Description
Hearty Irish bacon cabbage and potato soup brings comfort from traditional Irish kitchens. Creamy potatoes, salty bacon, and tender cabbage combine for a warming meal that connects you to Ireland’s culinary heritage.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
Vegetables:
- 3 large potatoes, peeled and diced
- 3 cups cabbage, shredded
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
Instructions
- Render bacon in a large pot over medium heat until golden and crisp, creating a flavorful base for the soup. Transfer crispy bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving rendered fat.
- Sauté diced onions and minced garlic in the bacon drippings until translucent and aromatic, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot, then add diced potatoes, sliced carrots, seasoned with salt, pepper, and thyme. Elevate heat to bring the mixture to a robust boil.
- Reduce temperature to low, allowing the soup to gently simmer for 15 minutes, ensuring potatoes become tender and vegetables soften.
- Introduce shredded cabbage and previously crisped bacon into the simmering liquid, continuing to cook for an additional 10 minutes until cabbage wilts and flavors meld.
- Incorporate heavy cream, stirring thoroughly to create a rich, velvety texture. Taste and recalibrate seasoning as needed with additional salt and pepper.
- Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls, garnishing with freshly chopped green onions for a vibrant, aromatic finish.
Notes
- Choose thick-cut Irish bacon for maximum flavor and authentic texture, ensuring a rich, smoky base for the soup.
- Keep bacon crispy by draining on paper towels before adding back to the soup, preventing soggy pieces.
- Slice cabbage thinly for quicker cooking and better integration with other ingredients, creating a more harmonious soup texture.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with low-fat milk or skip dairy entirely to make the recipe more diet-friendly and heart-healthy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg