Classic Cabbage Soup (Printable)

Tender cabbage and vegetables in savory tomato broth, ready in 50 minutes. Vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free.

# 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 & 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

# How To Make It:

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 to 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 to 30 minutes until the cabbage and vegetables are tender.
07 - Remove and discard the bay leaf. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
08 - Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It turns the simplest vegetables into something deeply comforting without any fuss.
  • The broth gets naturally sweet as the cabbage softens, and every spoonful feels nourishing.
  • You can make a huge pot for almost nothing and it tastes even better the next day.
02 -
  • Don't rush the initial sauté, those few minutes of softening the vegetables before adding liquid make a huge difference in flavor.
  • If your cabbage tastes bitter, add a pinch of sugar or an extra splash of tomato to balance it out.
03 -
  • Taste the soup halfway through simmering and add a pinch more salt or a splash of vinegar if it feels flat.
  • Let the soup rest for 10 minutes off the heat before serving, it allows the flavors to settle and the broth to thicken slightly.
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