The Ultimate Cabbage Soup Recipe for a Healthy Meal

Cabbage soup is a simple dish that people have enjoyed for hundreds of years. It is a warm, liquid meal made by simmering fresh vegetables and savory broth in a large pot. Many people like this soup because it tastes good and feels light in your stomach. It is a great choice if you want to eat more vegetables or if you feel a bit under the weather. This recipe uses basic items you can find at any grocery store. You do not need expensive tools or special skills to make it.

I have cooked thousands of pots of soup in my life. I learned that the best soup comes from patience and fresh ingredients. Cabbage might seem boring to some, but it becomes sweet and soft when you cook it slowly. This recipe combines the crunch of cabbage with the sweetness of carrots and the savory taste of onions. It fills your kitchen with a wonderful smell. You can eat this soup for lunch or dinner. It also tastes even better the next day after the flavors mix together in the fridge.

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Reasons to Try Cabbage Soup

This soup is a favorite for many families because it is very cheap to make. A single head of cabbage can feed a whole group of people. Here are the best parts about this dish:

• Soft and Crunchy Textures: The cabbage gets soft enough to melt in your mouth, but other vegetables like carrots keep a little bit of bite.
• Sweet and Savory Flavor: Onions and garlic provide a deep, savory base. The cabbage adds a natural sweetness as it breaks down in the heat.
• Very Healthy: This soup has many vitamins. It is low in fat and has a lot of fiber, which helps your digestion.
• Easy to Cook: You only need one big pot. This means you have very few dishes to wash when you finish eating.

Ingredients Notes

Selecting the right ingredients makes a big difference in how your cabbage soup tastes.

• Green Cabbage: Look for a head of cabbage that feels heavy for its size. The leaves should be tight and bright green. Avoid any cabbage with brown spots or wilted leaves.
• Vegetable Broth: Use a high-quality broth. If you can, use a low-sodium version so you can control the salt yourself.
• Carrots and Celery: These are the “aromatics.” They provide the background flavor for the whole soup.
• Canned Tomatoes: I prefer diced tomatoes. They add a bit of acid which cuts through the sweetness of the cabbage.
• Garlic: Use fresh garlic cloves instead of the kind from a jar. Fresh garlic has a much stronger and better smell.

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How to Make Cabbage Soup

Follow these steps to create a perfect pot of soup.

1. Prepare the vegetables: Wash all your vegetables. Chop the cabbage into small ribbons. Dice the onions, carrots, and celery into small, even pieces. Mince the garlic.
2. Sauté the base: Place a large pot on the stove over medium heat. Add a small amount of oil. Put the onions, carrots, and celery into the pot. Stir them for about 5 minutes until the onions look clear.
3. Add garlic: Put the garlic in the pot. Stir it for only 1 minute. Do not let it turn brown or it will taste bitter.
4. Add the cabbage: Dump the chopped cabbage into the pot. It will look like a lot, but it will shrink as it gets hot.
5. Pour the liquids: Add the vegetable broth and the canned tomatoes. Add a pinch of salt and black pepper.
6. Simmer the soup: Turn the heat up until the liquid bubbles. Then, turn the heat down to low. Put a lid on the pot.
7. Cook until soft: Let the soup simmer for 30 to 40 minutes. Test a piece of cabbage with a fork. If it is soft, the soup is ready.
8. Season: Taste the soup. Add a little more salt or pepper if you think it needs it.

What You Must Know About Cabbage Soup

Before you start, there are a few things an expert cook knows that beginners might miss.

Do not overcook the cabbage. If you boil the soup for hours, the cabbage will turn grey and smell very strong. You want it to be tender but still hold its shape.

Watch the salt. Broth often has a lot of salt already. Always taste your soup before you add extra salt. You can always add more at the end, but you cannot take it out once it is in there.

Cutting size matters. Try to cut your carrots and celery into the same size. This ensures that every vegetable finishes cooking at the exact same time.

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Helpful Tips

• Use a Sharp Knife: Cabbage is round and can slide around. Use a sharp knife to slice through the tough core safely.
• The Squeeze of Lemon: Right before you serve the soup, squeeze half of a fresh lemon into the pot. The brightness of the lemon makes all the other flavors “pop.”
• Bloom your spices: If you use dried herbs like oregano or thyme, add them to the oil with the onions. This wakes up the flavor of the herbs.

Variations and Substitutions

You can change this recipe based on what you have in your kitchen.

• Add Protein: If you want a heavier meal, add canned white beans or kidney beans. Wash the beans in cold water before adding them to the pot.
• Change the Greens: You can use kale or red cabbage instead of green cabbage. Note that red cabbage will turn your soup a purple color!
• Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat in your mouth.
• Potato Version: Add diced potatoes at the same time as the broth to make the soup more filling.

Serving Suggestions for Cabbage Soup

I like to serve this soup in big ceramic bowls. It looks beautiful when you top it with fresh chopped parsley.

You can serve this soup with a thick slice of crusty bread. The bread is perfect for dipping into the broth. If you like cheese, a small sprinkle of parmesan on top adds a nice salty finish. This soup also pairs well with a simple side salad.

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Storage and Reheating

Storage: Put the leftover soup in a container with a tight lid. It stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze this soup for up to 3 months.

Reheating: To eat it again, put the soup in a small pot on the stove. Heat it over medium heat until it starts to bubble. You can also use a microwave. Put the soup in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it for 2 minutes, stir it, and heat for 1 more minute.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

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The Ultimate Cabbage Soup Recipe for a Healthy Meal

Learn how to make a delicious and simple cabbage soup with fresh vegetables. This focus keyword cabbage soup recipe is perfect for a warm, healthy meal.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Soup

Cuisine European

Servings 6 servings

Calories 120 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 head green cabbage
• 2 carrots
• 2 stalks celery
• 1 onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• salt
• pepper
• 1 lemon.

Instructions

 

• Chop vegetables.
• Sauté onion, carrots, and celery in oil.
• Add garlic.
• Add cabbage, broth, and tomatoes.
• Simmer for 35 minutes until soft.
• Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.

healthy, winter, vegetable, easy, low calorie