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

How much weight can you lose on the 7 day 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.

Does the cabbage soup diet really work? ›

Like many other fad diets, the cabbage soup diet is not a realistic long-term weight loss plan. Eating so few calories will likely not provide enough nutrition for the body to function properly, which may lead to loss of muscle mass, reduced cognitive function, and feelings of illness or exhaustion.

What is the day 1 cabbage soup diet? ›

What foods are allowed on the cabbage soup diet?
  1. Day 1: cabbage soup and raw fruit, but no bananas.
  2. Day 2: cabbage soup and leafy green vegetables, raw or cooked, but no potatoes.
  3. Day 3: cabbage soup and as many fruits and vegetables as you can eat, but no potatoes or bananas.
Nov 23, 2023

Can you drink coffee on the cabbage soup diet? ›

OTHER CABBAGE SOUP DIET NOTES:

DRINKS: Stick with water, unsweet tea, black coffee, unsweetened juices, cranberry juice, or skim milk. Black coffee is permitted, but you may find that you no longer need the caffeine after the third day.

How much weight can you lose with cabbage soup? ›

On the cabbage soup diet, most people lose between 5-10 pounds. For me, it's usually in the 7-10 pound range.

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.

What is the Dolly Parton diet? ›

The diet that Dolly Parton reportedly followed during her bingeing and dieting cycles is known as the Cabbage Soup Diet. It is a short-term weight loss plan that involves consuming a low-calorie cabbage soup along with a specific set of allowed food items for a duration of seven days.

Is it possible to lose 10 pounds in 3 days? ›

You will likely lose weight on any diet if you eat less than 910 calories a day. But losing 10 pounds in 3 days is both unlikely and unhealthy. To lose just 1 pound of body fat, you need to reduce your daily calories by about 500 a day for a whole week. That's giving up 3,500 calories over the course of 7 days.

What are the disadvantages of the cabbage soup diet? ›

Cons of the Cabbage Soup Diet

This diet is very low in calories, and following it can make people feel less energized because of this. It also does not provide enough healthy fats, an important part of a healthy and balanced diet.

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 many times a day do you eat cabbage soup? ›

Just like the name says, the bulk of this diet is fat-free cabbage soup, eaten two to three times a day with other allowed foods assigned each day. Here's what you can add: Day 1: Fruit, except bananas. Day 2: Vegetables like leafy greens (not starchy), but no fruit.

Can I have eggs on 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 eat popcorn on the cabbage soup diet? ›

popcorn is just corn that is popped. conclusion: popcorn is part of the cabbage soup diet.

Can you drink diet co*ke on cabbage soup diet? ›

No bread, alcohol, or carbonated beverages, including diet sodas.

How many pounds can you lose in a week eating cabbage soup? ›

Fans claim you can drop 10 pounds or more in a week. Some people use it to kick-start their weight loss plan, or to trim a few pounds for a special event. But before you stock up on cabbage, know that this crash diet won't help you in the long run, and it doesn't give your body the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

Is it possible to lose 20 lbs in a month? ›

While you can lose 20 pounds (lbs) in a month, this is neither safe nor sustainable. Losing weight more steadily with the right diet and exercise can help you stay healthy and maintain your weight loss. Losing weight can be challenging regardless of whether you're looking to lose 5 lbs or 20.

How much weight can you lose in a week maximum? ›

A weekly loss in excess of 1kg (2lb) for a sustained period, is considered by most experts to be too much. However, you should bear in mind that during the initial weeks of any diet you're likely to appear to lose more weight – this will actually be body fluids.

How much weight can I lose if I eat soup for a week? ›

Broth-based soup diets generally last for 7 days. However, some can last as long as 10–14 days. Over that time, proponents of a broth-based diet claim you can lose up to 10 or even 20 pounds (4.5 to 9 kg). On a broth-based soup diet, cream-based soups are restricted, as they're higher in calories and fat.

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