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Meatball and Cabbage Soup

Thai Meatball & Cabbage Soup

Enjoy this hearty, protein-packed Thai Meatball & Cabbage Soup—a delicious blend of flavors and textures that warms you from the inside out!
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Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Thai
Keyword: cabbage soup, comfort bowl, meat ball
Servings: 4
Author: Hong Thaimee

Ingredients

For the Meatballs:

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro roots or substitute with finely chopped cilantro
  • 1 tbsp Thaimee All Purpose Sauce or to taste

For the Soup:

  • 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 cups Napa cabbage roughly chopped
  • ½ cup Chinese celery chopped
  • 1 carrot peeled and sliced into ¼‑inch–thick coins
  • 1 block soft tofu, cut into about 1‑inch–thick pieces feel free to use your preferred type of tofu
  • 1 tbsp Thaimee All Purpose Sauce or to taste
  • ½ tsp white pepper
  • Chopped scallions & extra cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  • Make the Meatballs:
  • In a bowl, combine the ground turkey, minced garlic, black pepper, cilantro roots (or finely chopped cilantro), and Thaimee All Purpose Sauce. For a more authentic touch, pound whole garlic, black (or white) peppercorns, and cilantro roots in a stone mortar until they form a pasty “Sam Glur” (Three Friends) paste—then mix this into your protein. If you don’t have a mortar, simply chop everything finely and use ground pepper instead.
  • Mix well and form into 1‑inch meatballs. Set aside.

Prepare the Broth:

  • In a large pot, bring the chicken or vegetable broth to a gentle boil over medium heat. Stir in 1 tbsp of Thaimee All Purpose Sauce and the white pepper.

Cook the Meatballs:

  • Gently drop the turkey meatballs into the simmering broth. Let them cook for 5–7 minutes until fully cooked and beginning to float.

Add the Vegetables:

  • Add the Napa cabbage, Chinese celery, and carrot coins. Simmer for 3–5 minutes so the vegetables soften while still retaining a slight crunch.

Incorporate the Tofu:

  • Carefully add the tofu pieces and simmer for another 2 minutes. Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning with extra Thaimee All Purpose Sauce

Serve:

  • Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped scallions and extra cilantro. Enjoy this protein-packed bowl warm—ideal as a nourishing meal on its own or with steamed jasmine rice.e

Video

Notes

  • Thaimee All Purpose Sauce is a blend of oyster sauce, fish sauce, and other savory ingredients that elevates the dish’s flavor profile.
  • This adaptation is leaner than the traditional version—you might also find this soup in Thailand made with ground chicken or ground pork.