Description
This Irish Bacon Cabbage and Potato Soup is a comforting and hearty dish that combines tender diced potatoes, shredded cabbage, and savory Irish bacon in a creamy broth. Perfect for warming up on chilly days, this soup features a blend of aromatic vegetables, flavorful spices, and a touch of heavy cream for richness.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
Vegetables
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
- 4 cups cabbage, shredded
Meat
- 8 ounces Irish bacon, diced
Seasonings & Cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Melt Butter: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat to create the base for sautéing the vegetables.
- Sauté Onion: Add the diced onion to the pot and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute so it becomes fragrant without burning.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and water, stirring well to combine with the onion and garlic mixture.
- Add Potatoes: Add the diced potatoes to the pot and increase the heat to medium-high to bring the soup to a simmer.
- Simmer Potatoes: Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for about 15 minutes until the potatoes begin softening.
- Add Cabbage: Stir in the shredded cabbage evenly throughout the soup for even cooking.
- Add Irish Bacon: Mix in the diced Irish bacon, distributing it well so its flavor infuses the soup.
- Season Soup: Add salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes, stirring to blend the spices uniformly.
- Continue Simmering: Let the soup simmer for another 10 to 15 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the cabbage softens.
- Add Cream: Stir in the heavy cream once the vegetables are cooked thoroughly to enrich the soup.
- Heat Through: Cook for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the soup to warm fully.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the soup and add more salt, pepper, or spices if desired to enhance flavor.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with extra bacon if desired. Serve hot and enjoy the comforting, hearty flavors.
Notes
- For a thicker consistency, partially mash some of the potatoes before adding the cabbage.
- Irish bacon can be substituted with thick-cut smoked bacon or pancetta if unavailable.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to suit your preferred spice level.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content if desired.
- This soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
