Healthy Cabbage Soup Recipe
If there’s one feel-good meal that can brighten your day and nourish your body at the same time, it’s Healthy Cabbage Soup. This timeless bowl is brimming with vibrant veggies, a savory-sweet tomato broth, and plenty of herbs—yet it stays light, satisfying, and refreshingly simple. Whether you’re looking for something fuss-free for a busy weeknight or aiming to sneak more plants into your routine, this soup feels like both a celebration and an embrace. Trust me when I say: once you try this Healthy Cabbage Soup, it’ll become a regular on your menu!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Healthy Cabbage Soup is how it turns humble, staple ingredients into something truly special. Each component has a role to play, whether it’s amping up the sweetness, lending color, or infusing the broth with delicious depth.
- Olive Oil: Adds a gentle richness and helps sauté the veggies to release their best flavors.
- Onion: Builds a sweet, aromatic base that makes the soup irresistibly savory.
- Garlic: Brings warmth and a hint of bite, brightening every spoonful.
- Carrots: Infuses the soup with subtle sweetness and gorgeous orange color.
- Celery: Lends a mild, herby crunch to round out the veggie medley.
- Green Cabbage: The star of the show, it softens beautifully and soaks up all those savory flavors.
- Red Bell Pepper: Offers a touch of sweetness and a lovely pop of color.
- Zucchini: Soaks up the broth and gives delicate texture with every bite.
- Diced Tomatoes: Adds juicy acidity and creates a flavorful, tomatoey broth.
- Low-Sodium Vegetable Broth: The backbone of the soup—keeps it light yet deeply satisfying.
- Dried Oregano: Infuses earthy, aromatic notes that complement all the veggies.
- Dried Basil: Brings a subtly sweet and slightly peppery flavor.
- Smoked Paprika: Gives a gentle smokiness and warm color (don’t skip it!).
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional): Sprinkle in for a little extra heat if you like a kick.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and highlighting all the other tastes.
- Fresh Parsley or Dill: Sprinkled on top for a refreshing, aromatic finish.
How to Make Healthy Cabbage Soup
Step 1: Sauté the Base Vegetables
Start by heating the olive oil in a sturdy, big pot over medium heat. Once it shimmers, add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Give everything a good stir and let these veggies cook for about 5 minutes. You want them to soften, become fragrant, and begin laying down a sweet, savory foundation for your Healthy Cabbage Soup.
Step 2: Add Cabbage, Bell Pepper, and Zucchini
Stir in the chopped cabbage along with the red bell pepper and zucchini. These will breathe life and color into your pot. Cook everything together for another 3 minutes—just until the cabbage starts to shrink down and the veggies begin mingling their flavors.
Step 3: Pour in Tomatoes and Broth
Now comes the part that transforms your sauté into a soup! Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juices) and the vegetable broth. Give your pot a gentle stir to blend everything together into a vibrant, veggie-packed base.
Step 4: Season and Simmer
It’s time for those herbs and spices to work their magic. Sprinkle in the oregano, basil, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes if you want a hint of heat. Season generously with salt and pepper. Bring the whole pot to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it bubble away uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes. The vegetables will become meltingly tender, and the flavors will mingle into a comforting, delicious broth.
Step 5: Taste, Adjust, and Serve
Before you ladle the soup, taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. A little extra salt, a splash more broth, or an extra sprinkle of herbs can make the soup truly your own. Finish with a generous handful of fresh parsley or dill for that final burst of freshness and color. Now your Healthy Cabbage Soup is ready to enjoy!
How to Serve Healthy Cabbage Soup
Garnishes
Don’t underestimate the power of the finishing touch. A generous scatter of chopped parsley or dill on top of your Healthy Cabbage Soup adds not just visual appeal, but also a burst of fresh, herby aroma. If you’re feeling playful, a few chili flakes or a squeeze of lemon juice can lift every spoonful even higher.
Side Dishes
While Healthy Cabbage Soup is wonderful on its own, consider pairing it with a slice of toasted sourdough or a hunk of seeded rye for some crunch and heartiness. If you’re after a lighter meal, a crisp green salad tossed in a lemony vinaigrette makes a bright, refreshing contrast to the warm veggies.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to wow guests or just add a little fun to family dinner, ladle the soup into colorful bowls and top with a swirl of dairy-free yogurt or ricotta. Serve with whole roasted chickpeas sprinkled on top, or float some grilled croutons right in the soup for extra texture and contrast. Kids love it when you serve Healthy Cabbage Soup in mugs for cozy sipping!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Healthy Cabbage Soup makes for some of the best leftovers around. Let the soup cool to room temperature, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’ll keep beautifully for up to 4 days, and the flavor actually deepens as it sits overnight.
Freezing
If you want to pack away some Healthy Cabbage Soup for quick meals later, you’re in luck! This soup freezes like a dream. Once cooled, transfer it in portions to airtight containers or freezer-safe bags, leaving a little room at the top for expansion. It’ll stay tasty in the freezer for up to 3 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge when you need it.
Reheating
To reheat, simply warm your soup in a pot over medium heat, stirring gently until hot throughout. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works too. If the soup has thickened from sitting, just add a splash of broth or water to loosen it up, and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
FAQs
Can I add other vegetables to Healthy Cabbage Soup?
Absolutely! This soup is a great canvas for whatever veggies you have on hand. Try adding green beans, chopped spinach, sliced mushrooms, or even a handful of kale to mix things up. The more, the merrier—just adjust cooking time as needed for different veggies.
Is Healthy Cabbage Soup good for meal prep?
Yes! In fact, it’s perfect for meal prep since the flavors get even better after a day or two. Make a big batch on Sunday, and you’ll have nourishing lunches or light dinners ready in minutes all week long.
How can I make Healthy Cabbage Soup more filling?
If you’re after a heartier meal, feel free to stir in cooked white beans, lentils, or shredded chicken for extra protein. A scoop of quinoa or brown rice also turns it into a super-satisfying bowl.
Is this soup suitable for special diets?
Definitely! Healthy Cabbage Soup is naturally vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and low in carbs. Just check your vegetable broth label to ensure it’s gluten-free, and you’re set.
Can I make Healthy Cabbage Soup in advance for a party?
Yes—if anything, it’s better that way! The soup tastes even more delicious once the flavors have had time to mingle. Simply reheat gently before serving and garnish to impress.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you’ll give this Healthy Cabbage Soup a try the next time you’re craving something wholesome, cozy, and packed with nourishing vegetables. It’s a recipe that’s as flexible as it is delicious, and perfect for sharing with anyone you love—or simply savoring a bowl all to yourself!
Print
Healthy Cabbage Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Healthy Cabbage Soup is a nutritious and flavorful dish packed with a variety of colorful vegetables and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a light and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Vegetable Base:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 small head green cabbage, chopped
Additions:
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 zucchini, diced
Seasonings:
- 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill
Instructions
- Heat olive oil: In a large pot over medium heat, sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until slightly softened.
- Add vegetables: Stir in cabbage, bell pepper, and zucchini; cook briefly.
- Combine ingredients: Add tomatoes, broth, herbs, seasonings, and simmer until vegetables are tender.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Garnish and serve: Finish with parsley or dill before serving.
Notes
- This soup is customizable with additional vegetables like green beans, spinach, or mushrooms.
- For more protein, consider adding cooked beans, lentils, or shredded chicken.
- It freezes well for up to 3 months, making it a convenient meal prep option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
