Classic Cabbage Soup (Printable Version)

A comforting blend of tender cabbage and vegetables in a rich tomato broth. Ideal for a light, warming, and nutritious meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium head green cabbage, cored and chopped (about 6 cups)
02 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
03 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Tomato Base

06 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
07 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste

→ Broth and Seasoning

08 - 6 cups vegetable broth
09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1 bay leaf
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# Steps:

01 - Heat a large soup pot over medium heat. Add a splash of oil, then sauté the onion, carrot, and celery for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the chopped cabbage. Stir well and cook for 3–4 minutes until it begins to wilt.
04 - Mix in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
05 - Add diced tomatoes with juice, vegetable broth, thyme, bay leaf, smoked paprika if using, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
06 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25–30 minutes, or until the cabbage and vegetables are tender.
07 - Discard the bay leaf. Adjust seasoning if needed.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its incredibly budget friendly and feeds a crowd for pennies
  • The soup actually tastes better the next day as flavors meld together
  • Everything goes into one pot and simmers away while you do other things
02 -
  • The cabbage keeps releasing water as it cooks, so the soup will get thinner over time
  • If you're reheating leftovers, add a splash of broth or water since it thickens up in the fridge
  • Smoked paprika is the secret ingredient that makes people ask what's different about your soup
03 -
  • Cut your cabbage into uniform pieces so everything cooks evenly
  • If your broth is on the saltier side, hold off on adding salt until the very end
  • A splash of vinegar right before serving brightens all the flavors
Go Back