Description
Hearty Irish bacon cabbage and potato soup celebrates classic comfort from Ireland’s culinary traditions. Rich flavors and creamy textures invite home cooks to savor each spoonful with genuine satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or milk
- 3 large potatoes, diced
- 4 cups green cabbage, shredded
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp thyme (optional)
Instructions
- Render bacon pieces in a spacious pot over medium-high heat until golden and crisp, approximately 5-7 minutes. Transfer crisped bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the rendered fat.
- Sauté diced onions and minced garlic in the bacon drippings until translucent and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
- Add chopped cabbage and cubed potatoes to the pot, stirring to coat with fat and allow initial caramelization, roughly 4-5 minutes.
- Pour chicken broth into the vegetable mixture, ensuring ingredients are fully submerged. Bring liquid to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Simmer the soup uncovered for 18-22 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender and cabbage has softened.
- Incorporate heavy cream, unsalted butter, dried thyme, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Gently stir and allow flavors to meld for an additional 3-4 minutes.
- Reintroduce crispy bacon pieces into the soup, stirring to distribute evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Ladle steaming hot soup into serving bowls, ensuring each portion contains a generous mix of vegetables and bacon.
Notes
- Swap bacon for turkey bacon or tempeh to create a lighter, lower-fat version that’s friendly for health-conscious eaters.
- Consider using vegetable broth instead of traditional broth to make the soup completely vegetarian while maintaining rich flavor profiles.
- Enhance protein content by adding white beans or diced chicken for a more substantial meal that keeps you feeling full longer.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium broth and controlling salt amounts, making the recipe more heart-healthy without sacrificing taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 240 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg