Description
Hearty Irish bacon cabbage and potato soup showcases classic comfort from Ireland’s culinary traditions. Rustic ingredients blend seamlessly, offering you a warm embrace of traditional flavors and nourishing simplicity.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Meat:
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
Vegetables:
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 3 cups cabbage, shredded
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup milk or heavy cream (optional)
Instructions
- Render bacon in a large pot over medium heat until golden and crisp, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the rendered fat.
- Sauté diced onions and minced garlic in the bacon drippings until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add chicken broth, chopped potatoes, shredded cabbage, and sliced carrots to the pot, incorporating thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Increase heat to high and bring the liquid to a rolling boil, then immediately reduce temperature to low, creating a gentle simmer.
- Cover and cook for 20 minutes, allowing vegetables to soften and flavors to meld, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Pour in heavy cream or milk, creating a rich and velvety texture, and return the crispy bacon pieces to the soup.
- Continue simmering for an additional 5 minutes to marry the ingredients and warm through completely.
- Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, optionally garnishing with fresh chopped parsley or chives for a burst of color and herbal brightness.
Notes
- Use thick-cut Irish bacon for authentic flavor and richer texture, enhancing the traditional profile of the soup.
- Consider removing bacon fat for a lighter version, substituting with olive oil for healthier preparation.
- Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and prevent overcooking delicate ingredients like cabbage.
- Choose waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold for better soup consistency and smoother texture without breaking down completely.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 175 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg