Easy Homemade Cabbage Soup Recipe: Cozy Comfort in a Bowl

Warming up on a chilly evening calls for a hearty cabbage soup recipe that promises comfort in every spoonful.

This classic dish blends simple ingredients with robust flavors that dance across your palate.

Robust and nourishing, the soup delivers a perfect balance of vegetables and savory broth.

Each ingredient brings its own personality to the pot, creating a symphony of taste and texture.

Chopped cabbage and tender vegetables simmer together, developing deep, rich notes that will have you coming back for seconds.

Home cooks love this recipe for its simplicity and nutritious profile.

You’ll find this soup both satisfying and easy to prepare with minimal fuss.

Grab a ladle and let the aroma of this soul-warming cabbage soup fill your kitchen.

Why Cabbage Soup Deserves a Spot on Your Table

• Packed with vitamins and minerals from fresh vegetables, this cabbage soup delivers a healthy punch that supports overall wellness without sacrificing flavor.
• Minimal prep work and simple cooking steps make this recipe perfect for busy home cooks who want a satisfying meal without complicated techniques.
• Adaptable to different dietary needs, this soup can be easily customized with additional protein or served as a light standalone dish for lunch or dinner.
• Using affordable, accessible ingredients like cabbage, carrots, and canned tomatoes, this recipe helps you create a delicious meal without breaking the bank.

Cabbage Soup: What You’ll Need

• Cabbage: A hearty green vegetable that provides bulk and nutrition to the soup.
• Onion: Adds a sweet and aromatic base flavor to the soup.
• Garlic: Provides a robust and pungent flavor profile.
• Carrots: Brings natural sweetness and vibrant color to the dish.
• Celery: Contributes a fresh and subtle flavor to the soup.

• Vegetable Broth: Serves as the primary liquid base for the soup.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds acidity and depth to the soup's overall taste.

• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables and adding a smooth texture.
• Dried Thyme, Dried Oregano: Provide classic Mediterranean herb flavors.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing the soup's overall taste.

• Fresh Parsley: Optional herb for adding a bright, fresh finish to the soup.

Kitchen Essentials for Cabbage Soup

• Large Pot: Essential for cooking the entire soup, with plenty of space for all ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Perfect for chopping onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and cabbage with precision.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for safe and clean vegetable preparation.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking while cooking.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately add dried herbs and seasonings.
• Ladle: Convenient for serving the hot soup into bowls.

How to Put Together Cabbage Soup

Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Vessel

Heat olive oil in a spacious pot over medium temperature.

Toss in chopped onions and minced garlic, stirring until they become wonderfully aromatic and see-through, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 2: Introduce Root Companions

• Carrots
• Celery

Sauté these crisp vegetables for another 3-4 minutes until they soften slightly.

Step 3: Build Your Soup Foundation

• Shredded cabbage
• Diced tomatoes with their juicy liquid
• Vegetable broth
• Dried thyme
• Dried oregano

Sprinkle salt and pepper to your liking, creating a flavor symphony.

Step 4: Create Liquid Magic

Push the mixture to a boiling point, then gently lower the heat.

Cover the pot and let it simmer peacefully for 20-25 minutes, allowing vegetables to become perfectly tender.

Step 5: Fine-Tune Flavor Profile

Sample the soup and adjust seasonings if your taste buds suggest any modifications.

Step 6: Prepare for Delicious Enjoyment

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls.

Optional: Scatter fresh parsley on top for a burst of color and freshness.

Little Extras for Better Cabbage Soup

• Roast vegetables briefly before adding to the soup to enhance their natural sweetness and create a more complex taste profile.
• Chop vegetables into smaller, uniform pieces to ensure faster and more even cooking throughout the soup.
• Add protein like cooked chicken, beans, or tofu to transform this light soup into a more substantial meal with extra nutrition.
• Keep cabbage slightly crisp by avoiding overcooking, which helps maintain its vitamins and mineral content.
• Cool soup completely before refrigerating and consume within 3-4 days for optimal freshness and taste quality.

New Takes on Cabbage Soup

• Low-Carb Cabbage Soup: Replace carrots with cauliflower and use bone broth instead of vegetable broth for a keto-friendly version.
• Spicy Mexican Cabbage Soup: Add jalapeños, cumin, chili powder, and top with cilantro for a zesty flavor profile.
• Protein-Packed Cabbage Soup: Incorporate cooked chicken, ground turkey, or white beans to increase protein content.
• Asian-Inspired Cabbage Soup: Include ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and garnish with green onions for an eastern touch.

Serving Up Cabbage Soup

• Hearty Comfort Bowl: Ladle this warm soup into deep ceramic bowls for a cozy, satisfying meal that hugs your soul on chilly evenings.
• Protein Power-Up: Top with grilled chicken strips, crumbled tofu, or shredded rotisserie meat to transform this light soup into a protein-packed dinner.
• Bread Companion: Serve alongside crusty whole grain bread, garlic toast, or crispy croutons for extra texture and a delightful dipping experience.
• Herb Fresh Finish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley, chives, or green onions just before serving to add a bright, zesty flavor and beautiful green color pop.

Keeping Cabbage Soup Fresh

• Store leftover cabbage soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring a tight seal to prevent freezer burn.
• Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed. Check temperature to ensure even heating.
• Pour soup into a pot, add a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking, and warm over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally and heat until steaming hot, about 5-7 minutes.

FAQs

• Is cabbage soup healthy?

Yes, it’s incredibly nutritious. Packed with low-calorie vegetables, this soup provides essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber while being low in calories, making it excellent for weight management and overall health.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian or vegan?

Absolutely! The recipe is naturally vegetarian and vegan-friendly. It uses vegetable broth and plant-based ingredients, ensuring everyone can enjoy this hearty soup.

• How can I add more protein to the soup?

You can easily boost protein by adding cooked beans like white kidney beans, lentils, or chickpeas. Plant-based protein options like tofu or tempeh also work wonderfully in this soup.

Cabbage Soup Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Polish cabbage soup delights with hearty ingredients from Eastern European kitchens. Warm, comforting flavors blend perfectly for satisfying meals you’ll want to savor again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Vegetables:

• 1 small head cabbage, shredded
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquid and Canned Ingredients:

• 1 can (14 ounces / 400 grams) diced tomatoes
• 6 cups (1.4 liters) vegetable broth

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. In a spacious pot, warm olive oil at medium temperature for 3-4 minutes, sautéing chopped onions and minced garlic until they become aromatic and translucent.
2. Introduce diced carrots and chopped celery to the pot, allowing them to soften and develop gentle caramelization for approximately 3-4 minutes.
3. Incorporate shredded cabbage, diced tomatoes with their natural juices, fragrant vegetable broth, dried thyme, and oregano into the mixture. Season comprehensively with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
4. Elevate the liquid to a robust boil, then immediately reduce heat to low. Cover the pot and let the soup gently simmer for 20-25 minutes, ensuring vegetables reach a tender consistency.
5. Conduct a thorough taste evaluation, fine-tuning seasonings as necessary to enhance the soup’s overall flavor profile.
6. Transfer the steaming soup into serving bowls, optionally adorning with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant, herbaceous touch.

Notes

• Boost flavor by sautéing vegetables until golden brown, creating deeper caramelized notes that enhance overall taste profile.
• Choose fresh, crisp cabbage for maximum crunch and nutritional value, ensuring vegetables maintain their vibrant texture during cooking.
• Transform into low-carb version by replacing traditional vegetable broth with bone broth and adding extra protein like shredded chicken or diced tofu.
• Customize soup’s consistency by adding more broth for lighter soup or reducing liquid for heartier, stew-like texture that satisfies hunger more effectively.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 50
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 1g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 0mg