Thai Meatball & Cabbage Soup
This nourishing soup bursts with authentic Thai flavors and packs a protein punch with turkey meatballs and soft tofu. Enhanced with Thaimee All Purpose Sauce, it combines crisp Napa cabbage, Chinese celery, and a savory broth that’s both light and deeply satisfying. Enjoy it on its own or paired with steamed jasmine rice for a wholesome meal.
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
This adaptation is leaner than the traditional version—you might also find this soup in Thailand, made with ground chicken or ground pork.