Polish cabbage soup - reminiscent of the Polish soup called kapusniak - is traditionally made to be Paleo-friendly. While there are hundreds of variations of this soup, its base is made of pork, diced potatoes, carrots, various cabbages, tomatoes, and spices.
The stand-out ingredients of this dish are cabbage and sauerkraut. Kraut gives this dish a slightly sour taste which pairs well with the salty, savory flavors of pork.
You can make your own sauerkraut at home or spend a bit more money and buy it at the grocery store. Bubbies makes a great sauerkraut that is available at most health food stores.
Many traditional Polish cabbage soup recipes call for the use of kielbasa or other types of smoked Polish pork sausages. However, pork ribs are generally less expensive and tasty, too! Serve this recipe on its own and enjoy a warm, filling bowl of this national Polish treasure. You'll probably have leftovers, so enjoy this later in the week, too!
Polish-Style Pork Cabbage Soup Recipe
Serves: 8 Prep: 20 min Cook: 1 h
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 lb. pork spare ribs
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 garlic clove, diced
- 1 head of cabbage, shredded
- 1 cup fresh sauerkraut
- 1 carrot, shredded
- 4 russet or sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 cups diced tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken or beef stock
- 1 tbsp. caraway seeds
- ½ lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Cooking fat
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
- Place the pork ribs in a saucepan and fill it with water.
- Bring to a boil uncovered, lower to a fast simmer, and cook for 40 to 45 minutes.
- Remove the pork, drain the water, let cool, and remove the meat from the bone.
- In a saucepan, melt some cooking fat over medium-high heat; add the onion and garlic, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the cabbage, sauerkraut, carrots, and potatoes.
- Stir well and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the diced tomatoes, stock, caraway seeds, and pork meat, and season to taste.
- Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Add the bacon, toss everything, and season as needed.
📖 Recipe
Polish-Style Pork Cabbage Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 lb. pork spare ribs
- 1 onion diced
- 1 garlic clove diced
- 1 head of cabbage shredded
- 1 cup fresh sauerkraut
- 1 carrot shredded
- 4 russet or sweet potatoes peeled and diced
- 2 cups diced tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken or beef stock
- 1 tbsp. caraway seeds
- ½ lb. bacon cooked and crumbled
- Cooking fat
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place the pork ribs in a saucepan and fill it with water.3 to 4 lb. pork spare ribs
- Bring to a boil uncovered, lower to a fast simmer, and cook for 40 to 45 minutes.
- Remove the pork, drain the water, let cool, and remove the meat from the bone.
- In a saucepan, melt some cooking fat over medium-high heat; add the onion and garlic, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.1 onion, Cooking fat, 1 garlic clove
- Add the cabbage, sauerkraut, carrots, and potatoes.1 head of cabbage, 1 cup fresh sauerkraut, 1 carrot, 4 russet or sweet potatoes
- Stir well and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the diced tomatoes, stock, caraway seeds, and pork meat, and season to taste.2 cups diced tomatoes, 4 cups chicken or beef stock, 1 tbsp. caraway seeds, Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Add the bacon, toss everything, and season as needed.½ lb. bacon
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