Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup with Kraut & Kielbasa: Creamy, Comforting, and Quick
Prepare for a culinary adventure with this incredibly delicious **Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup with Kraut & Kielbasa**. This recipe offers a unique twist on a classic comfort food, blending the rich, savory flavors of beer cheese soup with the tangy goodness of sauerkraut and the smoky zest of kielbasa. It’s a dish so unexpectedly perfect, you’ll wonder why you hadn’t tried it before. And the best part? Your Instant Pot makes it remarkably quick and easy to achieve a depth of flavor that tastes like it simmered for hours.
You might be thinking, “Beer cheese soup with sauerkraut and kielbasa? That’s a combination I’ve never heard of!” You’re right – this delightful creation is born from a lifelong passion for sauerkraut and a knack for incorporating it into almost anything. If you’re skeptical about kraut in unexpected places, I challenge you to try my famous Sauerkraut Chocolate Cake. It’s a game-changer and widely acclaimed as the BEST chocolate cake ever!
This post is proudly sponsored by Frank’s Kraut. My enthusiasm and enduring love affair with their sauerkraut are entirely my own, a testament to the quality and flavor that Frank’s Kraut consistently delivers.
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Embracing the Instant Pot: Your Kitchen’s New Best Friend
Have you recently welcomed an Instant Pot into your kitchen, perhaps as a thoughtful gift? If not, it’s certainly time to consider one! These versatile pressure cookers have rapidly gained popularity, quickly becoming as indispensable as the classic slow cooker in modern kitchens. For years, my “old fashioned” pressure cooker sat untouched in the pantry, a relic of a bygone era. I remember my mom using it often when I was a child, always with stern warnings not to run or stomp in the kitchen, convinced it was a ticking time bomb. The sheer apprehension made me avoid it for a “gazillion years.”
Fast forward to today, and the new generation of electric pressure cookers, like the Instant Pot, are a world apart. They are engineered with multiple safety features, making them incredibly safe and remarkably convenient. What once felt intimidating is now a joy to use, transforming cooking into a quicker, more enjoyable experience. Beyond safety, the Instant Pot excels in its multi-functionality, allowing you to sauté, pressure cook, slow cook, steam, and more all in one pot. This significantly reduces cooking time, simplifies meal prep, and minimizes cleanup – a trifecta of benefits for any home cook.
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Instant Pot Soups: Flavor in a Fraction of the Time
My Instant Pot has truly become a workhorse in my kitchen, allowing me to whip up hearty meals with incredible efficiency. From a succulent Mississippi Pot Roast to these mouth-watering Twisted Meatball Subs, it handles a variety of dishes with ease. However, I must confess, one of my absolute favorite things to prepare in it is soup. The magic of pressure cooking means that flavors meld and deepen in a fraction of the time, resulting in a soup that tastes like it’s been simmering for an entire day.
Recently, I’ve enjoyed making a creamy Loaded Potato Soup and a classic New England Clam Chowder in my Instant Pot, both delivering rich, complex flavors surprisingly quickly. This **Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup with Kraut & Kielbasa** is no exception. It’s wonderfully simple to prepare, yet incredibly flavorful, making it a perfect meal for a busy weeknight or a cozy weekend gathering. The convenience of achieving such robust tastes in a fraction of the traditional cooking time is truly unparalleled, making the Instant Pot a staple for any soup lover.
Key Ingredients for Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup with Kraut & Kielbasa:
- Frank’s Kraut: The star ingredient, offering its signature tangy crunch.
- Smoked Polska Kielbasa: Adds a hearty, smoky depth to the soup.
- Carrots and Onions: Aromatic vegetables forming the flavorful base.
- Chicken Stock and Light Beer: The liquid foundation, with beer contributing a distinct savory note.
- Flour, Black and Cayenne Pepper, Garlic Salt: For thickening and seasoning to perfection.
- Half & Half and Butter: Essential for that rich, creamy texture.
- Muenster and Mild Cheddar Cheese: The heart of the “beer cheese” element, chosen for their smooth melt and balanced flavor.
Ingredient Spotlight: Crafting the Perfect Flavor Profile
For this comforting soup, the choice of ingredients plays a pivotal role in creating its harmonious flavor profile. We start with smoked Polska kielbasa, a hearty and flavorful sausage that comes pre-cooked, making it ideal for slicing thin and adding towards the end of the cooking process to allow its smoky essence to permeate the soup. Whether you opt for pre-shredded carrots for convenience or prefer to dice them yourself, they will contribute a subtle sweetness that balances the tanginess of the kraut. A finely chopped yellow onion lays a foundational aromatic layer, and, of course, the irreplaceable Frank’s Kraut is paramount. Its crisp texture and vibrant, sour notes are what truly elevate this soup, adding a unique and delightful complexity that distinguishes it from traditional beer cheese soups.
Regarding the cheese, I’ve found that a blend of mild cheddar and Muenster, along with a light beer, results in a beautifully balanced and approachable flavor. This combination delivers a creamy, cheesy essence without being overpowering. However, for those who crave a more robust and intense flavor, don’t hesitate to experiment! Opt for a sharp cheddar and a darker, richer stout beer. The difference in cheese choice is crucial: shredding your own cheese from a block is always recommended. Pre-shredded bagged cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can hinder smooth melting, leading to a less creamy texture. Freshly shredded cheese melts seamlessly, integrating beautifully into the soup to create that velvety, desirable consistency.
Crafting Your Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making this **Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup with Kraut & Kielbasa** is straightforward, even for Instant Pot novices. Begin by setting your Instant Pot to the “sauté” setting and melt the butter. Once the butter is shimmering, add in the diced yellow onion and carrots. Sauté these aromatics for about 4 minutes until they begin to soften and become fragrant. Next, introduce the kraut, sautéing for another couple of minutes to warm it through and allow its flavors to begin to develop.
Now, it’s time to build the base of your soup. Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables and kraut, mixing thoroughly until everything is evenly coated. Ensure there are no dry clumps of flour remaining, as this will help prevent a grainy texture in the final soup. Pour in the chicken stock and the light beer, stirring well to combine all the ingredients. Season with garlic salt, cayenne pepper, and freshly cracked black pepper. Give it another good stir to integrate the spices.
Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, making sure the sealing knob is set to the “sealing” position. Select the “manual” or “pressure cook” setting and set the timer for 5 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete and the pot beeps, carefully perform a quick release of the steam. This step requires caution; use a long-handled spoon or towel to turn the vent knob away from your face and hands. Once all the steam has been released and the float valve drops, unlock and remove the lid.
For that ultra-creamy consistency, use a hand blender (immersion blender) to blend the vegetables directly in the pot until the soup is smooth and velvety. If you don’t have a hand blender, you can carefully transfer batches of the soup to a regular blender and blend until smooth, returning it to the pot afterwards. Gradually whisk in the shredded cheese until it has completely melted and incorporated into the soup, creating a luxurious texture. Finally, pour in the Half & Half and stir well. Add the sliced Polska kielbasa to the soup. You can leave the Instant Pot on the “keep warm” setting until you’re ready to serve. The flavors will continue to meld and deepen as the soup rests, and the sausage will infuse its delicious character throughout. In fact, this soup is often even better the next day as the ingredients have more time to harmonize!
Serving Suggestions & Flavorful Toppings
Once your **Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup with Kraut & Kielbasa** is ready, serve it up piping hot! The creamy texture and robust flavors are incredibly satisfying on their own, but a few simple toppings can elevate the experience even further. A sprinkle of fresh, thinly sliced scallions adds a vibrant pop of color and a mild oniony crunch that beautifully complements the richness of the soup.
For an extra layer of authentic German-inspired flavor, consider adding a dollop of fresh Frank’s Kraut right on top, or a dusting of caraway seeds. Speaking of caraway seeds, I have a confession: I used to detest them as a kid! It wasn’t until I discovered the sheer amazingness of an Everything Bagel later in life that I began to warm up to their unique, earthy flavor. Now, I absolutely adore Everything Bagel Spice! I sprinkle it on salads, and it’s fantastic in Everything Bagel Dip. Their distinctive taste truly enhances the savory notes of this soup.
What Is Caraway Seed? – From The Kitchn
Taste: Sweet, earthy
Most Popular Use: Breads, soups, sauces, vegetables
Caraway plants are fascinating members of the carrot family, closely related to coriander and cumin. Native to central Europe, their cultivation spread to other parts of Europe, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. Both the roots and the seeds of the caraway plant are edible; if you ever encounter caraway roots, they can be prepared and cooked much like carrots. However, it’s the seeds that are most commonly used in culinary applications.
Caraway seeds are highly aromatic, possessing a distinctive earthy flavor with a subtle anise-like sweetness. Despite their tiny size, they pack a significant flavor punch, which is why most recipes call for only a teaspoon or less. In this soup, caraway seeds would beautifully complement the sauerkraut and kielbasa, enhancing the traditional German-inspired elements of the dish.
We absolutely love serving this rich and creamy **Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup** with a slice or two of warm, crusty bread. The bread is perfect for dunking into the savory broth, soaking up every last drop of that amazing flavor. For an even more authentic pairing, a slice of hearty rye bread would be an absolutely incredible addition, its robust flavor harmonizing perfectly with the kraut and kielbasa.
The Versatility of Frank’s Kraut & More Sauerkraut Inspiration
Frank’s Kraut is available in various convenient formats: cans, jars, and my personal favorite, poly bags. The poly bags offer exceptional flexibility. When I purchase the two-pound poly bags, I often buy extra to store in the freezer. This ensures I always have a supply of this flavorful sauerkraut on hand. Once defrosted, I use the amount I need for a recipe, then transfer any remaining kraut into a mason jar for easy storage in the fridge.
EXPLORE ALL MY DELICIOUS SAUERKRAUT RECIPES HERE!
I highly encourage you to visit the Frank’s Kraut website to discover where you can purchase the best sauerkraut available. While you’re there, take some time to read about the incredible health benefits of incorporating this fermented superfood into your diet. From boosting gut health to providing essential vitamins, sauerkraut is a powerhouse of nutrition.
For a steady stream of fantastic recipes and kraut-inspired ideas, be sure to follow Frank’s Kraut on their social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.
DON’T FORGET TO FOLLOW MY SAUERKRAUT BOARD ON PINTEREST!
Sauerkraut adds a wonderfully unique tang and texture that makes it a perfect addition to a wide array of soups!
Grandma always said chicken noodle soup helps with colds, but imagine boosting its power with a true superfood like sauerkraut! You’ll gain tons of nutritional value and impressive healing properties. (Click the photo for the recipe)
Now that you’re well-versed in the delicious details and benefits, let’s get cooking! Prepare to enjoy a truly unique and comforting meal with this **Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup with Kraut & Kielbasa**!
Hungry for more sauerkraut knowledge and recipes? Dive into everything you always wanted to know about kraut—where it comes from, how it’s made, and tons of delicious sauerkraut recipes—in this comprehensive Ultimate Guide to Sauerkraut.
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Print Recipe
Instant Pot Beer Cheese Soup with Kraut & Kielbasa
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter 1/2 stick
- 1/3 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup yellow onion diced (1 small onion)
- 1/2 cup Frank’s Kraut
- 1/2 cup flour
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 1 12 ounce light beer
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 8 ounce block mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 8 ounce block Muenster cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Half & Half
- 1 14 ounce package of Smoked Polska Kielbasa, sliced
Instructions
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Set Instant Pot to “sauté” setting, and add in butter.
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When butter melts add in onion and carrot. Sauté for about 4 minutes. Add in kraut and sauté for a couple on minutes more.
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Add the flour to the pot and mix into the veggies and kraut until they are coated. Make sure there are no clumps.
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Add in chicken stock and the beer. Add in garlic salt, cayenne pepper and black pepper. Stir.
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Secure the lid and make sure knob is set to the “sealing” position. Set the pot to manual and the timer for 5 minutes. when the pot beeps that it is done, CAREFULLY release the steam. When steam is released, unlock the lid and remove it.
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Using a hand blender blend veggies until smooth.
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Gradually mix in the shredded cheese until smooth. Pour in Half & Half, stir. Add in Polska Kielbasa. Leave set to keep warm until ready to eat. The flavor of the sausage will come through as it warms.
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Serve topped with wither green onions, OR more sauerkraut. Caraway seeds are a nice addition, too!