Simple Pork Meatball Soup

This recipe is a good example of what you can do with some very common ingredients. Some basic root veggies, a few herbs, a few simple spices and some ground pork is all you need to make a delicious and simple pork meatball soup.

Course Main Course, Soup

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings servings

Calories 593kcal

Author Craig Fear

Cost $25

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

1 pound ground pork
1 bunch fresh cilantro parsley or basil, chopped
1 cup bread crumbs sub gluten-free bread crumbs, if needed
1 egg
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2-3 TBSP olive oil

For the soup:

2-3 TBSP olive oil
1 medium yellow onion diced
1 stalk celery diced
1 carrot peeled and diced
3-4 cloves garlic diced
1-2 TBSP dried oregano and thyme, any combination
1 bay leaf
1 quart pork broth or chicken broth or beef broth
1 bunch kale chopped
salt and pepper, to taste

Optional Seasonings, to taste

additional fresh cilantro, parsley or basil
red pepper flakes, hot sauce or fresh chiles
splash or two of vinegar of your choice - apple cider, sherry, red wine, etc.
freshly grated parmesan or asiago cheese

Instructions

For the meatballs:

Combine all the ingredients for the meatballs (except the olive oil) in a mixing bowl, mix well, and form into small bite-sized meatballs with your hands.
In a cast-iron pan, heat the olive oil and brown the meatballs on all sides and set aside.

For the soup:

In a dutch oven or wide-mouth stock pot, heat the olive oil and add the onions, carrots, celery and garlic. Saute for about 5 minutes, stirring often. Add the oregano and/or thyme and bay leaf and saute about another 5 minutes or until veggies are fragrant and softened.
Add the broth, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook for a few more minutes.
Add the kale and pork meatballs and simmer for a few minutes until the kale is wilted and the pork meatballs are cooked through.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Ladle into individual bowls and add optional seasonings, to taste.

Nutrition