Braised Cabbage Soup with Pork Ribs

By Sho @ Hungry for Thai on Apr 10th 2025

A light and flavorful clear soup where cabbage is slow-cooked until tender in a pork bone broth. The pork bones—usually soft pork bones or pork ribs—give the broth a rich umami depth.

🥬 Pork and Cabbage Soup — A Cozy, Nourishing Bowl of Comfort

Let’s be real—cabbage doesn’t always get the love it deserves. Some folks think it’s boring, bland, or just a filler veggie.

But once you try it in this Braised Cabbage Soup with Pork Ribs, you’ll see it in a whole new light.

This soup is naturally sweet, deeply savory, and so satisfying.

It’s the kind of dish that makes you feel warm and cozy from the inside out 💛

This is a traditional cabbage stew with pork that uses just a few humble ingredients—pork ribs, shiitake mushrooms, and cabbage (we love using Napa cabbage, but regular green cabbage works great too!).

Add water, season well, and let it simmer until everything becomes meltingly tender and full of flavor.

What You'll Need

• Pork Ribs – Provides richness and meaty depth to the broth.
• Green Cabbage – Adds sweetness and soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture after braising.
• Shiitake Mushrooms – Boosts umami flavor; adds an earthy, meaty bite.
• Cilantro Roots – Infuses the soup with herbal aroma and traditional Thai flavor.
• Garlic Cloves – Builds savory base flavor for the soup.
• White Peppercorns - Adds gentle warmth and depth.
• Soy Sauce – Brings savory, salty umami flavor.
• Salt – Helps round out all the flavors.
• Water – The base for your broth.
• Oil (for searing) – Used to sear the cabbage and pork ribs, deepening flavor.
• Fresh Cilantro Leaves – Adds a fresh, fragrant finish before serving.

Why You’ll Love This Braised Cabbage Soup with Pork Ribs Recipe 🩷

✔️ Comfort in a bowl: Warm, savory, and perfect with rice.

✔️ Rich in flavor, light on effort: Searing the cabbage and pork ribs adds layers of umami without needing sugar.

✔️ Budget-friendly: Uses simple ingredients to make a meal that tastes like it simmered all day.

✔️ Family-approved: Mild, nourishing, and great for all ages.

✔️ Brainfood benefits: Shiitake mushrooms are full of B vitamins and antioxidants, which support brain and immune function.

How to Cook Braised Cabbage Soup with Pork Ribs

1. Bring 6 cups of water to a gentle boil in a pot over medium heat.
2. Quarter the shiitake mushrooms. Rinse and cut the cabbage into 4–6 wedges, keeping the core intact.
3. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet. Sear cabbage wedges for 2 minutes per side until lightly browned. Add to the pot.
4. Rinse ribs in salt water and cut into bite-sized pieces.
5. In the same skillet, sear the ribs until browned. Add garlic, smashed cilantro roots, and mushrooms. Stir-fry for 2 minutes.
6. Add the pork mixture to the pot.
7. Add soy sauce, fish sauce, salt, and goji berries (optional). Stir well.
8. Cover and simmer on medium-low for 45–60 minutes, until pork is tender and cabbage is soft.
9. Top with fresh cilantro and enjoy hot with jasmine rice (optional).

What to Serve With Braised Cabbage Soup with Pork Ribs

🥗 Starter: Cucumber salad— fresh, tangy, and crunchy.

🥩 Main Course: Stir-fried ginger chicken or Thai omelet (Khai Jiao) for more protein.

🍛 Side Dish: Steamed jasmine rice is a must to soak up that delicious broth!

🍰 Dessert: Thai coconut balls (Khanom Tom) or Thai mango sticky rice if you’re feeling fancy.

Perfect for Any Night of the Week!

This hearty pork with cabbage recipe is great for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays.

It’s a one-pot wonder that fills your kitchen with cozy aromas and your belly with joy.

We love how the cabbage stew gets sweeter the longer it cooks, and how the pork ribs fall right off the bone.

Looking for variations? You can easily swap the pork ribs for beef short ribs or oxtail, or even go with cabbage soup with chicken for a lighter take.

Whatever protein you choose, the broth will soak up all that delicious umami from the meat and mushrooms.

💡To help more food lovers discover this gem, this recipe is sometimes searched as:

pork ribs with cabbage soup, cabbage soup with pork, cabbage soup recipe, cabbage stew, pork with cabbage recipe, soup cabbage, braised cabbage soup with pork ribs, or cabbage soup with chicken.

Whatever you call it—it’s simple, soothing, and seriously tasty.