Cabbage and Apple Soup with Smoked Bacon
A comforting, slightly sweet soup featuring cabbage, tart apples, and smoky bacon in a savory broth. This irish-inspired st. patrick’s day ready in about 55 minutes pairs smoked bacon, onion, carrot for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 oz (113g), diced smoked bacon
- 1/2 cup (75g), finely diced onion
- 1/2 cup (60g), diced carrot
- 2 cups (100g), finely shredded cabbage
- 1 medium, cored and diced apple
- 4 cups (950ml) chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, cook 4 oz diced smoked bacon over medium heat for 5 minutes until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving the fat in the pot.
- Step 2: Add 1/2 cup finely diced onion and 1/2 cup diced carrot to the pot and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 cups shredded cabbage, 1 diced medium apple, 4 cups chicken broth, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Step 4: Stir in the reserved bacon and heat through. Serve hot with a swirl of 1/4 cup heavy cream.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cabbage and Apple Soup with Smoked Bacon take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cabbage and Apple Soup with Smoked Bacon?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep smoked bacon from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cabbage and Apple Soup with Smoked Bacon?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cabbage and Apple Soup with Smoked Bacon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cabbage and Apple Soup with Smoked Bacon?
Irish st. patrick’s day like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
