1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Cabbage Soup

Cabbage Soup

Featured in Cozy Bowls of Comfort.

Don't let this simple cabbage soup fool you - it's a powerhouse of flavor and nutrition that'll warm you up from the inside out. Tender chunks of potato and white beans make it hearty enough for dinner, while the cabbage adds a natural sweetness as it cooks down in the bright tomato broth. We throw in plenty of carrots, celery, and onions, letting them slowly soften until they release all their flavor. A pinch of red pepper flakes adds just enough heat to keep things interesting, and a splash of vinegar at the end makes all the flavors pop. Grab a loaf of crusty bread because you'll want to soak up every last drop of this comforting bowl.
A young woman with wavy hair is gazing down contemplatively in a warmly lit kitchen filled with plants.
Updated on Thu, 16 Jan 2025 01:03:45 GMT
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Send Recipe Jump To Recipe
A rich vegetable soup with cabbage, carrots, and corn, garnished with fresh parsley, served in a black bowl. Pin it
A rich vegetable soup with cabbage, carrots, and corn, garnished with fresh parsley, served in a black bowl. | cookingkeys.com

Let me share my favorite soup that turned my cabbage-avoiding family into vegetable lovers! After discovering a beautiful head of cabbage at the farmers market I created this soup that's now our cold-weather staple. That amazing combination of tender cabbage hearty beans and fresh vegetables creates the most comforting bowl of goodness. The first time I made this my husband who claimed he didn't like cabbage asked for seconds!

Why This Soup Is Special

This isn't your ordinary cabbage soup! The natural sweetness of slowly cooked cabbage combined with fire-roasted tomatoes and that touch of white wine vinegar creates layers of flavor that'll make you forget you're eating so healthy. Last week when I made this for my friend who was feeling under the weather she said it was better than any medicine. Even my kids who usually push vegetables around their plates ask for more!

What You'll Need

  • The Vegetables:
    • Fresh green cabbage chopped into bite-size pieces
    • Sweet onion diced
    • Crisp carrots sliced
    • Fresh celery
    • Garlic cloves
    • Yukon gold potatoes
  • The Extras:
    • Good quality vegetable broth
    • White beans they make it so hearty
    • Fire-roasted tomatoes for depth
    • White wine vinegar our secret ingredient
    • Fresh parsley for garnish

Let's Start Cooking

Building Our Base
First we create magic with olive oil onions carrots and celery. When those vegetables start softening and releasing their flavors the kitchen already smells amazing! My kids always drift in asking what smells so good.
Adding Our Stars
In goes the cabbage potatoes and tomatoes watching everything start to cook down is like conducting a vegetable symphony! That splash of vinegar at the end brightens all the flavors.
The Final Touch
Adding those creamy white beans and fresh parsley transforms this from a simple soup into a complete meal. Every spoonful is perfectly balanced!
A bowl of hearty vegetable soup garnished with fresh thyme, alongside a pot of soup and a plaid cloth. Pin it
A bowl of hearty vegetable soup garnished with fresh thyme, alongside a pot of soup and a plaid cloth. | cookingkeys.com

Making It Perfect

Want my secrets for the best cabbage soup? Don't rush the vegetable base let those onions carrots and celery really soften. Cut your cabbage into similar-sized pieces so everything cooks evenly. And here's my favorite tip add that splash of vinegar at the very end it makes all the flavors pop!

Serving It Up

I love serving this in big bowls with plenty of crusty bread for soaking up all that delicious broth. For lunch I'll sometimes add a grilled cheese sandwich on the side. The soup actually gets better the next day when all those flavors have time to develop together. Sometimes I'll make a double batch just to have leftovers!

Keeping It Fresh

This soup stores beautifully! Keep it in the fridge for quick healthy lunches throughout the week. It even freezes perfectly just thaw and gently reheat when you need a comforting meal. I love having containers ready in the freezer for busy nights or when someone needs a nourishing meal.

Mix It Up

Don't be afraid to make this recipe your own! Sometimes I'll add different beans like chickpeas or kidney beans. My spice-loving son adds a pinch of red pepper flakes to his bowl. Once I added some Italian sausage for my meat-loving husband absolutely delicious! That's what makes cooking fun finding your perfect combination.

A close-up of a black pot filled with a colorful vegetable soup garnished with chopped herbs. Pin it
A close-up of a black pot filled with a colorful vegetable soup garnished with chopped herbs. | cookingkeys.com

Why This Recipe Matters

This soup has become our healthy comfort food tradition! There's something so satisfying about transforming simple vegetables into something so nourishing and delicious. My kids are learning about eating seasonally watching how we can create something wonderful from winter vegetables.

The best part isn't just how healthy it is it's seeing everyone's surprised faces when they discover how delicious cabbage can be! Whether you're making it for someone who needs comfort or just want a wholesome meal this never disappoints. And watching people discover the magic of simple ingredients? That's what makes cooking so rewarding!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What type of cabbage works best?

Green cabbage is ideal for this soup as it holds its texture while cooking and adds a mild, sweet flavor when tender.

→ Why use fire-roasted tomatoes?

Fire-roasted tomatoes add a deeper, slightly smoky flavor to the soup. Regular diced tomatoes can be substituted if needed.

→ Can I make this ahead?

Yes, this soup actually improves in flavor after a day. It keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

→ Why add vinegar?

The white wine vinegar adds brightness and balances the flavors of the vegetables. It helps cut through the richness of the soup.

→ Can I freeze this soup?

Yes, this soup freezes well for up to 3 months. The vegetables might be slightly softer when thawed but still delicious.

Conclusion

A nutritious and comforting soup that brings together fresh vegetables, tender cabbage, and protein-rich white beans in a flavorful tomato base.

Cabbage Soup

A hearty vegetarian soup combining fresh cabbage with vegetables, beans, and herbs in a flavorful tomato broth.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
35 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: European

Yield: 6 Servings (1 pot soup)

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil.
02 2 carrots, chopped.
03 1 medium yellow onion, diced.
04 1 celery rib, diced.
05 3/4 teaspoon sea salt.
06 Black pepper to taste.
07 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar.
08 2 (14.5 oz) cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes.
09 4 cups vegetable broth.
10 1 (15.5 oz) can white beans, drained.
11 4 cloves garlic, grated.
12 2 Yukon Gold potatoes, diced.
13 1 small green cabbage (about 1 pound).
14 1 teaspoon dried thyme.
15 Fresh parsley for garnish.

Instructions

Step 01

Sauté carrots, onion, celery with salt and pepper for 8 minutes.

Step 02

Stir in vinegar, then add tomatoes, broth, beans, garlic, potatoes, cabbage and thyme.

Step 03

Cover and cook 20-30 minutes until potatoes and cabbage are tender.

Step 04

Season to taste and garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

  1. Makes 6 servings.
  2. Good with crusty bread.
  3. Can use Dutch oven or large pot.

Tools You'll Need

  • Dutch oven or large pot.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~