Hearty & Creamy French Sauerkraut Soup with Savory Bratwurst: A Comforting Winter Delicacy

There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of soup to chase away the chill, and this French Sauerkraut Soup is an absolute masterpiece of comforting flavors. It masterfully combines the robust, slightly spicy notes of bratwurst with the delightful tang of perfectly fermented sauerkraut. This isn’t just any soup; it’s a velvety smooth blend of wholesome root vegetables – onions, carrots, and potatoes – pureed to a luxurious consistency, then enriched with a swirl of heavy cream and a fresh sprinkle of parsley before serving. Each spoonful promises to warm you from the inside out, making it an ideal choice for any chilly evening or a comforting meal.

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, my excitement for soup season reaches its peak! For me, there’s no greater comfort in this world than a steaming bowl of homemade soup. It truly is my favorite meal, and if given the chance, I would happily indulge in soup every single day of the week. So, when Frank’s Kraut approached me to create a delicious cold-weather comfort food recipe, my mind immediately gravitated towards soup. It felt like a natural fit, a culinary destiny waiting to happen.

The Culinary Journey: Recreating a French Chef’s Sauerkraut Soup Recipe

The inspiration for this exquisite French Sauerkraut Soup comes from a truly memorable experience. A few months ago, my parents embarked on a wonderful trip to France and Portugal, with a significant portion of their French adventure spent cruising the enchanting Avalon Waterways. My mom, ever the food enthusiast, thoroughly enjoyed the exquisite meals served on board. She would often snap photos and send them my way whenever she encountered something exceptionally tasty. One particular evening, I received a message: “Kala! You would absolutely love this soup!” accompanied by a photo of her bowl filled with what she described as French Sauerkraut Soup.

Intrigued, I immediately urged her to ask the chef for the recipe. Her initial response was, “He would never give that out, would he?” But, to our surprise and delight, she did ask, and the chef graciously jotted down the ingredients – albeit without precise measurements and in charmingly broken English – on the back of a menu. A huge thank you to that generous chef! Armed with this cryptic, yet promising, list of ingredients, I embarked on a culinary quest.

My initial attempts to find anything remotely similar online proved fruitless. It seemed this particular French Sauerkraut Soup was a unique creation, not a widely published classic. This presented both a challenge and an exciting opportunity. I began experimenting in my kitchen, meticulously adjusting ratios and techniques until I finally landed on a recipe that my mom confidently declared to be an “almost identical twin” to the one she savored in France. This recipe is the culmination of that delicious journey, bringing a piece of French culinary charm right into your home.

This comprehensive guide and recipe for French Sauerkraut Soup is a sponsored conversation I wrote on behalf of Frank’s Kraut®. All opinions and the passion for delicious food expressed here are entirely my own.

Discover the Rich Flavors of French Sauerkraut Soup

This French Sauerkraut Soup is a delightful homage to classic French cooking, elevated by the robust flavors of Central European cuisine. The star ingredients work in harmony to create a truly unforgettable taste experience. The succulent bratwurst provides a rich, savory foundation, with its subtle spice perfectly complementing the other elements. Meanwhile, the sauerkraut introduces a bright, delightful zing that cuts through the richness, adding a layer of complexity and freshness.

A touch of ground cumin infuses each spoonful with a slightly smoky warmth, adding an unexpected but welcome depth to the soup. The earthy notes of the pureed root vegetables – sweet carrots, hearty potatoes, and aromatic onions – are beautifully balanced by the sauerkraut’s distinctive tartness. Finally, stirring in a generous amount of heavy cream transforms the soup into a velvety, luxurious dish, adding a smooth richness that lingers on the palate. Garnished with fresh parsley, this soup isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience, a perfect culinary embrace on a chilly day.

If you find yourself captivated by the unique and comforting flavors in this French Sauerkraut Soup, you’ll be thrilled to explore these other fantastic soup recipes that also feature sauerkraut: my creamy and satisfying Cream of Reuben Soup, the hearty and robust Sauerkraut, Bratwurst & Potato Soup, and my flavorful Oktoberfest Chili. Each offers a unique way to enjoy the incredible versatility of sauerkraut!

Is French Sauerkraut Soup a Healthy Choice?

Beyond its delicious taste, eating French Sauerkraut Soup offers several compelling potential health benefits, thanks to its array of nutritious ingredients. This soup is packed with a variety of wholesome vegetables, including vibrant carrots and nutrient-dense potatoes. These contribute essential vitamins and minerals to your diet, such as immune-boosting vitamin A and C, and vital potassium for heart health. Both the sauerkraut and the vegetables are also excellent sources of dietary fiber, which is crucial for promoting healthy digestion and maintaining a well-functioning digestive system.

The inclusion of bratwurst or other types of sausage transforms this soup into a wonderful source of high-quality protein. Protein is indispensable for muscle repair, tissue growth, and overall bodily function, helping you feel full and satisfied. One of the great advantages of this recipe is its adaptability. The ingredients can be easily modified to suit various dietary restrictions or preferences, whether you’re looking to make it vegetarian, vegan, or dairy-free. This flexibility ensures that almost anyone can enjoy a nourishing and flavorful bowl of this incredible soup.

The Incredible Benefits of Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut, the fermented cabbage that gives this soup its signature tang, is a powerhouse of health benefits, stemming from both the cabbage itself and the natural fermentation process. It’s truly a superfood that has been cherished for centuries across various cultures. One of its most celebrated benefits is its remarkable ability to aid digestion. This is primarily due to the presence of beneficial probiotics, living microorganisms that support a healthy gut microbiome, and its high fiber content. Together, these elements promote regular bowel movements and can alleviate common digestive issues.

Beyond digestion, sauerkraut is incredibly rich in essential vitamins and minerals. It’s an excellent source of Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant vital for immune function, and Vitamin K, which plays a crucial role in blood clotting and bone health. Furthermore, it provides significant amounts of folate, iron, magnesium, and potassium, all of which are critical for various bodily processes, from energy production to nerve function. Incorporating sauerkraut into your diet can also be a helpful strategy for weight management, as it is naturally low in calories, sugar, and fat, while its high fiber content contributes to a feeling of fullness, reducing overall calorie intake. Consistently adding a portion of sauerkraut daily can significantly strengthen your immune system, enhance your digestion, and potentially reduce your risk of certain chronic diseases. To delve even deeper into the world of this amazing fermented food, be sure to:

Check out my Ultimate Guide to Sauerkraut

Essential Ingredients for French Sauerkraut Soup

Crafting this delightful soup requires a selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients that combine to create its unique flavor profile:

• Bratwurst: We’ll use two links, with casings removed and sliced into appealing rounds. This provides a hearty, savory base.
• Olive Oil: Just one tablespoon is needed to sauté our ingredients and render the bratwurst.
• Onion: One small onion, finely diced (approximately 1 cup), for a foundational aromatic flavor.
• Garlic Cloves: Two cloves, minced, to add a pungent depth.
• Carrot: One large carrot, either julienned or diced small (about 1 cup), contributing sweetness and color.
• Potato: One large Russet potato, peeled and diced (about 1 1/2 cups), chosen for its starchiness to help thicken the soup when pureed.
• Frank’s Sauerkraut: One cup, drained but importantly, not rinsed, to preserve its full tangy flavor and beneficial probiotics.
• Ground Cumin: Half a teaspoon, adding a distinctive, slightly smoky warmth that perfectly complements the other ingredients.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Starting with 1/4 teaspoon each, these seasonings should be adjusted to your personal taste preference.
• Chicken Stock: A 32-ounce container provides the liquid base; vegetable stock can be substituted for a vegetarian option.
• Heavy Cream: Half a cup, to add a rich, velvety texture. Half & Half can be used as an alternative, or omitted entirely for a dairy-free rendition.
• Fresh Parsley: Optional, but highly recommended for garnish, adding a touch of color and fresh herb flavor.

How to Make This Comforting French Sauerkraut Soup

Begin by preparing your bratwurst. In a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage to the pot. Place the lid on the pot and cook, stirring and turning the sausage frequently, until it is beautifully browned on the outside and no longer pink in the middle. This step is crucial for developing deep flavor. Once cooked, remove the sausage from the pan and set it aside, reserving the flavorful drippings in the pot.

Do not clean out the pot! Those leftover sausage drippings are packed with flavor. Add the diced onion and minced garlic directly into the pot and sauté them for approximately 3 minutes, or until the onions become translucent and fragrant. This process softens the aromatics and builds another layer of taste.

Next, add the diced carrots and potatoes to the pot. Continue to sauté them for another 5 minutes or so. This allows the vegetables to start softening and absorb the wonderful flavors from the pot, contributing to a richer final soup.

Stir in the spices: the ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat the vegetables evenly. Then, add the drained sauerkraut to the pot, mixing it well with the vegetables and spices.

Pour the chicken stock over all the ingredients in the pot. Give everything a good stir to combine thoroughly.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for approximately 20 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are perfectly tender when pierced with a fork. This ensures they will puree smoothly.

Now for the creamy magic! Using an immersion blender, carefully puree the soup directly in the pot until it reaches your desired smooth consistency. Alternatively, if you don’t have an immersion blender, you can carefully transfer the soup in batches to a regular blender to puree it before returning it back into the soup pot. *Caution! The soup will be extremely hot. Please be very careful to avoid splashes and burns!

Once pureed, stir in the heavy cream. Keep the soup warm over low heat until you are ready to serve it. It’s important not to let the soup boil after adding the cream, as this can cause it to separate or curdle.

Serve the French Sauerkraut Soup hot, garnished with the reserved sliced sausage and a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley. For an extra boost of tangy flavor, I sometimes add a little extra sauerkraut directly to the tops of my bowls – I truly can’t get enough of it!

Save This Recipe! Pin It for Later!

If you adore this French Sauerkraut Soup recipe as much as I do, make sure you can easily find it whenever the craving strikes! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you navigate away. This way, a warm, comforting bowl is always just a click away!

Frequently Asked Questions About French Sauerkraut Soup

Here are some common questions and helpful answers to ensure your French Sauerkraut Soup turns out perfectly every time:

• Can I use a different type of sausage instead of bratwurst?
  Yes, absolutely! While bratwurst provides a specific flavor profile, you can certainly experiment with other types of sausage. Polish sausage or kielbasa are excellent alternatives that will still offer a savory depth, though they will subtly influence the overall flavor of the soup. Feel free to choose your favorite!
• What’s the best way to puree the soup if I don’t have an immersion blender?
  If an immersion blender isn’t available, you can still achieve a wonderfully smooth soup. Carefully transfer the hot soup to a regular stand blender in small batches. It’s crucial to be cautious when blending hot liquids, as they can splatter and create steam. Always make sure to leave a small opening in the blender’s lid (or remove the center cap) to allow steam to escape, and start blending on a low speed, gradually increasing.
• Can I make this soup in advance and reheat it?
  Indeed! This soup is fantastic for meal prepping. You can easily make it ahead of time. Allow the soup to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to serve, gently reheat it on the stovetop over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s warmed through.
• How can I make this soup vegetarian or vegan?
  Adapting this soup for vegetarian or vegan diets is quite simple. For a vegetarian version, omit the bratwurst entirely and use a high-quality vegetable stock as your liquid base. For a fully vegan version, in addition to omitting the bratwurst and using vegetable stock, substitute the heavy cream with a plant-based alternative such as full-fat coconut milk (for a slightly different flavor profile) or a dedicated plant-based cream. You could also add a plant-based sausage alternative if you wish.

Expert Tips & Tricks for Perfect French Sauerkraut Soup

Elevate your French Sauerkraut Soup with these helpful tips and tricks:

• Dairy-Free Option: If you prefer a dairy-free version or simply want to lighten the soup, you can entirely omit the heavy cream. The soup will still be incredibly flavorful, and the pureed vegetables along with the sauerkraut will naturally provide a surprisingly creamy and satisfying texture.
• Serving Suggestions: This soup is wonderfully versatile. It pairs exquisitely with a slice of warm, crusty bread for dipping, or alongside a simple, vibrant green salad to add a fresh counterpoint. While it’s satisfying enough to be enjoyed as a stand-alone dish, its elegant flavor profile also makes it a fantastic starter for any dinner party. Consider serving it with a dollop of sour cream or crème fraîche for an extra layer of richness.
• Customizing Flavors: Don’t hesitate to experiment with additional seasonings to truly make this recipe your own. Bay leaves, fresh thyme sprigs, or a pinch of smoked paprika can add subtle yet distinct notes, enhancing the soup’s overall complexity and tailoring it to your personal taste preferences.
• Freezing for Later: This soup freezes beautifully! Once cooled, transfer it to airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months, making it a perfect make-ahead meal for busy days.

Should you have any more questions about preparing this absolutely delicious French Sauerkraut Soup, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I’m always happy to help.

Here are some more comforting and delicious recipes I have created featuring the wonderful Frank’s Kraut:

• Traditional Reuben Sandwich (pictured above) *Proudly featured in Nebraska Life Magazine
• Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup with Sauerkraut
• Kapusniak (Polish Sauerkraut Soup)
• Beef & Kraut Tater Tot Casserole
• Instant Pot Beer Cheese & Kraut Soup
• Sauerkraut Chocolate Cake
• Reuben Meatloaf
• Reuben Pot Pies

Be sure to explore all of my delightful Sauerkraut Recipes Category and follow my curated Sauerkraut Recipe Board on Pinterest for even more inspiration!

Take a moment to visit the official Frank’s Kraut website to discover where you can purchase what I believe is the best sauerkraut on the planet, and delve deeper into the wonderful health benefits of incorporating it into your daily diet. Their website is a treasure trove of information and delicious ideas.

Stay connected and score all kinds of fantastic recipes by following Frank’s Kraut on their social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Don’t let the cold weather win! Squash the chill and treat yourself to a soul-warming bowl of comforting French Sauerkraut Soup tonight. It’s an easy, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying meal that everyone will love.