Comforting Cabbage Soup (Printable Version)

A light, budget-friendly soup packed with vegetables, ready in under an hour.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 small green cabbage (about 1.5 lbs), cored and chopped
02 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
03 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
04 - 1 medium onion, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
08 - 1 small zucchini, diced (optional)

→ Broth & Seasonings

09 - 6 cups vegetable broth, low sodium preferred
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
15 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes, optional
16 - Juice of 1/2 lemon, optional
17 - Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 5 minutes until slightly softened.
02 - Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the bell pepper, zucchini if using, and cabbage. Sauté for another 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Pour in the diced tomatoes and vegetable broth. Add thyme, oregano, black pepper, salt, and chili flakes if using.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, until all vegetables are tender.
06 - Adjust seasoning to taste. Stir in lemon juice if desired.
07 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Each spoonful feels like a gentle reset button for your body without feeling like youre sacrificing flavor or satisfaction.
  • The ingredients cost less than a fancy coffee yet make multiple meals that actually taste better the next day.
02 -
  • Dont rush the initial vegetable sauté, as those first 5 minutes develop deep flavor compounds that make the soup taste like its been simmering all day.
  • The soup will actually taste better the next day after the flavors have had time to fully develop in the refrigerator overnight.
03 -
  • For deeper flavor, roast the cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers in the oven before adding to the soup pot, which caramelizes their natural sugars and adds a subtle sweetness.
  • A parmesan rind simmered in the broth (if youre not keeping it vegan) adds an umami richness that makes the soup taste like its been cooking for hours longer.
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