Irish, bacon, cabbage and potato soup
A hearty Irish soup recipe made with smoky bacon, soft cabbage and tender potatoes - pure Irish comfort food in a bowl. This budget‑friendly bacon, cabbage and potato soup is rustic, flavoursome and perfect for a cosy family dinner. An easy Irish bacon stew–style dish that’s warming, wholesome and ideal for slow cooker days or quick weeknight cooking.
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Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 white onions
- 4 celery sticks
- 3 carrots
- 200 grams Smoked bacon lardons
- 6 cloves Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Dried Thyme
- 4 medium potatoes (Maris piper are great for this recipe)
- ½ savoy cabbage
- chicken stock
- salt and pepper
- corn flour
Instructions
- Prep the potatoes - Peel and chop the potatoes into bite‑sized pieces. Bring a pan of water to the boil, parboil for 5–8 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- Cook the bacon - Add the smoked bacon lardons to a large pot and sauté until crispy and the kitchen smells incredible.
- Sauté the veg - Dice the onions, carrots and celery. Add them to the pot with the bacon along with the dried thyme and garlic. Cook for about 8 minutes until softened.
- Add the stock - Pour in 2000ml chicken stock, bring to a simmer and cook for 12–15 minutes.
- Add potatoes & cabbage - Finely shred the savoy cabbage. Add it to the pot along with the parboiled potatoes. Simmer for 8–10 minutes, being careful not to overcook the potatoes.
- Season well - Taste the soup and season generously with salt and pepper. Adjust to your liking.
- Optional thickening - If you prefer a thicker, stew‑like finish, mix cornflour with a little cold water and stir it in following the packet instructions.
- Serve - Ladle into bowls and enjoy a warming, rustic homemade soup that’s pure Irish comfort. Serve with buttered bread.
Notes
- Proper Irish comfort food - This Irish soup recipe is simple, hearty and full of flavour - classic Irish comfort food without any fuss.
- Smoky depth - Using smoked bacon lardons gives the soup that rich, savoury base you expect from a good Irish bacon stew or smoked bacon soup.
- Budget‑friendly and filling - With cabbage, potatoes and everyday veg, it’s a brilliant budget friendly soup recipe that still feels like a hearty family dinner.
- Rustic and homemade - Keep the veg chunky for that proper rustic homemade soup vibe - it’s what makes a great Irish vegetable soup.
- Slow cooker friendly - This recipe works beautifully in the slow cooker too - just reduce the stock slightly and add the cabbage later so it stays tender.