Hearty One-Pot Cabbage Boil with Sausage: Your Ultimate Comfort Food Dinner

When you’re craving a dish that feels like a warm hug, nothing quite hits the spot like a classic cabbage boil with sausage. This incredibly simple yet profoundly satisfying one-pot meal brings together tender cabbage, savory smoked sausage, and hearty potatoes in a flavorful broth. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner solution or a cozy weekend feast, promising delicious comfort with minimal effort.

Why This Cabbage Boil with Sausage Recipe Will Become Your Go-To Meal

This isn’t just another dinner; it’s a culinary triumph destined for your regular rotation. Here’s why this particular cabbage boil with sausage stands out:

• Effortless One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks in a single large pot, significantly reducing cleanup and maximizing your leisure time.
• Budget-Friendly & Filling: Using economical ingredients like cabbage, potatoes, and sausage, this recipe delivers incredible flavor and satiety without breaking the bank. It’s perfect for feeding a family or enjoying delicious leftovers.
• Packed with Flavor & Nutrition: From the smoky sausage and paprika to the wholesome cabbage and potatoes, every bite is a symphony of taste. Plus, it’s a meal you can feel good about.

Essential Ingredients for the Perfect Cabbage Boil with Sausage

While the beauty of a cabbage boil with sausage lies in its simplicity, selecting quality ingredients enhances the final dish. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:

Cabbage Selection

One head of green cabbage, cut into generous wedges, is ideal. Choose a firm, heavy head with crisp, vibrant leaves. Wedges ensure the cabbage cooks down beautifully, absorbing flavors while maintaining some texture.

Choosing Your Smoked Sausage

A good quality smoked sausage, such as kielbasa, is key. Opt for fully cooked varieties to simplify preparation and infuse a deep, smoky flavor. Andouille sausage works well if you prefer a spicier kick, or use chicken/turkey sausage for a lighter option.

Potatoes and Aromatics

Baby potatoes are perfect; halve them for even cooking. Red or Yukon Gold potatoes are also great choices. A large onion, chopped, forms the aromatic base, sautéed in the rendered sausage fat. Garlic powder and smoked paprika add depth and a complementary smokiness.

Broth and Finishing Touches

Chicken broth creates the savory liquid base. Always adjust salt and black pepper to taste at the end. A garnish of fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous finish to this comforting cabbage boil with sausage.

How to Prepare This Easy Cabbage Boil with Sausage: A Quick Guide

Making this delicious cabbage boil with sausage is incredibly straightforward. Here’s a concise overview of the steps. For full details and measurements, please refer to the recipe card below.

1. Sear the Sausage

Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add sliced smoked sausage and cook until lightly browned. Remove the sausage and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot to build flavor.

2. Sauté Onions and Spices

Add chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened. Stir in garlic powder and smoked paprika, cooking for one minute until fragrant. This blooms the spices, intensifying their aroma and taste.

3. Simmer Potatoes

Pour in chicken broth and add the halved baby potatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes until potatoes are slightly tender.

4. Combine and Finish

Nestle cabbage wedges among the potatoes and return the cooked sausage to the pot. Cover and continue to simmer for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender-crisp and potatoes are fully cooked. Season your cabbage boil with sausage with salt and black pepper to taste, then serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Cabbage Boil with Sausage

A simple, hearty, and flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender cabbage, savory sausage, and potatoes, all boiled to perfection.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American, Southern

Calories: 450

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 head green cabbage cut into wedges
• 1 lb smoked sausage (kielbasa or similar) sliced
• 2 lbs baby potatoes halved
• 1 large onion chopped
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)

Equipment

• Large pot/Dutch oven
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife

Method

 

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook until lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove sausage and set aside, leaving rendered fat in the pot.
2. Add chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
3. Stir in garlic powder and smoked paprika, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add chicken broth and baby potatoes to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes, or until potatoes are slightly tender.
5. Add cabbage wedges to the pot, nestling them among the potatoes. Return the cooked sausage to the pot.
6. Cover and continue to simmer for another 10-15 minutes, or until cabbage is tender-crisp and potatoes are fully cooked.
7. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
8. Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.

Notes

Adjust seasoning to your preference. For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Expert Tips and Delicious Variations for Your Cabbage Boil with Sausage

Elevate your cabbage boil with sausage with these helpful tips and creative variations:

Spice It Up

For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the other spices. Using a spicy smoked sausage like Andouille will also increase the heat. A dash of your favorite hot sauce at serving is another easy option.

Storage and Reheating

Leftovers of this cabbage boil with sausage are fantastic! Store cooled portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth if needed, or microwave individual servings.

Heartier Additions

Consider adding other root vegetables like carrots or parsnips alongside the potatoes. Cannellini beans or diced tomatoes can also be stirred in for extra substance. If you enjoy hearty, comforting meals with cabbage, you might also like our recipe for Ultimate Slow Cooker Cabbage and Beef Soup: A Hearty & Easy Comfort Food Recipe.

Vegetarian/Vegan Options

To make this dish vegetarian, simply omit the smoked sausage and use vegetable broth. Plant-based smoked sausage alternatives, chickpeas, or extra mushrooms can replace the meat. Sauté your chosen alternative before adding onions.

Sausage Alternatives

Beyond kielbasa, explore other smoked sausage varieties. Chorizo offers a Spanish flair, while Italian sausage (mild or hot) can add a different herbaceous note. Ensure any raw sausage is cooked thoroughly.

Perfectly Cooked Cabbage

Avoid mushy cabbage by adding wedges when potatoes are slightly tender, then simmering only until the cabbage is tender-crisp, typically 10-15 minutes. It should retain a pleasant bite.

What to Serve with Your Comforting Cabbage Boil with Sausage

This cabbage boil with sausage is a complete meal on its own, but these additions can enhance your dining experience:

• Crusty Bread: A warm baguette or cornbread is perfect for soaking up the flavorful broth.
• Simple Green Salad: A light, crisp salad with a vinaigrette dressing offers a refreshing contrast. For a unique twist, try an Effortlessly Refreshing Cucumber Ribbon Salad: Your Perfect Summer Side Dish.
• Condiments: Offer hot sauce, Dijon mustard, or horseradish for those who enjoy customizing their flavors.
• Pickled Vegetables: Tangy pickled onions or jalapeños can add a delightful crunch and cut through the richness.

Embrace the Ease and Flavor of This Hearty Cabbage and Sausage Meal

There’s immense satisfaction in a homemade meal that’s both easy to prepare and bursting with flavor. This cabbage boil with sausage delivers exactly that – a wholesome, hearty dish that brings warmth to your table with minimal effort. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or new to the kitchen, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that excels in taste, convenience, and comfort. Gather your ingredients, fire up your pot, and get ready to enjoy a truly delightful meal. Happy cooking!