Hearty & Allergy-Friendly: Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Potato & Sausage Soup (Instant Pot & Slow Cooker)
A truly comforting, deeply flavorful soup brimming with savory Italian sausage and wholesome vegetables, designed to warm you from the inside out this winter. This incredibly adaptable recipe can be effortlessly prepared in either your Instant Pot for a quick meal or a Slow Cooker for a hands-off approach, with detailed instructions provided for both methods. What truly sets this soup apart is its exceptional allergy-friendliness: it is naturally free of gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts, making it a perfect, top-8-free choice that caters to a wide range of dietary needs and restrictions.
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Why This Potato & Sausage Soup is Your New Winter Favorite
As the temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, there’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of soup to bring comfort and joy. This Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Potato & Sausage Soup isn’t just another recipe; it’s a winter essential, especially if you’re navigating food allergies or simply seeking a wholesome, delicious meal. For me, living in Utah where winters can be notoriously long and snowy, a robust collection of allergy-friendly soup recipes is a must-have to get through the season.
The inspiration for this soup came from a beloved classic: Italian sausage. Its distinct, savory flavor, often a star in pasta dishes, translates beautifully into a rich and inviting soup broth. Paired with tender potatoes – a perennial kid-favorite – and nutrient-rich carrots, this soup transforms into a hearty meal that satisfies everyone at the table. One of its best features is its flexibility: feel free to adjust the quantity of vegetables to suit your family’s preferences. Love more carrots? Add an extra one! Have some zucchini on hand? Toss it in. This recipe is designed to adapt to your pantry and your family’s taste buds.
Instant Pot vs. Slow Cooker: Your Choice, Perfect Results
One of the most fantastic aspects of this potato and sausage soup is its adaptability to two popular cooking methods: the Instant Pot and the slow cooker. This flexibility means you can choose the method that best fits your schedule and kitchen tools without compromising on flavor or quality. I’ve personally made this soup both ways, and honestly, I love the results from both. There’s no bad choice here!
If you’re like me and often find yourself remembering dinner plans just an hour before mealtime, the Instant Pot is a game-changer. It allows you to achieve a perfectly cooked, rich soup in under 45 minutes – a true lifesaver on busy weeknights. The Instant Pot’s pressure cooking functionality locks in flavors and tenderizes ingredients rapidly, making it an ideal choice for those spontaneous soup cravings or when you simply forgot to prep dinner ahead of time.
On the other hand, the slow cooker offers the convenience of a hands-off approach. You can toss all the ingredients in before heading out for the day, and return home to a kitchen filled with the comforting aroma of a ready-to-eat meal. While it takes several hours, the slow cooker excels at melding flavors slowly, creating a deeply integrated and incredibly tender soup. It’s perfect for those days when you prefer minimal effort and maximum reward upon arrival. Both methods yield a delicious, satisfying soup, so pick the one that suits your lifestyle best!
Nourishment and Comfort During Cold & Flu Season
Beyond its delicious taste and ease of preparation, this soup has served as a reliable source of comfort during challenging times. Like many families, we’ve often battled various colds and even the flu during the harsh winter months. There’s something inherently healing about a warm, rich broth, and this potato and sausage soup truly hits the spot when you’re feeling under the weather. Its savory depth and nourishing ingredients seem to provide a much-needed boost, making you feel a little better with every spoonful.
With older children in school, it often feels like we’re constantly exposed to new germs. While we hope our immune systems build up over time, having easy, comforting recipes like this on hand is invaluable. When sickness strikes and cooking a complex meal feels impossible, this simple, hearty soup comes to the rescue, offering both sustenance and a gentle embrace. May your winters be filled with comfort, health, and delicious, warming soups. And if sickness does come your way, know you have plenty of empathy and this easy dinner idea to help you through! Let’s keep savoring good soups and holding out for the arrival of spring.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Potato & Sausage Soup
Here are a list of frequently asked questions to help you make this soup like a pro!
What kind of potatoes are best for this Potato & Sausage Soup?
For this hearty soup, you truly can’t go wrong with most potato varieties. I often use russet potatoes because they absorb flavors well and become wonderfully tender. However, red potatoes or yellow potatoes (like Yukon Golds) are also fantastic choices. Red potatoes hold their shape a bit more, offering a slightly firmer bite, while yellow potatoes lend a creamy texture. Choose your favorite, or whatever you have on hand!
Do I need to peel the potatoes for this easy instant pot soup?
Whether to peel the potatoes or leave the skins on is entirely a matter of personal preference and depends on your family’s tastes. Both methods work perfectly fine! I usually peel mine because I have picky eaters who prefer their potatoes without skin. If you opt to leave the skins on, ensure you scrub them thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris before cubing. Leaving the skins on can also add a little extra fiber and rustic appeal to your soup.
What makes this Potato & Sausage Soup gluten-free?
The inherently gluten-free nature of this soup stems from its base ingredients. Unlike many other soups, this recipe intentionally omits noodles, which are often a common source of gluten. The primary consideration for ensuring this soup remains 100% gluten-free lies in diligently reading the labels of all store-bought ingredients. While canned diced tomatoes and canned white beans are typically gluten-free, formulations can change. It is always wise to double-check labels, even for products you’ve purchased before, to confirm that no hidden gluten-containing ingredients have been added. This vigilance ensures your delicious soup remains safe for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
What broth do you recommend that is gluten & dairy free?
Finding a truly allergy-friendly broth can sometimes be a challenge, as many commercial brands might contain hidden wheat, dairy, or other allergens. My personal favorite is Orrington Farms Broth Base. It’s incredibly flavorful, and a single container lasts a long time since you only need two teaspoons per cup of water. They also offer excellent vegan and beef base options, ensuring there’s a choice for various dietary preferences. Always check the labels, but this brand has been a reliable go-to for allergy-conscious cooking.
What if you don’t have white beans, can you sub it with anything else?
Beans contribute a wonderful additional texture and a boost of protein to this soup. While white beans are preferred for their mild flavor and how beautifully they complement the bright red broth, you are absolutely welcome to use any type of canned beans you have on hand. Kidney beans, cannellini beans (which are a type of white bean), or even black beans could work, though they will alter the visual appeal and flavor slightly. The goal is to add that creamy, satisfying element, so don’t hesitate to get creative with what’s in your pantry!
Does this instant pot potato & sausage soup freeze well?
Yes, this soup freezes beautifully, making it an excellent meal prep option for busy weeks. To freeze, first allow the soup to cool completely to room temperature. You might notice a fatty film rise to the top as it chills, particularly from the Italian sausage. If this bothers you, you can easily skim it off before transferring the soup to freezer-safe containers. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. Remember to stir thoroughly before serving to redistribute all those delicious flavors and textures.
Can you change the amount of vegetables in this slow cooker potato & sausage soup?
Absolutely! This soup recipe is remarkably flexible and forgiving when it comes to vegetable quantities. Think of it as a base that you can customize to your liking or what’s available in your fridge. If you’re out of celery, simply omit it. If your family adores carrots, feel free to use three instead of two – no big deal! Have a zucchini that needs to be used up? Chop it and throw it in. Spinach or kale can also be stirred in during the last 15 minutes of cooking. The key is to ensure you maintain a good balance: enough vegetables for a hearty bite in every spoonful, but not so much that it crowds the pot and reduces the delightful broth. It’s your kitchen, your rules!
Now that you’re armed with all the knowledge about creating this incredible gluten-free and dairy-free potato and sausage soup, it’s time to get cooking! Enjoy every comforting, flavorful spoonful.
Potato & Sausage Soup (Gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanut & tree nut free; top 8 free. Instant Pot & Slow Cooker Versions too!)
6 servings
10 minutes
30 minutes
40 minutes
A spicy, comforting soup full of sausage and veggies to warm you up this winter. This can also be made in either your instant pot or slow cooker (with instructions for both!). This soup is also free of: gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts and tree nuts and is top-8-free!
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 2 potatoes, cubed
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 1 carrot diced
- One 15-oz can diced tomatoes, do not drain
- 1 15-oz can white beans, do not drain
- 4.5 cups vegetable or chicken broth (I use homemade, if you use store bought, look for a wheat free version)
- 1 tsp parsley, dried
Instructions
- INSTANT POT DIRECTIONS:
- Turn the instant pot to saute and add the oil. Add the onions and cook until soft.
- Next, add the sausage and cook until browned.
- Turn the saute function off, and add the rest of the ingredients–being sure to add put the entire cans of beans and tomatoes–liquid and all.
- Next, lock the lid and turn it to “sealing”. Hit “manual” and then use the plus or minus buttons to reach 10 minutes. Once it’s done cooking, release the steam, and serve. Garnish with additional parsley if desired.
- SLOW COOKER DIRECTIONS:
- In a saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft.
- Next, add the sausage and cook until browned. Drain, if so desired.
- Add the sausage and onion mixture, as well as the rest of the ingredients to the slow cooker–being sure to add put the entire cans of beans and tomatoes–liquid and all. Set on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 4-6 hours. Cook until the potatoes are soft. When ready to serve, garnish with additional parsley if so desired.
More Delicious Gluten & Dairy Free Soup Recipes:
If you love this comforting potato and sausage soup, be sure to explore my other delicious gluten-free and dairy-free soup creations. Expand your allergy-friendly repertoire with these fantastic options:
- Instant Pot Dairy Free Loaded Baked Potato Soup
- Instant Pot Gluten & Dairy Free Chicken, Mushroom and Wild Rice Soup
- Allergy Friendly Taco Soup
- Gluten & Dairy Free Thai Coconut Soup
- Potato & Sausage Soup (Yes, this one! It’s that good!)
- Slow Cooker Green Enchilada Soup
- Slow Cooker Pizza Soup
- Gluten Free Vegan Minestrone
- Dairy Free Tomato Basil Soup
- Gluten Free Dairy Free Chicken and Rice Soup
- Dairy Free Crack Chicken Noodle Soup
- *Don’t forget I have an entire winter meal plan too!
Recommendations from Other Bloggers:
If your diet is a little more flexible and you’re looking for even more soup inspiration, here are a few highly-rated recipes from other wonderful food bloggers:
- Gluten Free Curried Cauliflower & Broccoli Soup by Salted Plains
- Cheeseburger Soup by The Clean Eating Couple
Adapted from: Whole Food Bellies
DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT, SO YOU DON’T LOSE IT. BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MY OTHER ALLERGY-FRIENDLYPINTEREST BOARDS.
