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Easy Pork And Cabbage Soup Recipe For Cozy Healthy Dinners - Simple, Comforting, And Satisfying

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground pork (or pork shoulder, diced small)
  • 1 medium green cabbage, cored and thinly sliced
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 carrots, sliced
  • 3 celery stalks, sliced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or pork/vegetable broth)
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 2 teaspoons fresh)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or neutral oil)
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Optional: 1 potato, diced; 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice; red pepper flakes; fresh parsley or dill for garnish

Method
 

  1. Brown the pork: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pot over medium-high. Add ground pork, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned, breaking it up, 5–7 minutes. Scoop to a bowl and drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: Add remaining oil. Cook onion, carrots, and celery with a pinch of salt until softened, 5–6 minutes. Stir in garlic and tomato paste; cook 1 minute until fragrant and darkened.
  3. Season the base: Add smoked paprika, thyme, and soy sauce. Stir to coat the veggies and bloom the spices for 30 seconds.
  4. Add broth and cabbage: Pour in broth and add bay leaf. Stir in sliced cabbage (and potato if using). Return browned pork to the pot.
  5. Simmer: Bring to a gentle boil, then lower heat. Cover partially and simmer 20–25 minutes, until cabbage is tender and flavors meld.
  6. Finish and balance: Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Stir in a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice for brightness. Add red pepper flakes if you want heat.
  7. Serve: Ladle into bowls and top with chopped parsley or dill. Serve with crusty bread or a scoop of rice if you like.