Pork Belly Cabbage Soup Recipe | Low Carb Cabbage Soup

This keto Pork Belly Cabbage Soup is a delightfully hearty and warming soup that's perfect for a cold day. It's low carb, and can be made in under 30 minutes.

Why You'll Love This Low Carb Soup

Pork and cabbage are a classic pairing, and this Pork Belly recipe Cabbage takes that pairing to a whole new level of comfort food goodness.

It's one of those dishes you'll find yourself craving on a cold day since it's so deliciously warming and filling. It's a quick and easy weeknight dinner option that you can even refrigerate to enjoy throughout the week.

There are few things as good as a dish that's both delicious and keto-friendly, and this dish knocks it out of the park.

What Does Pork Belly Cabbage Soup Taste Like?

The saltiness of the pork pairs perfectly with the sweet, earthiness of the cabbage. The broth, with the distinct flavors of the miso paste, sesame paste, and tanginess of vinegar mixed into the chicken stock, is otherworldly.

Not only is this Pork Belly With Cabbage a delicious and comforting soup, but it's low carb as well.

Ingredients You'll Need

• 1 pound Pork Belly- The rich, flavorful base of the soup. Pork belly adds depth and umami thanks to its marbled fat, which renders into the broth for a silky texture and hearty flavor.
• 3 cups Napa Cabbage- Provides sweetness and a tender texture that balances the richness of the pork belly. As it cooks, the cabbage softens and absorbs the savory broth, adding body and nutrients to the soup.
• 1 cup Sliced Mushrooms- Adds an earthy, umami element that enhances the soup’s depth. Mushrooms also contribute a subtle meatiness that complements the pork and miso.
• 3 tablespoons Miso Paste- The key flavoring component that brings a salty, savory, and slightly fermented taste. It enriches the broth and ties together all the other ingredients.
• 2 tablespoons Sesame Paste, or Tahini- Adds creaminess and a nutty undertone that gives the soup a rich, satisfying body. It also helps mellow the saltiness of the miso and balance the flavors.
• 4 cups Chicken Stock- The liquid base that carries all the flavors. It provides a savory backbone and allows the pork, cabbage, and miso to meld into a comforting, cohesive soup.
• 1 teaspoon White Vinegar- Adds a touch of brightness and acidity to balance the richness of the pork and sesame paste, enhancing the overall flavor and keeping the soup from feeling too heavy.

How To Make Pork Belly Cabbage Soup

1. Saute. Heat a 3-quart saucepan over high heat. Add in pork belly and turn the heat down to medium. You are doing this to allow the pork belly to gently render some fat. Sauté pork belly until the meat is cooked (about 5 minutes).
2. Remove fat. Remove all but 2 tablespoons-ish of the fat. No need to be crazy precise here, just take out any egregious fat so that your soup doesn’t taste ultra fatty afterwards.
3. Add veggies. Add shredded cabbage and mushrooms and stir well until the veggies are coated with the remaining rendered fat.
4. Add broth and pastes. Pour in broth, miso paste, and sesame paste and stir to incorporate those into the broth. When the broth comes to boil, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in vinegar and serve.

Tips And Tricks

Making Pork Belly Cabbage Soup is all about building layers of flavor while maintaining a perfect balance between richness and freshness. Here are some helpful tips and tricks to ensure your soup turns out deeply flavorful and perfectly textured every time:

• Make sure you remove the extra fat from the saucepan before adding the rest of the ingredients. If you leave too much fat in the pan you'll end up with a fatty tasting soup, and nobody wants that.
• This Pork Soup With Cabbage can be refrigerated for 3-4 days. It will collect fat on top, so just simply skim the fat away or gently reheat it.
• The cabbage in the soup won't handle too many reheats, so try not to reheat the whole batch if you plan on eating it throughout the week. You should only really reheat the cabbage once.
• If you can't find or choose not to eat pork belly, you might want to try pork chops cut into smaller pieces.
• If you don't eat pork, or just want a change of pace, you could try this with chicken.
• Here's another Pork Belly recipe for you as well, and this one is a crispy pork belly.

Variations

Pork Belly Cabbage Soup is a wonderfully flexible dish that can be adapted to suit different tastes, ingredients, and dietary preferences. Here are some delicious variations to try:

• Spicy Miso- Add chili paste or a spoonful of gochujang for a bold, spicy kick that complements the richness of the pork belly.
• Korean-Inspired Twist- Stir in kimchi and a splash of kimchi juice instead of vinegar for a tangy, spicy flavor boost with probiotic benefits.
• Vegetable-Packed Soup- Add carrots, tofu, daikon radish, or baby bok choy to make the soup heartier and more nutrient-dense.
• Lightened-Up Version- Substitute thinly sliced pork shoulder or chicken thighs for pork belly to reduce the fat while keeping the soup flavorful.

What To Eat With Pork Belly Cabbage Soup

Pork Belly Cabbage Soup is rich, savory, and satisfying on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a variety of sides that complement its deep flavors. Here are some delicious options to enjoy with it:

• Cucumber Salad- A light and refreshing side that balances the soup’s richness.
• Asian Slaw- Adds crunch and a tangy contrast to the soft textures in the soup.
• Steamed Edamame- A simple, protein-rich snack that pairs well with the savory broth.
• Cauliflower Rice- Perfect for soaking up the flavorful miso-sesame broth.

How Long Does It Last?

Pork Belly Cabbage Soup will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container.

When reheating, warm it gently on the stovetop over medium heat to preserve the rich flavor and prevent the miso and sesame paste from separating.

Can You Freeze It?

You can also freeze the soup for up to 2 months for longer storage. For the best texture, consider freezing the broth and solids separately, as cabbage may become very soft after thawing.

When ready to enjoy, thaw the soup overnight in the refrigerator and reheat slowly, stirring occasionally until heated through.

Looking For More Great Soup Recipes?

• Chicken Pot Pie Soup - Low carb and super easy to make.
• Italian Sausage Soup - A low carb Zuppa Toscana recipe!
• Tuscan Ribollita Soup - A nice, hot, filling and easy meal.
• Instant Pot Tortellini Soup With Spinach - Delectably simple to make.
• Miso Soup With Salmon - Savory, delicious and low carb.
• Instant Pot Harira Soup - A deliciously authentic Morrocan stew
• Tomato Eggplant Soup - A great vegan soup recipe.
• Easy Beef Daube Recipe - A delicious French-style beef stew.

If you love this Pork Belly Cabbage Soup recipe as much as we do, make sure you share it with your friends on Facebook and Instagram so they can try it too! Don't forget to Pin it so you can make it again soon.

Don't forget to check out my other Keto cookbooks.

Keto Instant Pot, Keto Fat Bombs, Sweets, & Treats, and Easy keto in 30 minutes.