This Is The Easiest and Best Cabbage Soup Recipe On the Internet (2024)

Cabbage, the Rodney Dangerfield of vegetables. It just can't seem to "get no respect"!

While under-appreciated, cabbage really is a wonder vegetable. Not only is it relatively inexpensive, it can easily keep a month or two in the fridge, and it is endlessly versatile in recipes. Whether raw in a coleslaw, blanched with butter, stuffed and wrapped, or made into a simple and delicious cabbage soup as we do here, cabbage is a work horse.

This Is The Easiest and Best Cabbage Soup Recipe On the Internet (1)

Simple Ingredients for Simple Cabbage Soup

Have you ever looked in your fridge and the only vegetable in good shape looking back at you is a single head of cabbage? Cabbage is like that; it can outlast almost any other vegetable. Now even if all you have in your fridge is some cabbage, there are only a few more pantry ingredients you need to make this easy, nourishing, and light cabbage soup.

To make this simple cabbage soup you only need fresh cabbage, onions, canned tomatoes, chicken stock, and a few spices.

Of course with so few ingredients the quality of the soup relies on the quality of your ingredients. Homemade chicken stock is the best (we'll also use Better than Bouillon in a pinch), and a good quality canned tomatoes makes all the difference (we use Muir Glen).

Ways to Adapt This Recipe

Want a little more oomph with your soup? You can easily add other vegetables, like chopped carrots with the onions, or sliced kale with the cabbage, or even bacon or sausage (cook gently before adding the onions), if you want a meatier version.

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What to Serve With Cabbage Soup

Serve this soup with some rye bread or garlic knots for sopping up all the broth. You can also serve this soup as a side dish with roast chicken, pork chops, or roast beef.

Storing and Freezing

This soup will keep in the fridge for about five days and can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop. You can also freeze the soup for up to three months.

Love Cabbage? Try These Other Great Recipes!

  • Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
  • Sweet and Sour Cabbage Soup
  • Corned Beef and Cabbage
  • Sweet and Sour German Red Cabbage
  • Pork Chops with Braised Cabbage

How Our Readers Make This Recipe Their Own

  • Andy Y: "I am not a big fan of tomato flavor, so I substituted an equal amount of mild green chili salsa. I also added chicken to make it a meal. I cooked 3 chicken breasts in the soup while it was cooking. When everything was cooked, I took out the chicken and shredded it. Delicious soup!"
  • Corrie: "I add 8 slices of half-cooked chopped up bacon and it’s even more amazing!"
  • Mark: "We'll add garbanzos sometimes, and we've used shaved brussels sprouts instead of cabbage."
  • Barbara: "I did a bit of improvising with what I have on hand. Vegetable broth added color and flavor as did stewed tomatoes. I also threw in some leftover country ribs that I cut up and two tired potatoes!"

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds (or 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander)

  • 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds (or 1/4 teaspoon ground fennel)

  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds (or 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin)

  • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon butter

  • 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 1/4 cups)

  • 1 small or 1/2 large green cabbage, sliced 1/4-inch (4 to 5 cups)

  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt (more or less depending on the saltiness of your stock)

  • 1 (15-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes

  • 4 cups chicken stock

  • Freshly ground black pepper

Method

  1. Grind the spices (if using whole spices):

    If using whole spices (coriander, fennel, cumin), grind them in a mortar and pestle or in a spice grinder until well ground.

  2. Sauté the onions and spices:

    Heat olive oil and butter in a 4-quart, thick bottomed pot on medium heat. Add the chopped onion and stir in the ground spices. Cook until the onions have softened, about 5 minutes.

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  3. Add the cabbage and tomatoes:

    Add the sliced cabbage to the pot and stir to mix the cabbage with the onions. If you are using unsalted stock, sprinkle the cabbage with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Add the canned whole tomatoes, with their juices, to the pot. Stir to combine.

    This Is The Easiest and Best Cabbage Soup Recipe On the Internet (4)

    This Is The Easiest and Best Cabbage Soup Recipe On the Internet (5)

  4. Add the stock, simmer till done:

    Add the chicken stock to the pot. Bring to a simmer and taste for salt. Add more salt to taste. Lower the heat and cover the pot.

    Let simmer for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cabbage is thoroughly cooked, breaking up tomatoes that are still whole.

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    This Is The Easiest and Best Cabbage Soup Recipe On the Internet (7)

  5. Serve:

    Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper to serve.

  • Budget Dinners
  • Easy Soups
  • Cabbage
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
179Calories
6g Fat
24g Carbs
9g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories179
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g8%
Saturated Fat 2g9%
Cholesterol 10mg3%
Sodium 567mg25%
Total Carbohydrate 24g9%
Dietary Fiber 5g18%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 9g
Vitamin C 78mg391%
Calcium 127mg10%
Iron 1mg8%
Potassium 767mg16%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

This Is The Easiest and Best Cabbage Soup Recipe On the Internet (2024)

FAQs

What makes you lose weight on the cabbage soup diet? ›

This diet, however, is highly calorie deficient, restrictive, and not sustainable. Thus, experts warn against its potential health hazards. The cabbage soup diet stimulates the body's metabolism and fat mobilization. This diet limits your calorie intake and causes your body to burn fat for energy.

What are the results of the 1 week cabbage soup diet? ›

People who follow the diet strictly will likely lose some weight, potentially 10 pounds per week or more. This is because it involves eating so few calories each day. However, in most cases, people quickly regain this lost weight once they return to their regular diet.

How many times a day do you eat cabbage soup on the cabbage soup diet? ›

Most variations of this diet suggest that people eat this soup two to three times a day, although some variations enable the participants to consume even more of the soup. The cabbage soup used in this diet combines ingredients like broth, nonstarchy vegetables, pepper, herbs and, of course, cabbage.

Do doctors recommend the cabbage soup diet? ›

The Cabbage Soup Diet is a short-term weight loss diet. Proponents of the diet say that it can help you lose up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) in a single week, but many health experts warn that the diet does not promote health and wellness, and results are unsustainable.

What are the disadvantages of the cabbage soup diet? ›

Cons:
  • Cabbage commonly causes bloating and flatulence because of its high fiber content. ...
  • The diet is strict, allowing only relatively bland foods. ...
  • The diet may cause weakness and fatigue due to low-calorie and low protein intake.
Jan 5, 2021

What happens if you do the cabbage soup diet for 2 weeks? ›

It will likely leave you feeling hungry, weak, and bored. You might even feel sick. And if you follow the Cabbage Soup Diet for more than a week, you could run short on key nutrients. Nor does the diet encourage the necessary lifestyle changes you need to make in order to be healthier and have lasting weight loss.

Does cabbage burn belly fat? ›

Does cabbage burn belly fat? Although cabbage is a nutritious low-calorie vegetable, many people associate it with weight loss because of the popular "cabbage soup diet". Some creative marketing has led people to believe that cabbage actually burns body fat. In fact, no food, including cabbage, burns body fat.

How to lose 10 pounds in a week? ›

To lose 10 pounds in one week, you'll need to burn between 3,500 and 5,000 calories more than you consume each day by restricting your diet to small portions of nutritious yet low-calorie foods, and significantly increasing your aerobic exercise with interval training, sports, and other vigorous activities.

Can you drink coffee on the cabbage soup diet? ›

What can you drink on the cabbage soup diet? Beverages allowed on the diet range from skim milk, water, cranberry juice, tea, and coffee.

How long does cabbage soup last in the fridge? ›

To store this soup, let it cool entirely before storing it in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days in the fridge. Alternatively, you can freeze it for up to 2 months.

Can you eat meat on a cabbage soup diet? ›

“You can eat 2 to 20 ounces (oz) of beef,” says Rothenberg. “Twenty oz of beef contains 160 g of protein, which is roughly 100 g more protein than most people need!” Day 7 In addition to the cabbage soup, you can have brown rice and unsweetened fruit juice.

Why am I not losing weight on cabbage soup diet? ›

The diet plan is extremely rigid. Most of the weight lost will likely be water weight. The diet is only meant for short-term weight loss. The diet does not yield long-term results and most dieters will gain the weight back as soon as they stop the diet.

Can you eat eggs on a cabbage soup diet? ›

They are high in calories and sugar, so they are not recommended on the cabbage soup diet. High-Fat Foods: Foods rich in saturated fats, such as fried foods, fatty cuts of meat, full-fat dairy products, vegetables like avocado, and high-fat sauces or dressings, should be avoided. It is also recommended to avoid eggs.

Can you drink water on the cabbage soup diet? ›

Throughout the diet, no tea, coffee, or any other beverages are allowed – only water and unsweetened fruit juice on fruit days. While the cabbage soup diet can help you shed weight quickly, most of what you do drop during the diet is water weight, not fat, and will return almost immediately when the week is up.

What happens if you eat cabbage every day? ›

Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant-based foods like cabbage decreases the risk of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and overall mortality. It can also help promote a healthy complexion, increased energy, and overall lower weight.

Does cabbage detox the body? ›

Cabbage does double detox duty. Its diuretic properties help rid your body of excess liquid, carrying toxins along with it. Like other cruciferous veggies, cabbage is also sulfur-rich, helping your liver break down toxins so they can be more easily expelled.

Can you cheat on cabbage soup diet? ›

The cabbage soup diet has low calories. Eat as much cabbage soup as you would like to keep your stamina up and drink plenty of water. If I start to feel sluggish, I cheat and have a baked sweet potato, a protein shake, or some juice.

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