Description
A hearty and flavorful cabbage soup featuring crispy bacon, tender potatoes, and a rich tomato base, finished with a touch of cream for smoothness. Perfect for a comforting meal any day of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Base
- 6 strips bacon (cut into small pieces)
- 1 medium onion (chopped)
- 3 cups cabbage (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 (14 fluid ounce) can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 large Russet potato (peeled & diced)
- 1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: Cut the bacon into small pieces using kitchen shears and add them to a soup pot. Fry over medium-high heat until crispy, then use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon onto a paper towel-lined plate, leaving 2-3 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pot.
- Sauté Onions: Add the chopped onion to the bacon grease in the pot and sauté for 3-4 minutes over medium-high heat until softened and slightly translucent.
- Cook Cabbage: Stir in the chopped cabbage and continue cooking for 6-8 minutes until the cabbage and onions are lightly browned, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add Garlic: Mix in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the tomato sauce, chicken broth, paprika, Italian seasoning, diced potato, and approximately 3/4 of the cooked bacon pieces (reserve the remainder for garnish). Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer Soup: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, partially cover the pot with a lid left slightly ajar, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the heavy cream, then season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and garnish each serving with the reserved crispy bacon pieces.
Notes
- Use kitchen shears for easy bacon cutting and faster cooking.
- Keep some bacon fat in the pot to add extra flavor when sautéing vegetables.
- Partial lid coverage helps prevent splattering while allowing some steam to escape for better simmering.
- Adjust cream quantity for desired soup richness; substitute half-and-half for a lighter option.
- For a spicier version, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes with the paprika.
