This Is The Easiest and Best Cabbage Soup Recipe On the Internet (2024)

Cabbage, the Rodney Dangerfield of vegetables. It just can't seem to "get no respect"!

While under-appreciated, cabbage really is a wonder vegetable. Not only is it relatively inexpensive, it can easily keep a month or two in the fridge, and it is endlessly versatile in recipes. Whether raw in a coleslaw, blanched with butter, stuffed and wrapped, or made into a simple and delicious cabbage soup as we do here, cabbage is a work horse.

This Is The Easiest and Best Cabbage Soup Recipe On the Internet (1)

Simple Ingredients for Simple Cabbage Soup

Have you ever looked in your fridge and the only vegetable in good shape looking back at you is a single head of cabbage? Cabbage is like that; it can outlast almost any other vegetable. Now even if all you have in your fridge is some cabbage, there are only a few more pantry ingredients you need to make this easy, nourishing, and light cabbage soup.

To make this simple cabbage soup you only need fresh cabbage, onions, canned tomatoes, chicken stock, and a few spices.

Of course with so few ingredients the quality of the soup relies on the quality of your ingredients. Homemade chicken stock is the best (we'll also use Better than Bouillon in a pinch), and a good quality canned tomatoes makes all the difference (we use Muir Glen).

Ways to Adapt This Recipe

Want a little more oomph with your soup? You can easily add other vegetables, like chopped carrots with the onions, or sliced kale with the cabbage, or even bacon or sausage (cook gently before adding the onions), if you want a meatier version.

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What to Serve With Cabbage Soup

Serve this soup with some rye bread or garlic knots for sopping up all the broth. You can also serve this soup as a side dish with roast chicken, pork chops, or roast beef.

Storing and Freezing

This soup will keep in the fridge for about five days and can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop. You can also freeze the soup for up to three months.

Love Cabbage? Try These Other Great Recipes!

  • Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
  • Sweet and Sour Cabbage Soup
  • Corned Beef and Cabbage
  • Sweet and Sour German Red Cabbage
  • Pork Chops with Braised Cabbage

How Our Readers Make This Recipe Their Own

  • Andy Y: "I am not a big fan of tomato flavor, so I substituted an equal amount of mild green chili salsa. I also added chicken to make it a meal. I cooked 3 chicken breasts in the soup while it was cooking. When everything was cooked, I took out the chicken and shredded it. Delicious soup!"
  • Corrie: "I add 8 slices of half-cooked chopped up bacon and it’s even more amazing!"
  • Mark: "We'll add garbanzos sometimes, and we've used shaved brussels sprouts instead of cabbage."
  • Barbara: "I did a bit of improvising with what I have on hand. Vegetable broth added color and flavor as did stewed tomatoes. I also threw in some leftover country ribs that I cut up and two tired potatoes!"

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds (or 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander)

  • 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds (or 1/4 teaspoon ground fennel)

  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds (or 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin)

  • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon butter

  • 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 1/4 cups)

  • 1 small or 1/2 large green cabbage, sliced 1/4-inch (4 to 5 cups)

  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt (more or less depending on the saltiness of your stock)

  • 1 (15-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes

  • 4 cups chicken stock

  • Freshly ground black pepper

Method

  1. Grind the spices (if using whole spices):

    If using whole spices (coriander, fennel, cumin), grind them in a mortar and pestle or in a spice grinder until well ground.

  2. Sauté the onions and spices:

    Heat olive oil and butter in a 4-quart, thick bottomed pot on medium heat. Add the chopped onion and stir in the ground spices. Cook until the onions have softened, about 5 minutes.

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  3. Add the cabbage and tomatoes:

    Add the sliced cabbage to the pot and stir to mix the cabbage with the onions. If you are using unsalted stock, sprinkle the cabbage with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Add the canned whole tomatoes, with their juices, to the pot. Stir to combine.

    This Is The Easiest and Best Cabbage Soup Recipe On the Internet (4)

    This Is The Easiest and Best Cabbage Soup Recipe On the Internet (5)

  4. Add the stock, simmer till done:

    Add the chicken stock to the pot. Bring to a simmer and taste for salt. Add more salt to taste. Lower the heat and cover the pot.

    Let simmer for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cabbage is thoroughly cooked, breaking up tomatoes that are still whole.

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    This Is The Easiest and Best Cabbage Soup Recipe On the Internet (7)

  5. Serve:

    Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper to serve.

  • Budget Dinners
  • Easy Soups
  • Cabbage
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
179Calories
6g Fat
24g Carbs
9g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories179
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g8%
Saturated Fat 2g9%
Cholesterol 10mg3%
Sodium 567mg25%
Total Carbohydrate 24g9%
Dietary Fiber 5g18%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 9g
Vitamin C 78mg391%
Calcium 127mg10%
Iron 1mg8%
Potassium 767mg16%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

This Is The Easiest and Best Cabbage Soup Recipe On the Internet (2024)

FAQs

Does cabbage soup burn belly fat? ›

Does it work for weight loss? The Cabbage Soup Diet has never been studied, so it's impossible to confirm its effectiveness. While it may result in temporary, short-term weight loss, it is unlikely to lead to sustainable weight loss.

How much weight can you lose on the 7 day cabbage soup diet? ›

People who follow the diet strictly will likely lose some weight, potentially 10 pounds per week or more. This is because it involves eating so few calories each day. However, in most cases, people quickly regain this lost weight once they return to their regular diet.

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.

How to eat cabbage for weight loss? ›

If you want to lose weight, then consuming cabbage can prove to be beneficial for you. You can include cabbage juice, soup, boiled vegetables or chaat in your diet. But remember that cabbage should be consumed only after washing it thoroughly.

What is the Dolly Parton diet? ›

You may have heard of something called the Dolly Parton Diet — which consists of eating cabbage soup (yes, cabbage soup!) as your main meals along with fruit and vegetables. It's also known as the TWA Stewardess Diet and, well, the Cabbage Soup Diet.

How many times a day do you eat cabbage soup to lose weight? ›

Just like the name says, the bulk of this diet is fat-free cabbage soup, eaten two to three times a day with other allowed foods assigned each day.

What can't you eat on the cabbage soup diet? ›

The cabbage soup diet allows you to eat all of the cabbage soup you like in addition to adding certain foods on specific days throughout the week. No bread, alcohol, or carbonated beverages, including diet sodas.

Which soup is best for belly fat? ›

5 Best Soups That Will Help To Burn Belly Fat
  1. Vegetable soup. Lean protein from chicken combined with a variety of vegetables can make a satisfying and low-calorie soup that can help you feel full and satisfied.
  2. Chicken and vegetable soup. ...
  3. Black bean soup. ...
  4. Lentil soup. ...
  5. Tomato soup.
Nov 4, 2023

Can you drink coffee on the cabbage soup diet? ›

While there are no strict portion limits for the cabbage soup itself, you should listen to your body's hunger cues and eat until you are satisfied but not overly full. You should also remember to drink plenty of water and moderate amounts of herbal tea and black coffee to stay hydrated throughout the day.

What not to put in soup? ›

The Worst Things to Put in Your Soup
  1. By Sara Butler. If there's one good thing about fall and winter, it's soup. ...
  2. Heavy Cream. Heavy cream creates an inviting texture for soups but that's where its positive contributions end. ...
  3. Juice. ...
  4. Turkey Bacon. ...
  5. Cheese. ...
  6. Croutons.

Why does my stomach hurt after eating cabbage soup? ›

“Additionally, cruciferous vegetables—like cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts—contain raffinose, an indigestible sugar. As it's fermented by bacteria in the gut, gas is produced, which is why you may experience flatulence and discomfort after eating these foods.

Can you overcook cabbage in soup? ›

Yes, the cabbage is overcooked when it's very soft or pretty much falling apart in the soup. Just keep simmering until it's translucent and tender with a slight bite.

Does cabbage clean your gut? ›

May Help with Better Gut Health

As a natural source of dietary fiber, cabbage aids digestion and promotes regular bowel movements, reducing the risk of constipation. Furthermore, cabbage is a natural source of prebiotics, an indigestible fiber that acts as “fuel” for live and beneficial probiotics.

How much weight can you lose in a week on the cabbage diet? ›

Here's Why I Adore The Cabbage Soup Diet:

It's not science. Cut your calories, unhealthy sugar, and starches for a period of time while drinking lots of water, and you'll lose weight quickly. It's quick!! By the morning of my 8th day, the scale is always 7-10 lbs lighter.

How much cabbage soup should I eat a day? ›

Cabbage soup is low in calories and can be filling, thanks to the fiber that the veggie provides. 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.

What happens to your body when you eat 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.

Can I lose weight eating cabbage everyday? ›

Vegetables are crucial for weight loss, especially cruciferous vegetables like cabbage. These vegetables are low in calories and fibre-rich, making them a fantastic addition to a weight-loss diet. Cabbage, in particular, is a powerhouse of nutrients that can aid weight loss.

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