A hearty bowl of pork and cabbage soup with steam rising, garnished with fresh parsley

Large batch soups

pork and cabbage soup

By Beatrice

Published: 07 Mar 2025

This Pork and Cabbage Soup recipe is a comforting classic, perfect for a chilly evening or when you need a hearty and flavorful meal. I love making this soup when it’s raining outside, it’s incredibly homey and nostalgic. The tender pork, combined with sweet and slightly tangy cabbage, creates a delicious and satisfying dish that’s simple to make but big on taste. It's a recipe that's been passed down in my family for generations, and it's always a crowd-pleaser. I remember my grandmother always saying this is the most important recipe to learn.
Close-up shot of a bowl of pork and cabbage soup, highlighting the texture of the pork and cabbage
What's great about this recipe is its adaptability! You can easily customize it to your liking. Maybe you want to add some diced potatoes for extra heartiness, or perhaps a bit of caraway seed for a unique flavor profile. Feel free to play around with the spices and seasonings to discover your own perfect variation. You can even try adding some smoked meats, to add a smoky aroma. I really love this recipe because it’s easy, quick, and can be adapted according to any taste!
A person spooning pork and cabbage soup into a bowl

Required Equipments

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Wooden spoon or spatula

Pork-and-Cabbage-Soup

A comforting and flavorful soup featuring tender pork and sweet cabbage. Easy to make and highly adaptable to your taste preferences.

⏳ Yield & Time

Yield: 4 servings

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 60 minutes

Total Time:

🍽 Ingredients

📖 Instructions

  1. First things first, grab that pork loin and give it a good rinse under cold water. Pat it dry with some paper towels — nobody likes a soggy pork loin. Then, chop that beauty into about 1-inch cubes. This ensures even cooking.
  2. Next up, the aromatics! Finely chop one medium onion and two cloves of garlic. If you're feeling fancy, you can even mince them extra fine. I like to think of it as giving the soup a little extra love.
  3. Heat about 2 tablespoons of olive oil in your large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add those chopped onions and garlic and sauté them for about 5 minutes, or until they’re nice and translucent. Don't burn them, though. We want sweet and savory, not bitter!
  4. Now, add the star of the show — the pork! Toss those 1-inch cubes into the pot with the onions and garlic. Season generously with salt and pepper. I usually use about a teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, but taste as you go; tastes vary wildly!
  5. Brown those pork cubes until golden brown on all sides. This step adds a wonderful depth of flavor to the soup. Don't rush it; take your time! Once browned, set the pork aside while you prep the next batch of deliciousness.
  6. Chop that cabbage! Use a large head of cabbage and shred it—a food processor is an excellent tool for this. Or you can just do it by hand. No judgement! Add it to the pot once the pork is set aside.
  7. Now pour in about 6 cups of chicken broth (or vegetable broth, if you prefer). We’re not going to go completely crazy with liquid, you want a hearty soup and not broth with meat and cabbage.
  8. Return the browned pork cubes to the pot. Give everything a good stir to make sure everything is coated in that delicious broth. Bring this mixture to a boil.
  9. Once it boils, reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 1 hour, or until the pork is extremely tender and easily shreds with a fork. If you want to use a slow cooker, go for it! It will turn out wonderful, trust me.
  10. After an hour, check the pork and carefully shred it with two forks. Some people like using the back of a spoon but i feel that forks makes it more evenly shredded.
  11. Once you’ve shredded the pork, taste the soup and adjust seasoning as needed. You might want to add more salt, pepper, or even a dash of your favorite hot sauce. Feel free to experiment! I added a pinch of smoked paprika last time and it was divine!
  12. Serve hot, with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy the culinary masterpiece you've just created!

📝 Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use bone-in pork loin.
  • Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or green beans.
  • Adjust seasoning to your taste preferences.
  • Serve with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh herbs for extra flavor

🍎 Nutrition

Calories: 350kcal

Protein: 30g

Fat: 15g

Carbohydrates: 25g

Fiber: 5g

Calcium: 70mg

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SavoryTouch offers general content intended solely for informational purposes. The information provided on this site is not a substitute for professional nutritional, dietary, or culinary advice. Always seek the advice of qualified professionals regarding any dietary concerns, health conditions, or food-related decisions.

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