Description
Hearty Irish bacon cabbage and potato soup brings comfort straight from Ireland’s rustic kitchens. Creamy, savory ingredients blend perfectly, delivering a warming embrace that celebrates traditional culinary heritage while satisfying hungry souls.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 6 slices Irish bacon or thick-cut bacon, diced
Vegetables:
- 3 large potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cups green cabbage, shredded
- 1 cup carrots, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquid and Seasonings:
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Render bacon in a large pot over medium heat until crispy and golden, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the rendered fat in the pot.
- Sauté onions in the bacon drippings for 4-5 minutes until translucent and softened. Add garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, releasing its aromatic essence.
- Pour chicken broth into the pot and introduce diced potatoes. Bring the liquid to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer for 10-12 minutes until potatoes are partially tender.
- Fold in shredded cabbage, sliced carrots, bay leaf, dried thyme, and black pepper. Continue simmering for 15-18 minutes, allowing vegetables to soften and flavors to harmonize.
- If desired, incorporate heavy cream and gently warm the soup without allowing it to boil, which could cause the cream to separate.
- Eliminate the bay leaf and taste the soup, adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper as needed to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Distribute the soup into serving bowls, topping each portion with the reserved crispy bacon bits and a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- Swap bacon for turkey bacon or tempeh to create a lighter, vegetarian-friendly version that maintains similar smoky flavors.
- Consider using low-sodium chicken broth to control salt intake and customize the soup’s seasoning to personal taste preferences.
- Dice potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking and prevent some pieces from becoming mushy while others remain undercooked.
- Rinse cabbage thoroughly before shredding to remove any dirt or debris, ensuring a clean and fresh taste in the final soup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Irish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg