Irish Sausage & Cabbage Stew 🇮🇪🔥
This hearty Irish Sausage & Cabbage Stew brings classic comfort food to your table with juicy pork sausages, tender cabbage, and rich broth infused with herbs. It’s the perfect one-pot meal for chilly evenings, St. Patrick’s Day, or anytime you crave warm, rustic flavor!
Why You’ll Love This Stew
✔ Hearty & Filling – Packed with sausages, veggies, and savory broth.
✔ One-Pot Wonder – Easy cleanup and full of bold flavor.
✔ Irish-Inspired – Traditional ingredients and optional Guinness boost.
✔ Cozy & Nourishing – Warms you up from the inside out.
✔ Customizable – Add your favorite veggies or swap the sausage type.
Recipe Categories
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Cuisine: Irish / European
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Course: Main Dish / Dinner
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Cooking Method: Stove Top
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Difficulty Level: Easy
Kitchen Equipment Needed
✅ Large pot or Dutch oven
✅ Wooden spoon
✅ Cutting board & knife
✅ Measuring cups & spoons
Irish Sausage & Cabbage Stew Recipe
Ingredients
✅ 6 pork sausages (Irish bangers or bratwurst)
✅ 1 tablespoon olive oil
✅ 1 onion, sliced
✅ 2 carrots, peeled & sliced
✅ 2 cloves garlic, minced
✅ ½ head green cabbage, chopped (~4 cups)
✅ 4 cups beef or chicken stock
✅ 1 bay leaf (optional)
✅ 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh thyme)
✅ Salt & black pepper, to taste
✅ Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Sausages
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
Add sausages and brown them on all sides (about 2–3 minutes per side).
Remove and set aside. (They’ll finish cooking in the stew.)
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
Add onion and carrots to the same pot. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until slightly softened.
Add garlic and cook for another minute, stirring frequently.
Step 3: Build the Stew Base
Stir in thyme and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper.
Return sausages to the pot.
Pour in stock, scraping up browned bits for added flavor.
Step 4: Add the Cabbage
Add chopped cabbage and stir. (It may seem like a lot, but it will wilt down.)
Step 5: Simmer the Stew
Bring to a gentle simmer.
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20–25 minutes until sausages are fully cooked (160°F/71°C) and vegetables are tender.
Step 6: Taste & Serve
Remove bay leaf.
Taste and adjust seasoning.
Ladle into bowls and garnish with parsley if desired.
Serve with crusty bread or mashed potatoes for a complete Irish experience.
Tips & Variations
✔ Beer Boost: Replace 1 cup of stock with Guinness or another dark stout for deep flavor.
✔ Thicker Stew: Stir 1 tablespoon flour or cornstarch into cold water, then add to stew and simmer until thickened.
✔ Add Veggies: Celery, potatoes, or peas make great additions.
✔ Make-Ahead: This stew tastes even better the next day!
FAQs
1️⃣ Can I use other sausages?
Yes! Bratwurst or mild Italian sausages work well too.
2️⃣ Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Absolutely—just brown sausages first, then cook everything on LOW for 6–7 hours.
3️⃣ Is this stew freezer-friendly?
Yes! Cool completely and store in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months.
4️⃣ Can I make it spicy?
Use spicy sausages or add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a kick.
5️⃣ What’s a good side dish?
Irish soda bread, mashed potatoes, or buttered crusty bread pair perfectly.
Irish Sausage & Cabbage Stew
Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
- Cutting board & knife
- Measuring cups & spoons
Ingredients
- 6 pork sausages Irish bangers or bratwurst
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion sliced
- 2 carrots peeled and sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ head green cabbage chopped (~4 cups)
- 4 cups beef or chicken stock
- 1 bay leaf optional
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Brown sausages in olive oil, 2–3 mins per side. Set aside.
- Sauté onion & carrots until soft. Add garlic & cook 1 min.
- Stir in thyme, bay leaf, salt & pepper. Return sausages.
- Pour in stock & stir in cabbage. Bring to simmer.
- Cover & cook 20–25 mins on low until sausages are cooked & veggies are tender.
- Adjust seasoning. Serve hot with garnish.
Notes
- Add Guinness for extra depth.
- Freeze leftovers for future cozy meals.
- Swap sausage types to suit your taste.