Traditional Irish Vegetable Soup
Cozy up with a bowl of Traditional Irish Vegetable Soup made with hearty potatoes, tender cabbage, and savory Irish bacon. This comforting Irish Soup brings the warmth and simplicity of old-world cooking into your home with wholesome ingredients and rich, rustic flavor. A true tribute to Irish soup recipes, it’s the kind of vegetable soup recipe you’ll return to all season long—perfect for chilly evenings, family dinners, or cozy weekends. Serve with crusty bread for a soul-satisfying meal straight from the heart of Ireland.
Ingredients
- 6 slices of Irish bacon or thick-cut bacon diced
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 large potatoes peeled and diced
- 4 cups cabbage chopped
- 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth for a lighter version
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced bacon and cook until crisp and golden, about 5–7 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the flavorful fat in the pot.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the bacon drippings. Cook for 4–5 minutes until fragrant and translucent—this creates a flavorful foundation for your soup.
- Add Potatoes and Broth: Stir in the diced potatoes, ensuring they’re evenly coated. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 10–12 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender.
- Stir in Cabbage and Bacon: Add chopped cabbage and return the bacon to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for another 5–7 minutes, just until the cabbage softens but still retains a light crunch.
- Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the hot soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve with thick slices of warm bread or a side salad for a well-rounded dinner recipe.
Notes
- Add more veg: Toss in carrots, celery, or leeks to add layers of flavor and extra nutrition.
- Vegetarian option: Skip the bacon and use smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke for a meat-free twist.
- Storage: This soup stores beautifully! Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.