Caraway Pork & Cabbage Soup

Inspired by Polish kapuśniak, this hearty fresh-cabbage soup pairs sale-priced pork with caraway, marjoram, and vegetables suited to Washington’s late-October harvest.

  • Total time: 50 min
  • Servings: 2 servings
  • Estimated total cost: $4
  • Calories per serving: 560 cal
  • Stovetop

Ingredients

  • Kroger® Ground Pork
    8 oz $3.99
  • Green Cabbage
    8 oz $0.99
  • Yukon Gold Potatoes
    12 oz $1.29
  • Carrots
    4 oz $1.39
  • Jumbo Yellow Onions
    4 oz $0.89
  • Sunflower oil
    1 tablespoon
  • Fine sea salt
    1 3/4 teaspoons
  • Caraway seeds
    3/4 teaspoon
  • Dried marjoram
    1 teaspoon
  • Ground black pepper
    1/4 teaspoon
  • Apple cider vinegar
    1 tablespoon

Instructions

  1. Gently mix 8 oz ground pork with 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt. Set aside while preparing the vegetables.

  2. Prepare the vegetables, keeping them separate:

    • Finely dice 4 oz yellow onion.
    • Scrub 4 oz carrots and cut into thin half-moons.
    • Core and thinly shred 8 oz green cabbage.
    • Scrub 12 oz Yukon Gold potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon sunflower oil in a medium heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned pork and cook for 6–7 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles, until browned and cooked to 160°F.

  4. Add the prepared onion and carrots. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 4 minutes, stirring and scraping up the browned bits. Stir in 3/4 teaspoon caraway seeds and cook for 30 seconds.

  5. Add the prepared cabbage and potatoes along with the following:

    • 3 1/2 cups water
    • 1 1/4 teaspoons fine sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon dried marjoram, rubbed between your fingers
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

    Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and partially cover. Simmer gently for 18–22 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender and the cabbage is silky.

  6. Stir in 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar after the potatoes are tender. Ladle into two deep bowls, distributing the pork and vegetables evenly, and serve hot.

Drink pairing: A dry Riesling complements the pork and caraway while refreshing the palate between spoonfuls.