Marolles-Style Smoked Pork & Cabbage Stew

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty, slow-simmered stew honoring Brussels' Marolles district, featuring smoky pork shoulder, tender cabbage, and root vegetables in a rich, flavorful broth. This belgian-inspired soups ready in about 100 minutes pairs smoked pork shoulder, savoy cabbage, carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 490 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.

★ 4.3 (15 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 80 min Serves 4 Belgian cuisine 490 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat pork shoulder dry with paper towels; season with salt and pepper. Melt 1 tbsp butter in a large pot over medium-high heat and sear pork in batches until golden brown on all sides—do not overcrowd the pot.
  2. Step 2: Remove pork and set aside. Add chopped onion and celery to the pot; cook for 5 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir constantly for 1 minute to form a paste, then gradually whisk in beef broth until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Return pork to pot, add diced carrots, thyme, and bay leaves; bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Step 5: Cover and reduce heat to low; simmer for 1 hour until pork is tender. Add shredded cabbage and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until cabbage is tender but still bright green.
  6. Step 6: Remove bay leaves; taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with crusty bread for dipping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Marolles-Style Smoked Pork & Cabbage Stew take to make?

Total time is about 100 minutes (20 min prep + 80 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 Marolles-Style Smoked Pork & Cabbage Stew?

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 pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Marolles-Style Smoked Pork & Cabbage Stew?

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 Marolles-Style Smoked Pork & Cabbage Stew 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 Marolles-Style Smoked Pork & Cabbage Stew?

Belgian soups 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.

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