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German Sauerkraut Soup Recipe (Oma's Sauerkrautsuppe)

This sauerkraut soup recipe, aka sauerkrautsuppe, is a favorite. It's one of the easy eintopf (one-pot) meals that Germany is so famous for. Everything's cooked in one pot - easy clean-up! You can alter the amounts of the veggies or meat according to your tastes.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef
• 1 large egg
• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 pound (454 grams) potatoes
• 2 - 3 medium carrots
• 2 small onions
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (26 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 28-ounce (794-gram) can or jar sauerkraut, drained (see Oma’s Hints)
• 1 tablespoon (7 grams) paprika
• 4 cups (960 milliliters) beef broth
• 1 teaspoon (6 grams) salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon (0.6 grams) freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Mix together the ground beef, egg, salt, and pepper. Form the mixture into 1 inch balls. Set aside.
2. Peel and dice the potatoes and carrots into bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch in size.
3. Dice the onions.
4. In a large pot, sauté the onions in oil over medium heat until translucent. Add the sugar and continue sautéing until the onions are golden brown.
5. Add the drained sauerkraut. Continue sautéing for a few minutes. Add the paprika.
6. Add the meatballs, potatoes, carrots, and beef broth. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cook, covered, for about 15-30 minutes.
7. Season the soup with salt and pepper, if desired, and serve.

NOTES/HINTS

• Use about 3-4 cups of sauerkraut if using homemade. Since it is raw, it will reduce in volume as it cooks.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container. This yummy soup tastes even better the next day.
• Optional additional seasonings: Add caraway seeds with the paprika and/or a bay leaf, along with the beef broth and other veggies. Or use any of your favorite fresh herbs.
• Consider adding minced garlic cloves and/or diced celery for added nutrition.
• Try adding a little bit of tomato paste for added depth of flavor.
• Make a vegetarian version by omitting the meatballs (or use plant-based meatballs or white beans) and substitute vegetable stock for the beef broth.
• Make it a sauerkraut and sausage soup by replacing the meatballs with your favorite German sausage.

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Updated: May 20, 2026