The Best Cabbage Soup Recipe for Cozy Comfort

Whipping up a delightful cabbage soup recipe can transform your winter meals into comforting culinary adventures.

Hearty vegetables dance together in a nutritious broth that warms you from the inside out.

Crisp cabbage brings remarkable depth to this simple yet satisfying dish.

Nutritionists appreciate its low-calorie profile and incredible health benefits.

Regional cooks across Eastern Europe have perfected this classic comfort food through generations.

Each spoonful carries rich flavors that blend seamlessly with tender ingredients.

Pack your bowl with love and savor every nourishing bite.

Why Cabbage Soup Is A Nourishing and Flavorful Choice

• Boost Nutrition: Packed with vitamin-rich vegetables, this cabbage soup delivers a powerful health punch without sacrificing flavor.
• Simplify Cooking: Requires minimal ingredients and basic kitchen skills, making it perfect for beginners or busy home cooks seeking a straightforward meal.
• Warm Comfort Food: Creates a hearty, satisfying dish that feels like a warm hug during chilly days or when craving something nourishing and soul-soothing.
• Budget-Friendly Meal: Uses affordable, accessible ingredients that won't strain your wallet while providing a filling and nutritious dining experience.

Ingredients for Hearty Cabbage Soup

• Cabbage: A hearty and nutritious green vegetable that forms the base of this soup.
• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic aromatic vegetables that provide a rich and deep flavor foundation.
• Garlic: Adds a robust and pungent taste to enhance the overall soup profile.

• Vegetable Broth: Creates a light and flavorful liquid foundation for the soup.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds a tangy and slightly acidic element to balance the soup's flavors.

• Thyme: A classic herb that brings a subtle earthy and slightly minty taste to the soup.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that help to elevate and balance the overall taste of the dish.

How to Make Classic Cabbage Soup Step-by-Step

Step 1: Kickstart The Flavor Base

Grab a roomy pot and heat it up. Toss in chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Sizzle and dance these veggies over medium heat until they become soft and fragrant, releasing their delicious aromas.

• onions
• carrots
• celery

Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Step 2: Awaken The Garlic

Drop in minced garlic and let it dance around the pot for about a minute. The kitchen will fill with an incredible scent that signals something delicious is brewing.

Step 3: Build The Soup Symphony

• chopped cabbage
• vegetable broth
• diced tomatoes
• fresh thyme

Crank up the heat and bring everything to a rolling boil, stirring gently to combine all ingredients.

Step 4: Simmer And Transform

Lower the heat and let the soup gently bubble. Cover the pot and let the ingredients mingle and soften for about 30 minutes. The cabbage will become tender and absorb all the wonderful flavors.

Step 5: Final Flavor Flourish

Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper. Give it a final stir and ladle into warm bowls. The soup is ready to warm hearts and comfort souls.

Pro Tips for Making Perfectly Seasoned Cabbage Soup

• Slice vegetables uniformly for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Use fresh thyme leaves for a more vibrant, aromatic flavor compared to dried herbs.
• Choose low-sodium vegetable broth to control salt content and customize seasoning to personal preference.
• Add protein like white beans or shredded chicken to transform this light soup into a more substantial meal.
• For a vegan version, ensure all ingredients are plant-based and consider adding nutritional yeast for extra depth of flavor.

Flavorful Variations for Cabbage Soup to Try

• Hearty Beef Cabbage Soup: Replace vegetable broth with beef broth and add ground beef for a protein-packed version.
• Spicy Southwestern Cabbage Soup: Incorporate black beans, corn, jalapeños, and chili powder for a zesty southwestern kick.
• Mediterranean Cabbage Soup: Add white beans, diced zucchini, and replace thyme with oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired profile.
• Asian-Inspired Cabbage Soup: Include ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and top with green onions for an Asian flavor transformation.

Pairing Suggestions for Cabbage Soup

• Pair Zesty White Wine: Crisp Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the soup's hearty vegetable flavors, offering a refreshing contrast with its bright, citrusy notes.
• Complement with Crusty Bread: Warm, rustic sourdough or artisan whole grain bread provides a perfect textural companion, ideal for soaking up the savory broth.
• Match with Sharp Cheese: Aged cheddar or gruyère sprinkled on top adds a rich, tangy layer that enhances the soup's earthy vegetable profile.
• Serve with Herbal Side Salad: Light mixed greens with a lemon vinaigrette balances the soup's warmth, creating a well-rounded, nutritious meal experience.

Storage Advice for Keeping Cabbage Soup Fresh

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Leave 1-inch space for expansion. Freezes perfectly for up to 3 months. Label container with date and contents.
• Transfer desired portion to microwave-safe bowl. Cover with microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until soup reaches 165°F. Stir thoroughly to distribute heat evenly.
• Pour soup into saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.

FAQs About Cabbage Soup Answered

• Is cabbage soup healthy?

Absolutely! It’s low in calories, packed with nutrients, and loaded with fiber. The vegetables provide vitamins and minerals that support overall health and boost immunity.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, the recipe is already vegetarian. Just ensure you use vegetable broth and skip any optional meat additions.

• How can I add more protein to the soup?

Consider adding beans like white kidney beans or chickpeas, or include cubed tofu. You can also top the soup with cooked lentils or quinoa for extra protein.

• What other vegetables work well in this soup?

You can easily incorporate zucchini, bell peppers, spinach, or kale. These vegetables will enhance the nutrition and add more flavor complexity to the basic recipe.

Cabbage Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty cabbage soup delivers a comforting embrace of European culinary tradition, packed with nutritious vegetables and warming spices. Simmering slowly in your kitchen, this simple yet satisfying recipe promises a delicious journey through rustic flavors you’ll savor with every spoonful.

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Ingredients

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Main Vegetables:

• 1 medium head cabbage, chopped
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced

Liquid Base:

• 6 cups (1.4 liters) vegetable broth
• 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) diced tomatoes

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm a spacious cooking vessel over medium temperature, gently transforming onions, carrots, and celery into translucent, tender morsels through careful sautéing.
2. Introduce minced garlic to the aromatic vegetable medley, allowing its pungent essence to bloom for precisely 60 seconds.
3. Cascade chopped cabbage into the pot, followed by vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, and delicate thyme leaves, elevating the mixture to a vigorous boil.
4. Dial down the heat, creating a gentle simmer that allows ingredients to harmonize and meld, continuing for approximately half an hour until cabbage reaches a perfect tender-crisp consistency.
5. Carefully calibrate the soup’s flavor profile by delicately incorporating salt and freshly cracked black pepper, tasting and adjusting seasoning to achieve a balanced, comforting result.
6. Ladle the vibrant, nourishing soup into waiting bowls, ready to warm and satisfy hungry diners with its hearty, wholesome character.

Notes

• Use a sharp knife to slice cabbage into uniform pieces for even cooking and consistent texture.
• Select fresh, crisp cabbage with vibrant green leaves to ensure maximum flavor and nutritional value.
• Consider adding protein like white beans or chicken to transform this light soup into a more substantial meal.
• Enhance the soup’s depth by deglazing the pan with a splash of white wine after sautéing vegetables for a richer taste profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 70 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 0.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg