There’s just something magical about a warm bowl of soup, isn’t there? Especially when it’s healthy, hearty, and comes together in a flash! If you’re looking for a go-to cabbage soup recipe that’s as satisfying as it is easy, you’ve landed in the right spot. This isn’t some fancy, complicated affair; it’s simple, honest-to-goodness comfort food that’s kind to your wallet and your body. I remember making this on a chilly evening when I was absolutely wiped, and it came to the rescue, proving that deliciousness doesn’t need a ton of fuss!

Why You’ll Love This Simple Cabbage Soup Recipe

This isn’t just any soup; it’s a winner for so many reasons!

Super Easy to Make: Seriously, minimal chopping and just one pot!
Quick Prep & Cook Time: Perfect for weeknights when you’re short on time.
Healthy & Hearty: Packed with veggies and totally satisfying.
Deliciously Comforting: A warm hug in a bowl.
Budget-Friendly: Uses simple, inexpensive ingredients.

Gather Your Ingredients for the Best Cabbage Soup Recipe

Alright, let’s get our pantry ready! The beauty of this cabbage soup recipe is how straightforward it is. You probably have most of these lurking in your kitchen already. Here’s what you’ll need to grab:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1/2 head of cabbage, shredded (I like to get it all shredded at once!)
6 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth if you prefer!)
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained (don’t drain the juice, it’s packed with flavor!)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste, of course)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Cabbage Soup Recipe

Okay, let’s get this delicious soup simmering! It’s really just a matter of a few simple steps, and before you know it, you’ll have a pot of pure comfort. Trust me, the aroma alone is worth it!

Sautéing the Aromatics for Your Cabbage Soup

First things first, grab a big pot or a Dutch oven. We’re going to heat up that olive oil over medium heat, nice and gentle. Once it’s shimmering a bit, toss in your chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Give them a good stir and let them soften up for about 5 to 7 minutes. You want them to start getting tender and releasing all those yummy flavors. I like to stir them every now and then to make sure they cook evenly!

Wilting the Cabbage in Your Cabbage Soup Recipe

Now for the star of the show: the cabbage! Add your shredded cabbage right into the pot with the softened veggies. Give it another stir and let it cook for about 5 more minutes. You’ll see it start to wilt down and shrink. Don’t worry if the pot looks really full at first; it cooks down a lot. Just keep stirring it gently!

Simmering the Cabbage Soup to Perfection

Time to bring it all together! Pour in that tasty vegetable broth and the whole can of diced tomatoes, juice and all – we don’t want to waste any of that flavor! Now, sprinkle in your dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good mix. Turn the heat up until the soup just starts to boil, then immediately reduce it to low. Pop a lid on and let it simmer away for *at least* 20 minutes. This is where all the magic happens, letting the flavors meld and the cabbage get perfectly tender. Oh, and make sure to taste it towards the end and add a pinch more salt or pepper if you think it needs it. That’s my secret for the *perfect* cabbage soup!

Tips for the Perfect Cabbage Soup Recipe

You know, this soup is fantastic as is, but sometimes I like to jazz it up a bit! My favorite trick is adding a splash of apple cider vinegar right at the end before serving – just a tiny bit! It really brightens up all those earthy vegetable flavors. Also, don’t be shy with the fresh herbs; a sprinkle of fresh dill or parsley makes a world of difference. And if you’re feeling adventurous and want to add some protein, a handful of cooked lentils or even some shredded chicken stirred in makes it super hearty, like a wonton soup but way simpler!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Cabbage Soup

This cabbage soup recipe is super flexible, which is part of what I love about it! If you’re out of vegetable broth, chicken broth works beautifully too. For an extra boost of flavor, don’t hesitate to add a parmesan rind to the pot while it simmers – just fish it out before serving! And if you want to make this even heartier, a can of drained and rinsed cannellini beans or chickpeas tossed in during the last 10 minutes is fantastic.

Serving and Storing Your Delicious Cabbage Soup

This simple cabbage soup is so comforting on its own, but honestly, it’s even better with a few little extras! I love serving it with a big hunk of crusty bread – perfect for soaking up every last drop. A dollop of sour cream or a swirl of plain yogurt is also lovely if you have it on hand.

Got leftovers? Lucky you! This soup keeps beautifully in the fridge for about 3-4 days. Just pop it into an airtight container. To reheat, I usually just use the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until it’s nice and warm. Or, you can zap it in the microwave – super easy! And if you’re feeling extra adventurous, a little side of homemade ketchup goes surprisingly well with this, especially if you add some other goodies!

Frequently Asked Questions About Cabbage Soup

Can I make this cabbage soup recipe vegetarian or vegan?

Absolutely! This recipe is already vegetarian if you use vegetable broth. For a vegan version, just make sure your vegetable broth is vegan-friendly and skip any dairy toppings like sour cream. It’s naturally dairy-free!

How can I make this cabbage soup heartier?

Oh, you want to make it a meal, I get it! It’s super easy. My favorite way is to toss in a can of drained and rinsed beans (like white beans or chickpeas) during the last 10 minutes of simmering. You could also add cooked lentils or even some shredded cooked chicken or ground turkey if you’re not sticking strictly to vegetarian. It’s almost like a lighter version of a hearty one-pot soup!

Can I use different types of cabbage?

You sure can! While green cabbage is the classic choice and what I usually grab, Napa cabbage or even savoy cabbage would work too. They might have slightly different textures, but they’ll all be delicious in this soup. Just make sure you shred it nicely!

How long does this cabbage soup last in the fridge?

This soup is a great meal-prepper’s dream! It stores really well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. The flavors actually tend to meld even more overnight, which is a bonus!

Nutritional Information for This Cabbage Soup Recipe

Now, about what you’re putting into your body – because this soup is packed with goodness! While every kitchen is a little different and ingredient brands can vary, here’s a general idea of the nutritional ballpark for one serving (about 1.5 cups) of this yummy cabbage soup. Remember, these are just estimates, but they show just how healthy this bowl of comfort truly is!

Calories: Around 120
Fat: About 3g
Carbohydrates: Roughly 20g
Protein: Around 3g
Sodium: Around 600mg (this can vary a lot depending on your broth!)

It’s super low in fat and calories but still satisfying, which is just perfect for a light lunch or a starter to a bigger meal!

Simple Cabbage Soup

Author: ferecipe.com
Total Time: 45 min
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A basic and hearty cabbage soup recipe that is easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1/2 head of cabbage, shredded
6 cups vegetable broth
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add onion, carrots, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in shredded cabbage and cook for another 5 minutes until it begins to wilt.
Pour in vegetable broth and diced tomatoes. Add thyme, salt, and pepper.
Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for at least 20 minutes, or until cabbage is tender.
Serve hot.

Notes

For a heartier soup, you can add beans or lean ground meat.
Adjust seasoning to your preference.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 30 min
Category: Soup
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 120
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 3g
Saturated Fat: 0.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: cabbage soup, vegetable soup, healthy soup, easy soup, simple recipe