Ingredients:
- 400g beef ribs
- 1 bowl of pickled cabbage
- 3 tomatoes
- Green onions, shallots, ginger, garlic
- Seasoning: Fish sauce, salt, sugar, seasoning powder, pepper
- Cooking oil
Instructions:
Prepare the Beef:
- Choose beef ribs with lean fat and tendons. Wash the beef and cut into 3x3 cm squares.
- Marinate the beef with 1 tsp fish sauce, 1/2 tsp seasoning powder, 1 tsp pepper, 1 tsp garlic. Let sit 30 mins.
Prepare the Pickled Cabbage:
- Squeeze out water from pickled cabbage. Cut into bite-size pieces.
- Keep some brine to add flavor to the soup. Can also add bone broth.
Prepare Other Ingredients:
- Cut tomatoes into wedges.
- Wash and cut green onions.
- Slice shallots and mince garlic.
Cook the Soup:
- Sauté garlic until fragrant, add marinated beef and stir-fry.
- Add beef to pot with boiling water. Add pickled cabbage brine.
- Simmer until beef is tender. Skim foam and scum.
Stir-Fry Pickled Cabbage:
- Sauté shallots until fragrant, add cabbage and 2/3 tomatoes. Stir-fry until soft.
- Add a little sugar to reduce sourness.
Finish the Soup:
- Add stir-fried cabbage to pot. Simmer 45-50 mins until tender.
- Add remaining 1/3 tomatoes. Simmer a few mins.
- Season to taste. Add green onions and pepper.
Serving Suggestions:
- Soup should be reddish-yellow, slightly sour, with tender beef.
- Pickled cabbage should be well-soured and absorb beef flavors.
- Cut beef into large pieces as it will shrink during cooking.
- Cook over low heat for maximum flavor.
Here are 5 common FAQs about making beef pickled cabbage soup:
What Kind of Beef is Best for Pickled Cabbage Soup?
The best beef cuts for this soup are those with connective tissue that will break down into gelatin and tenderize the meat. Short ribs, chuck roast, and oxtails are all excellent choices. Lean cuts like tenderloin will turn out dry and stringy.
Can I Use Store-bought Pickled Cabbage?
Yes, you can substitute store-bought sauerkraut or other pickled cabbage varieties. Rinse first to remove excess salt. You may need to adjust seasoning since commercial sauerkraut can be very sour.
Is it Okay to Use Bone Broth?
Adding bone broth is a great way to boost flavor. Simmer bones before making the soup to extract gelatin, minerals, and collagen. This enhances the mouthfeel and nutritional content.
Should Pickled Cabbage Soup be Cooked in Two Stages?
Cooking the soup in two stages—once to tenderize, then again before serving—allows flavors to meld and tenderizes meat. However, you can skip the second cooking if short on time. Just make sure to simmer long enough initially.
Can I Substitute Ingredients like Fish Sauce or Tomatoes?
Feel free to customize based on preferences. Swap fish sauce for soy sauce or Worcestershire. Substitute vinegar for tartness if omitting tomatoes. Play with spices like star anise, coriander, and chili. Just maintain the sauce-to-broth ratio.