Cozy Irish Bacon, Cabbage, and Potato Soup Recipe for Comfort

Hearty irish bacon cabbage and potato soup warms your soul on chilly evenings.

Cold weather calls for comforting meals that hug you from the inside.

Kitchens fill with delicious aromas when this traditional recipe simmers gently.

Robust ingredients blend perfectly to create a satisfying dish everyone adores.

Simple techniques make this soup surprisingly easy to prepare.

Chunky vegetables and crispy bacon pieces invite hungry diners to the table.

Savor each spoonful and let this classic Irish comfort food transport you to cozy countryside kitchens.

Why Irish Bacon Cabbage and Potato Soup Feels Like Home

• Perfect weeknight soup that feels like a warm Irish hug from home.
• Customize with vegetable stock for vegetarian friends or blend to desired consistency without complex techniques.
• Uses simple, affordable ingredients like potatoes, cabbage, and bacon to create a hearty meal without breaking the bank.
• Captures traditional Irish cooking spirit with each spoonful, transporting you to cozy countryside kitchens with minimal cooking skills required.

Ingredients to Make Irish Bacon Potato Soup

• Irish Bacon: Provides rich, smoky flavor and crispy texture for the soup. Best when thinly sliced and high-quality.
• Chicken or Vegetable Stock: Foundation of the soup, adding depth and savory base. Low-sodium options work well.

• Onion: Adds sweet, aromatic base to the soup. Fresh and firm onions recommended.
• Garlic: Provides robust, pungent flavor. Fresh garlic cloves preferred over pre-minced.
• Potato: Brings creamy texture and hearty substance. Starchy varieties like Russet work best.
• Cabbage: Adds nutritious green element and subtle sweetness. Fresh, crisp cabbage preferred.

• Heavy Cream: Offers luxurious, rich creaminess. Optional but recommended for depth.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing flavors. Fresh ground pepper ideal.
• Parsley: Fresh herb for bright garnish and color. Adds fresh, clean finish to the soup.
• Crusty Bread: Perfect accompaniment for dipping and soaking up soup.

How to Simmer Up Irish Comfort in a Bowl

Step 1: Crisp Up the Bacon

Cook chopped bacon in a large pot over medium heat until golden and crunchy. Transfer crispy bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, keeping the delicious bacon fat in the pot.

• Bacon

Step 2: Soften the Aromatics

Sauté diced onions in the bacon fat until translucent and tender. Add minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.

• Onions
• Garlic

Step 3: Build the Soup Base

Pour chicken stock and water into the pot. Add diced potatoes and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes become fork-tender.

• Chicken stock
• Water
• Potatoes

Step 4: Add Leafy Greens

Toss shredded cabbage into the simmering soup. Cook until cabbage wilts and becomes tender but still maintains a slight crunch.

• Cabbage

Step 5: Create Creamy Texture

Use an immersion blender to partially blend the soup. Leave some chunks for a rustic, hearty feel. Alternatively, scoop out a portion, blend separately, and return to the pot.

Step 6: Finish with Richness

Stir in heavy cream to create a luxurious, velvety consistency. Season with salt and pepper to enhance flavors.

• Heavy cream
• Salt
• Pepper

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

Ladle soup into warm bowls. Sprinkle crispy bacon bits and fresh chopped parsley on top. Serve alongside crusty bread for a complete meal.

• Crispy bacon
• Fresh parsley
• Crusty bread

Cooking Tips for Thick, Savory Irish Soup

• Maximize Bacon Flavor: Render the bacon slowly to extract maximum flavor and create crispy bits that add delightful texture to your soup.
• Prevent Mushy Vegetables: Cut potatoes and cabbage into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking and maintain their desirable texture.
• Customize Creaminess: Control the soup's consistency by blending partially or fully, depending on your preferred thickness and mouthfeel.
• Elevate with Herbs: Enhance the soup's depth by adding fresh parsley or thyme during cooking for a bright, aromatic finish.
• Dietary Adaptation: Substitute dairy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version or use vegetable stock and plant-based bacon for a vegetarian alternative.

Store and Reheat This Irish Soup Properly

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Avoid freezing if cream has been added, as it may separate.
• Warm soup over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken stock or water to restore original consistency if needed. Heat until steaming hot.
• Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming. Check temperature before serving.

What to Eat with Irish Bacon Potato Soup

• Select a light, refreshing Irish ale like Smithwick's to complement the soup's rich, hearty flavors and cut through the creamy texture.
• Match the soup with traditional Irish soda bread, whose dense, slightly tangy profile perfectly balances the soup's savory bacon and potato elements.
• Prepare a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette to add brightness and contrast to the soup's heavy, comforting profile.
• Sprinkle aged Irish cheddar on top or serve alongside the soup to introduce a tangy, sharp note that elevates the overall taste experience.

Irish-Inspired Twists for This Hearty Classic

• Vegetarian Potato Cabbage Soup: Replace bacon with smoked tofu or tempeh, sautéed until crispy. Use vegetable stock and add nutritional yeast for depth of flavor. Perfect for plant-based diets.
• Gluten-Free Hearty Version: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free. Replace regular stock with homemade bone broth or gluten-free vegetable stock. Add extra herbs like thyme for enhanced taste.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Swap potatoes with cauliflower florets to reduce carbohydrates. Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream for a lighter consistency. Garnish with crispy pancetta or turkey bacon for protein.
• Dairy-Free Soup Option: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream. Use olive oil instead of bacon fat for sautéing vegetables. Add smoked paprika for extra richness and depth of flavor.

Irish Bacon Cabbage And Potato Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Irish bacon cabbage and potato soup blends rustic comfort with rich flavors from traditional Irish cuisine. Warming spoons of this classic dish invite you to savor a delicious journey through Ireland’s culinary heritage.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 6 slices thick-cut bacon (or Irish back bacon), chopped

Vegetables:

• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 medium potatoes (such as Yukon Gold), peeled and diced
• 2 cups (about 200 grams / 7 ounces) green cabbage, shredded

Liquid and Seasoning:

• 4 cups (1 liter / 33.8 fluid ounces) chicken or vegetable stock
• 2 cups (500 milliliters / 16.9 fluid ounces) water
• ½ cup (120 milliliters / 4 fluid ounces) heavy cream (optional, for a creamy version)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Serving:

• Crusty bread

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Instructions

1. Render the bacon in a spacious pot over medium flame until it transforms into crispy, golden-brown fragments. Extract the bacon pieces with a perforated utensil, preserving the flavorful rendered fat within the pot.
2. Introduce diced onions into the bacon-infused fat, sautéing until they become translucent and fragrant. Incorporate minced garlic and allow it to release its aromatic essence for approximately 60 seconds.
3. Introduce diced potatoes to the vegetable mixture, then cascade chicken or vegetable stock and water into the pot. Elevate the temperature until the liquid reaches a vigorous boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
4. Allow the potatoes to tenderize for 10-12 minutes, periodically monitoring their softness with a fork.
5. Fold shredded cabbage into the simmering liquid, continuing to cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until the cabbage wilts and becomes tender.
6. For a luxurious, velvety consistency, utilize an immersion blender to partially puree the soup. Maintain some chunky elements to preserve a rustic character.
7. Enrich the soup with a cascade of heavy cream, stirring thoroughly. Season with salt and freshly cracked pepper to elevate the flavor profile.
8. Transfer the steaming soup into serving bowls, generously garnishing with the previously crisped bacon fragments and freshly chopped parsley. Accompany with a crusty bread slice for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Enhance bacon crispiness by starting with cold pan and cooking slowly to render more fat and achieve perfect golden-brown texture.
• Choose thick-cut Irish bacon for authentic flavor, but regular bacon works well as substitute if traditional cut unavailable.
• Create dairy-free version by replacing heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream, maintaining rich and creamy consistency.
• Boost nutritional value by adding additional vegetables like carrots or celery during sautéing stage for extra depth and nutrients.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg