Hearty Country Ham and Cabbage Soup

With a deep, rich, intense flavor from dry-cured country ham, this ham and cabbage soup is a quick and easy comfort food meal that's perfect for a cold winter evening.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
• Calories: 383 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons water
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 (32 fluid ounce) container chicken stock
• 1 medium yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 8 ounces country ham slices, diced
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch, or more to taste
• 1.5 pounds red potatoes with skin, cut into small cubes
• 0.5 large head Savoy cabbage, cored and cut into 1-inch squares

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan. Add onion and fry until soft, about 5 minutes. Add country ham and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add chicken stock and potatoes; make sure potatoes are completely covered by the stock. Throw in thyme sprigs and bring to a boil.

Step 2

Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are soft, about 20 minutes. Remove and discard thyme sprigs. Add cabbage and mix well; the liquid no longer needs to cover the cabbage-potato mix. Bring back to a boil.

Step 3

Cover and reduce heat; simmer until the thickest parts of the cabbage are softened, 5 to 10 more minutes. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if needed.

Step 4

Mix water and cornstarch in a small bowl and add slowly to the soup. Mix well and cook until soup is about the consistency of heavy cream or desired thickness; it should not be too thick. Cook for 2 to 3 more minutes before serving.