment Needed

You don’t need fancy tools to enjoy these soups. Most require only basic kitchen gear:

• Large soup pot or Dutch oven
• Cutting board and sharp knife
• Wooden spoon for stirring
• Ladle for serving

Optional but handy:

• Slow cooker for long, gentle simmering
• Immersion blender if you like a smoother texture
• Storage containers to keep leftovers fresh

With just these basics, you can create cozy, home-style cabbage soup any night of the week.

FAQ

Can I make these soups vegetarian or vegan?
Yes. Simply skip the meat or replace sausage with plant-based alternatives. Use vegetable broth for a full vegetarian or vegan meal.

Which type of cabbage works best?
Green and Savoy are classic. Red cabbage adds color and sweetness but may tint the broth. Napa cabbage gives a softer bite.

Can I freeze German cabbage soup?
Absolutely. Let it cool, then freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently.

How do I boost flavor without bacon or sausage?
Try adding smoked paprika, caraway seeds, or a splash of soy sauce for depth. A bit of butter or olive oil also enriches the broth.

How long will leftovers last in the fridge?
Stored in a covered container, these soups keep for 3 to 4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave until piping hot.

What can I serve with German cabbage soup?
Crusty bread, rye rolls, or pretzels make perfect sides. A fresh green salad adds balance.

How can I adjust the tang or spice?
Add a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice for more brightness. For extra warmth, stir in a pinch of chili flakes or black pepper.

Conclusion

German cabbage soup is more than a meal—it’s a hug in a bowl. Each recipe brings hearty flavor, nourishing vegetables, and easy preparation. Whether you’re feeding family, meal-prepping for the week, or warming up on a cold night, these soups fit the season perfectly.

Try one or try them all, then share your favorite combination of spices, meats, or vegetables. With these german cabbage soup recipes, chilly evenings just got a lot cozier.