Who would have thought that cabbage soup could taste this delicious?! I’m thrilled to share this tasty recipe with you today. If you’re looking to return to a healthy diet after the holidays, this cozy cabbage soup is an affordable winter option compared to leafy green salads.
Cabbage soup may trace its roots to Eastern Europe, but this recipe brings in uncomplicated Italian flavors. It begins with carrots, onion, and celery sautéed in a generous splash of olive oil. After these ingredients are tender, we’ll incorporate fresh garlic and dried oregano, then add chopped green cabbage.
You can use a whole small head of cabbage in this soup; it reduces in size as it releases moisture and becomes wonderfully soft while simmering. Crushed tomatoes and lemon juice provide much-appreciated acidity, breathing life into this straightforward soup!
Cabbage Advantages
Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable, similar to broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts. Cruciferous vegetables are genuine superfoods, and cabbage is a standout in the group.
Cabbage is rich in beneficial vitamins (especially vitamin K), minerals, and fiber (both soluble and insoluble). It’s recognized for its ability to decrease inflammation and enhance digestion.
From a culinary perspective, cabbage is also quite versatile. It’s inexpensive, lasts for weeks in the crisper drawer, and is simple to prepare. Whether peeling or slicing, cabbage is easy to handle and produces a substantial amount.
I enjoy using crunchy raw cabbage in slaws like this one. It’s wonderful when roasted until caramelized. This recipe demonstrates that it’s delightful in soups as well.
Serving Ideas
This cabbage soup recipe is light and nutritious. It’s unexpectedly filling in the moment due to all the vegetables and liquid, but it doesn’t constitute a complete meal on its own since it’s low in protein and calories. Consider it as a vegetable side dish instead—it can lighten up a rich meal or complement a protein-centered main course.
For a satisfying soup-and-salad pairing, serve it alongside a robust salad like my Farro and Kale Salad with Goat Cheese.
This soup is fantastic with my Favorite Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Alternatively, enjoy it with your preferred cheesy pizza, like my Ultimate Veggie Pizza or Butternut Squash Pizza topped with Arugula-Pepita Pesto.
For a cozy vegetarian brunch or lunch option, accompany cabbage soup with Butternut Squash Frittata with Fried Sage.
This soup is vegan as it is. To create a complete vegan meal, serve it with Hummus Quesadillas or my Best Vegan Lasagna. You can also make this soup heartier by adding a can of rinsed and drained chickpeas along with the water.
Additional Vegetable Soups to Relish
It’s soup season, so here are a few more vegetable-centric soup recipes to explore:
Please share how your soup turns out in the comments! I love hearing from you.
Cabbage Vegetable Soup
This tasty cabbage soup recipe is packed with vegetables. Serve it as a wholesome side dish on chilly days. Recipe yields 6 bowls of soup.
Instructions
1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and ¼ teaspoon of the salt. Cook until the vegetables are soft, stirring often, approximately 5 to 8 minutes.
2. Incorporate the garlic, oregano, and another ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook until aromatic, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute.
3. Raise the heat to medium-high and add the cabbage. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. Pour in the water and tomatoes (add 1 additional cup of water if you desire a more brothy soup). Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until the vegetables are tender, around 15 minutes.
5. Take the pot off the heat and mix in the fresh herbs, 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar, and about 10 twists of freshly ground pepper. Taste, and adjust as needed—add up to 1 more tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar for extra zest, another ¼ teaspoon salt for enhanced flavor, or additional black pepper. Serve in bowls. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Nutrition
The information provided is an estimate from an online nutrition calculator. It should not be seen as a replacement for professional nutritional advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.