Hearty Slow-Simmered Pork and Roasted Vegetable Soup

Pork and Vegetable Soup
Tender pork shoulder and rustic root vegetables simmered in a savory herb broth. Pure comfort in a bowl.
There is something deeply nostalgic about a pot of pork soup bubbling away on the stove. This recipe focuses on building layers of flavor, starting with searing the pork to get those beautiful golden bits at the bottom of the pot, which eventually dissolve into a rich, velvety broth that tastes like it has been cooking for days.
It is the ultimate 'clean out the fridge' meal that feels like a five-star comfort dish. The combination of earthy root vegetables and fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary infuses the meat with a wonderful aroma that will have your whole house smelling like a cozy cottage. Serve it with a thick slice of crusty bread to soak up every last drop.
Nutrition (per serving)
Directions
-
1
Generously season the pork cubes with salt and pepper on all sides.
-
2
Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
-
3
Brown the pork in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, cooking until golden brown on all sides. Remove the meat and set it aside on a plate.
-
4
In the same pot, add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pot to release the browned pork bits.
-
5
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
-
6
Add the browned pork back into the pot along with the cubed potatoes, broth, dried thyme, and the rosemary sprig.
-
7
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover partially and simmer for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the pork is fork-tender.
-
8
Remove the rosemary sprig and stir in the chopped kale. Let it cook for another 3-5 minutes until the kale has wilted.
-
9
Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed before serving hot.
Ingredients
- Pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes:2 lb
- Olive oil:2 tbsp
- Yellow onion, chopped:1 large
- Garlic, minced:3 cloves
- Carrots, peeled and sliced:3 pieces
- Celery stalks, sliced:2 pieces
- Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed:1.5 lb
- Chicken or beef broth:6 cups
- Dried thyme:1 tsp
- Fresh rosemary:1 sprig
- Fresh kale, chopped:2 cups
- Salt and black pepper:1 to taste
Tips & Notes
- For an even richer flavor, use a splash of dry white wine to deglaze the pan after sautéing the vegetables.
- If you prefer a thicker consistency, mash a few of the cooked potato chunks against the side of the pot and stir them back into the broth.
- Leftover pork roast can be used instead of raw shoulder; just add it toward the end of the cooking time to heat through.