Classic Cabbage Soup (Printable)

Tender cabbage and vegetables simmered in a savory tomato broth. Light, nutritious, and ready in 50 minutes.

# Components:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium head green cabbage, cored and chopped (approximately 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 ounces) diced tomatoes with juice
07 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste

→ Broth & 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, optional

# Method:

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 minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the chopped cabbage, stir well, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until it begins to wilt.
04 - Mix in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
05 - Add the diced tomatoes with juice, vegetable broth, dried thyme, bay leaf, smoked paprika if using, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine thoroughly.
06 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cabbage and vegetables are completely tender.
07 - Discard the bay leaf and adjust seasoning to taste.
08 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour and tastes like you fussed over it for much longer.
  • One pot means minimal cleanup, which is honestly half the battle on busy nights.
  • It's naturally vegetarian and gluten-free without feeling restrictive or boring.
02 -
  • The bay leaf will hide itself cunningly in the pot, so mark its location mentally or use a kitchen string tied to it to make retrieval foolproof.
  • Don't skip tasting as you simmer—vegetables release water as they cook, which dilutes seasoning, so adjust near the end rather than at the beginning.
03 -
  • Invest in a quality vegetable broth—it's the foundation, and a thin or overly salty broth will haunt your final bowl.
  • Don't crowd the pot when you first sauté the aromatics; giving them space helps them caramelize properly instead of steaming.
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