Classic Cabbage Soup (Printable)

Tender cabbage and vegetables in savory tomato broth—perfect for chilly days or a light, nutritious meal.

# 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
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# Directions:

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 to develop depth of flavor.
05 - Add diced tomatoes with juice, vegetable broth, thyme, bay leaf, smoked paprika, 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 until the cabbage and vegetables are 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 Tips:

01 -
  • It turns inexpensive pantry staples into a bowl that feels like a warm hug on a cold day.
  • The leftovers taste even better the next day when all the flavors have had time to deepen and mingle.
02 -
  • Don't rush the initial sauté of the onion, carrot, and celery because that's where the flavor foundation is built.
  • If your cabbage tastes too sharp or sulfurous, a pinch of sugar stirred in at the end can mellow it out beautifully.
03 -
  • Use a sharp knife to chop the cabbage into even pieces so everything cooks at the same rate and you don't end up with mushy bits and crunchy bits.
  • If you can find fire roasted diced tomatoes, swap them in for a subtle smoky sweetness that elevates the whole pot.
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