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German Potato Soup With Bacon (Kartoffelsuppe)

Need an easy potato soup recipe? Here's my German version of this traditional comfort food. Add some fresh bread and you've a meal that will WOW your guests!

Ingredients:

• 3-4 slices bacon, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 pound (454 grams) smoked sausages, kielbasa, or wieners
• 4-8 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1-2 celery ribs, diced
• 2-3 carrots, diced
• 3-4 cups (720-960 milliliters) water or broth, plus more if needed
• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• chopped fresh or dried parsley, to taste
• MAGGI liquid seasoning, to taste (optional)

Instructions:

1. Sauté the bacon in a large pot. Add the onions and sauté for several minutes, adding a bit of butter or olive oil, if necessary.
2. Poke the sausages several times with a fork (to let their flavors mingle into the soup) and add them to the pot along with the potatoes, celery, and carrots. Add enough water or broth to cover and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Season with salt, pepper, parsley, and MAGGI.
5. Remove the sausages to cut them into pieces. Return them to the pot, and serve.

Notes/Hints:

• If soup is too thick, add extra water. If it's too think, thicken with instant mashed potato flakes.
• Don't have any bacon? Just omit that step and use butter to saute the onions.
• Adjust the amount of potatoes as needed. 
• If you like, add some chopped garlic or garlic powder. 
• Fried onions make a nice, tasty garnish.
• Instead of broth, add some bouillon cubes. Use Vegeta powder to taste, before seasoning with salt.
• Use fresh ground pepper if possible. Also, fresh parsley is great.

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Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

Updated: March 10, 2026