Best Cabbage Soup Recipe (So Flavorful!) - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

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This Cabbage Soup is one of the best ways to enjoy fresh cabbage! It’s incredibly flavorful, packed with healthy veggies, and perfect for lunch or dinner.

Best Cabbage Soup Recipe (So Flavorful!) - Kristine's Kitchen (1)

I never thought I would be singing the praises of a soup made with cabbage, but this cabbage soup is crave-worthy. When I was testing this recipe, it immediately became one of our favorite soups, right along with our most-loved Vegetable Soup and this hearty Lentil Soup.

In this easy soup recipe, a few simple seasonings and lots of healthy vegetables come together to make a soup that’s incredibly flavorful and nutritious. After it simmers on the stove, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice is the perfect finishing touch and really brightens up the flavors. We’ve been making this recipe on repeat because it’s just so good.

This cabbage soup comes together quickly and smells so delicious as it simmers on the stove. I like to serve it with some crusty bread for dunking, or homemade Garlic Knots if I’m in a baking mood. The best part about this hearty soup is that it becomes even more flavorful after a day or two in the fridge, as the flavors meld together. The leftovers reheat wonderfully and are perfect for lunches later in the week.

Cabbage Soup Recipe Ingredients

This cabbage soup recipe calls for simple ingredients that combine to make the best cabbage soup!

Best Cabbage Soup Recipe (So Flavorful!) - Kristine's Kitchen (2)

  • Olive Oil: The vegetables are sautéed in a generous amount of olive oil, which adds flavor and richness to this healthy soup.
  • Onion, Celery & Carrots: This trio of vegetables is used as the base of many soup recipes. The onion, carrots and celery bring lots of flavor.
  • Garlic: There’s no substitute for the flavor of fresh garlic!
  • Green Cabbage: Fresh green cabbage is first sautéed to develop its flavor, and then simmered in the soup until tender.
  • Seasonings: Dried thyme, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt and pepper are a delicious combination of seasonings that gives this cabbage soup the best flavor. It’s a little smoky, savory, and all around delicious!
  • Diced Tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes are an easy way to add more flavor.
  • Vegetable Broth: I recommend using low sodium vegetable broth so that you can better control the amount of salt in the soup.
  • White Beans: To add some filling protein and make the soup heartier. Cannellini beans or small white beans work well, or feel free to use chickpeas.
  • Lemon Juice: I highly recommend adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the soup after it cooks. It really makes the flavors pop!

How to Make Cabbage Soup

A few simple steps make all the difference in making the most flavorful cabbage soup. Here’s an overview of how to make this recipe. Find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card below.

  1. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or other heavy pot. Then add the onion, celery and carrot to the pot and sauté until the vegetables soften. Best Cabbage Soup Recipe (So Flavorful!) - Kristine's Kitchen (3)
  2. Meanwhile, prepare the cabbage. Wash it and then cut it into quarters and slice out the core. Chop the cabbage into pieces that are about 1/2-inch by 2-inches in size. See my Coleslaw Recipe for photos that show how to core cabbage.
  3. Add the cabbage, garlic and seasonings to the pot. Then cook, stirring often, for about 3 minutes. This step of sautéing the cabbage with the seasonings adds so much flavor to the soup. Best Cabbage Soup Recipe (So Flavorful!) - Kristine's Kitchen (4)
  4. Next, stir in the diced tomatoes, vegetable broth and white beans. Best Cabbage Soup Recipe (So Flavorful!) - Kristine's Kitchen (5)
  5. Cover the pot and simmer the soup for 20-25 minutes, until the veggies are tender.
  6. Finally, stir in the lemon juice. Taste the soup and season it with more salt and pepper, if needed. Then serve and enjoy!

Best Cabbage Soup Recipe (So Flavorful!) - Kristine's Kitchen (6)

What to Serve with Cabbage Soup

Enjoy this cabbage soup with a Green Salad or Kale Salad and some crusty bread, Dinner Rolls or Cornbread.

Storage & Reheating Tips

This soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat soup in a pot on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave.

Best Cabbage Soup Recipe (So Flavorful!) - Kristine's Kitchen (7)

More Vegetable Soup Recipes

If you love this cabbage soup recipe, you might also enjoy these easy soup recipes:

  • Cauliflower Soup
  • Broccoli Cheddar Soup
  • Tomato Soup
  • Carrot Ginger Soup
  • Butternut Squash Soup
  • Crockpot Potato Soup
  • Vegetable Soup
  • Minestrone Soup
  • Split Pea Soup

Best Cabbage Soup Recipe (So Flavorful!) - Kristine's Kitchen (8)

4.50 from 4 ratings

Cabbage Soup

This Cabbage Soup is healthy and full of flavor! Cabbage, veggies, beans and a delicious combination of seasonings make this cabbage soup the best. It's one of our favorite vegetarian soup recipes, perfect for lunch or dinner.

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Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 ribs celery, chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ large green cabbage, or 1 small cabbage
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¾ teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
  • 15 ounces canned diced tomatoes, with their juices
  • 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
  • 15 ounce can white beans, or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, or to taste

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion, celery and carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6 minutes.

  • Meanwhile, wash, dry, and core the cabbage. Slice the cabbage into pieces that are approximately ½ inch by 2 inches.

  • Add the garlic, cabbage, dried thyme, cumin, smoked paprika, salt and pepper to the pot. Cook, stirring often, for 3 minutes.

  • Add the diced tomatoes, vegetable broth and white beans. Stir. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the soup to a boil. Then reduce the heat to a low simmer, cover the pot, and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.

  • Turn off the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Serve.

Notes

  • Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Calories: 204kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Sodium: 1062mg, Potassium: 729mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 4040IU, Vitamin C: 39mg, Calcium: 129mg, Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is an estimate.

Cuisine: American

Course: Main Course, Soup

Tried this recipe?Mention @kristines_kitchen on Instagram or tag #kristineskitchenblog.

This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Kristine's Kitchen!

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posted by Kristine Rosenblatt on Feb 21, 2022 (last updated Nov 18, 2022)

10 comments Leave a comment »

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10 comments on “Cabbage Soup”

  1. Jan G. Reply

    Hi Kristine, Approximately how many cups of cabbage do you use for this soup? Thanks!

    • Best Cabbage Soup Recipe (So Flavorful!) - Kristine's Kitchen (12)

      Kristine Rosenblatt Reply

      Hi Jan, I didn’t measure the cabbage by cups, but the recipe is very forgiving, so if you use a little more or less cabbage the soup will still turn out delicious.

  2. Barb M. Reply

    Delicious and very satisfying! Just the kind of soup I was looking for. I added some mushrooms that needed to be eaten and was able to use quite a bit of cabbage. Thank you for the recipe!

  3. Meredith Reply

    When is the cabbage added? It’s not mentioned in which step to add it.

  4. Meredith Reply

    Never mind I found the step, apparently I can’t read 🤣 Making this week with leftover cabbage from corned beef. Can’t wait!

  5. Gregory Diehl Reply

    Made this twice already. I added some chicken apple sausage. My wife and I love it. Thank you. Wish I could post a pic.

  6. Hazel Reply

    Hi Kristine

    I have red cabbage on hand, can I substitute it for the green cabbage?.

    • Best Cabbage Soup Recipe (So Flavorful!) - Kristine's Kitchen (13)

      Kristine Rosenblatt Reply

      Hi Hazel,
      I wouldn’t recommend it, red cabbage has a different flavor.

  7. Susan Reply

    I think it has way too much dried thyme. Sorry. I tried adding V-8 and taking out some of the original broth. I am always looking for different soup recipes and especially soups with cabbage. I think I will try it again without the thyme and maybe add some protein.

    • Best Cabbage Soup Recipe (So Flavorful!) - Kristine's Kitchen (14)

      Kristine Rosenblatt Reply

      Hi Susan, Thank you for your feedback. Adapting the recipe slightly to better suit your tastes is a great idea.

Leave a comment »

Best Cabbage Soup Recipe (So Flavorful!) - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Why does my cabbage soup taste so bland? ›

Not Adding Acid

If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl.

Does the cabbage soup diet really work? ›

Like other very low calorie diets, the Cabbage Soup Diet will likely cause temporary weight loss. But people who follow it tend to regain most of the weight lost unless they make other permanent changes. Additionally, eating only cabbage soup is nutritionally unbalanced and not safe.

How many times a day are you supposed to eat cabbage soup diet? ›

Most variations of this diet suggest that people eat this soup two to three times a day, although some variations enable the participants to consume even more of the soup. The cabbage soup used in this diet combines ingredients like broth, nonstarchy vegetables, pepper, herbs and, of course, cabbage.

What happens if you do the cabbage soup diet for 2 weeks? ›

It will likely leave you feeling hungry, weak, and bored. You might even feel sick. And if you follow the Cabbage Soup Diet for more than a week, you could run short on key nutrients. Nor does the diet encourage the necessary lifestyle changes you need to make in order to be healthier and have lasting weight loss.

What gives soup the best flavor? ›

Herbs and spices add aroma, flavor, and intensity to soup broth. "Use fresh or dried basil in tomato-based recipes or fresh parsley to add freshness to clear broth soups," says Sofia Norton, RD. You can also go with more heat and spices.

How do you make soup more flavorful? ›

Use fresh vegetables, high-quality meats or broth, and fresh herbs to add depth of flavor. Add acidity: A squeeze of lemon or lime juice, a dash of vinegar, or a splash of wine can brighten the flavors of a soup and make it taste more complex.

What are the side effects of the cabbage soup diet? ›

Gas, Abdominal Pain and Bloating

For this reason, it is no surprise that gas, bloating and abdominal pain are common reported side effects of the Cabbage Soup Diet. Symptoms vary in severity and frequency, depending upon how much cabbage soup you consume and your sensitivity to gas-causing substances in cabbage.

What can you not eat on a cabbage soup diet? ›

You cannot eat (or drink) any food or beverage that is not on the 7-day cabbage soup meal plan. This includes alcohol, most grains and bread products, sugary drinks and fruit juices, and high-fat foods.

What is the Dolly Parton diet? ›

The diet that Dolly Parton reportedly followed during her bingeing and dieting cycles is known as the Cabbage Soup Diet. It is a short-term weight loss plan that involves consuming a low-calorie cabbage soup along with a specific set of allowed food items for a duration of seven days.

How to lose 10 pounds in a week? ›

To lose 10 pounds in one week, you'll need to burn between 3,500 and 5,000 calories more than you consume each day by restricting your diet to small portions of nutritious yet low-calorie foods, and significantly increasing your aerobic exercise with interval training, sports, and other vigorous activities.

Can you eat cabbage soup to lose weight? ›

Some people may lose weight using the cabbage soup diet. However, there is no scientific evidence to support the diet's suitability for healthy weight loss. The cabbage soup diet is a diet fad that became popular in the 1980s. It involves eating primarily cabbage soup for 1 week.

Can you cheat on cabbage soup diet? ›

The cabbage soup diet has low calories. Eat as much cabbage soup as you would like to keep your stamina up and drink plenty of water. If I start to feel sluggish, I cheat and have a baked sweet potato, a protein shake, or some juice.

Why do people lose weight with cabbage soup? ›

The cabbage soup diet stimulates the body's metabolism and fat mobilization. This diet limits your calorie intake and causes your body to burn fat for energy. Low sodium, low calories, and high fiber allow you to lose weight faster if you followed a reasonable long-term dietary plan.

Why do you lose so much weight on the cabbage soup diet? ›

The Cabbage Soup diet promises dieters can lose up to 10 pounds in 7 days. The main reason for this is that it severely restricts calories. The low end of the range is for people who are sedentary while the high end of the range is for people who are active.

Can you drink water on the cabbage soup diet? ›

Eat only soup and fruit. Drink unsweetened tea and coffee. (Stick with water, unsweetened fruit juice and cranberry juice, but no diet soda, no carbonated beverages, no alcohol.)

How do I fix bland tasting soup? ›

Add a little bit of vinegar or lemon juice to your soup to make it taste better. Use a high-quality broth or stock as a base for your soup. Roast or caramelize your vegetables before adding them to your soup to bring out their natural sweetness.

What to do when your soup has no flavor? ›

Herbs and sources add flavor, aroma, and intensity to the soup broth. You can pick fresh or dried herbs like basil for tomato-based soups or fresh parsley for clear broths. You may also add more spices like turmeric, ground ginger, ground paprika, or nutmeg for a touch of spice and color to your soup broth.

Why is my cabbage bland? ›

You don't salt your cabbage appropriately

The second most popular people dislike cooking cabbage is how bland it may taste thanks to the excess moisture it releases during cooking. So, if you're making a slaw, experts advise that you salt the cabbage before combining it with other vegetables.

How do you salvage bland soup? ›

Not enough depth: A well-rounded soup has multiple layers of flavour, including acidity, umami, and sweetness. If your soup is missing any of these, it may taste bland. Adding ingredients like vinegar or lemon juice for acidity, parmesan cheese for umami, or even a touch of sweetness can make a world of difference.

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