Description
Hearty Irish bacon cabbage and potato soup brings classic comfort from Ireland’s culinary traditions. Home cooks discover a warming blend of smoky bacon, tender vegetables, and creamy potatoes that connects directly to Irish heritage.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Vegetables:
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 3 cups potatoes, diced
- 2 cups cabbage, shredded
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 carrot, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquid and Broth:
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup milk or heavy cream (optional)
Seasonings and Fats:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Render bacon in a spacious pot over medium heat until golden and crisp, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Utilize the residual bacon drippings to sauté diced onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant.
- Pour in rich broth, then introduce cubed potatoes, shredded cabbage, and sliced carrots into the pot.
- Season the mixture with aromatic thyme, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
- Elevate heat to generate a robust boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer for 20-25 minutes, allowing vegetables to soften and blend their essences.
- Incorporate creamy milk or heavy cream along with a pat of butter, stirring gently to create a luxurious texture.
- Continue simmering for an additional 5 minutes to meld the flavors and achieve a harmonious consistency.
- Ladle the steaming soup into serving bowls and crown with the previously crisped bacon pieces.
- Serve immediately while piping hot, offering a comforting and rustic Irish-inspired culinary experience.
Notes
- Bacon Crispness Trick: Slice bacon into smaller pieces before cooking to ensure even, perfectly crispy texture without burning.
- Vegetable Cutting Technique: Chop vegetables uniformly to guarantee consistent cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
- Dairy Flexibility: For dairy-free option, substitute milk or cream with coconut milk or vegetable broth to maintain creamy consistency without losing flavor depth.
- Flavor Enhancement: Toast thyme briefly in the pot before adding liquid to release more intense herbal aromatics and boost overall soup complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 195 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg