Of course! Cabbage soup is the ultimate comfort food that’s also incredibly healthy, budget-friendly, and versatile. It can be a light broth-based soup or a hearty, tomato-based meal.
Here is a guide to a classic, hearty Hearty Cabbage Soup (like the popular “Weight Loss” soup, but more satisfying), a Simple Brothy Version, and tips for customizing it to your taste.
Hearty Cabbage Soup (Tomato-Based)
This version is robust, flavorful, and feels like a complete meal in a bowl.
Yields: 6-8 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
· Aromatics & Protein:
· 2 tbsp olive oil
· 1 large onion, chopped
· 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
· 2 celery stalks, sliced
· 3 cloves garlic, minced
· 1 lb lean ground beef, turkey, or Italian sausage (optional, for a meatless version, omit)
· Vegetables & Cabbage:
· 1 small head green cabbage (about 2 lbs), cored and chopped
· 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
· 6 cups beef broth, chicken broth, or vegetable broth
· Seasonings:
· 1 tsp dried oregano
· 1 tsp dried thyme
· 2 bay leaves
· 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
· Salt and black pepper to taste
· Optional Add-ins:
· 1 cup chopped potatoes
· 1 cup chopped green beans
· ½ cup tomato paste for a richer tomato flavor
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics & Meat: In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. If using ground meat, add it here, break it up with a spoon, and cook until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
- Build the Soup: Add the chopped cabbage, diced tomatoes with their juices, broth, oregano, thyme, bay leaves, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes, or until the cabbage and other vegetables are very tender. (Simmering for longer, like 45-60 minutes, deepens the flavor).
- Season and Serve: Remove the bay leaves. Season generously with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Simple Brothy Cabbage Soup (Lighter Version)
This is a cleaner, lighter soup that highlights the sweet, delicate flavor of cabbage. It’s soothing and refreshing.
Yields: 4-6 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
· 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
· 1 large leek (white and light green parts only) or yellow onion, chopped
· 2 cloves garlic, minced
· 1 small head green cabbage, cored and thinly sliced
· 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
· 1 teaspoon caraway seeds or dill weed (optional, but classic)
· Salt and white pepper to taste
· Fresh parsley or dill for garnish
· A squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot, heat the oil or butter over medium heat. Add the leek or onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Wilt Cabbage: Add the sliced cabbage and stir to coat in the oil. Cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage has wilted significantly.
- Simmer: Pour in the broth and add the caraway seeds or dill (if using). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes, until the cabbage is very tender.
- Finish: Season with salt and white pepper. Right before serving, stir in a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten all the flavors. Garnish with fresh herbs.
Recipe Notes & Endless Variations
· The “Diet” Soup: For the famous 7-day cabbage soup diet version, omit the oil and meat. Use only onions, garlic, cabbage, carrots, celery, green beans, tomatoes, and vegetable broth with lots of herbs. It’s very low-calorie but not designed for long-term enjoyment.
· Make it a “Unstuffed” Cabbage Soup: Add 1 cup of cooked rice and swap the ground beef for 1 lb of ground pork. Use a 15oz can of tomato sauce instead of diced tomatoes and add 2 tbsp of brown sugar and 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar for that sweet-and-sour flavor.
· Sausage & White Bean: Use Italian sausage instead of ground beef and add 2 cans of drained and rinsed cannellini beans with the cabbage.
· Tomato-Free Version: Omit the diced tomatoes. Use all broth and add extra vegetables like potatoes, turnips, or parsnips.
· Key to Flavor: Don’t skip the step of sautéing the aromatics (onion, carrots, celery). This builds a foundational flavor that you can’t get by just boiling everything.
· Storage & Reheating: This soup keeps wonderfully in the fridge for up to 5 days and freezes for up to 3 months. The flavors often taste even better the next day. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
· Serving Suggestions: Serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, a dollop of sour cream, or a slice of crusty bread for dipping.
No matter which version you choose, you’re in for a healthy, comforting, and delicious meal. Enjoy