Classic Cabbage Soup (Printable)

Warm cabbage soup with vegetables in savory tomato broth. Vegetarian, gluten-free, ready in 50 minutes.

# What You 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

# 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 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 - Discard the bay leaf. Adjust seasoning if needed.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour and tastes like it's been simmering all day.
  • This soup adapts to whatever's in your crisper drawer, making it perfect for those scattered shopping days.
  • You'll feel genuinely nourished without the heaviness that comes from cream or meat.
02 -
  • Don't rush the initial sauté of onion, carrot, and celery—this mirepoix foundation is what makes the broth taste complex instead of one-note.
  • The tomato paste needs that minute in the pot to cook out and sweeten; skipping this step leaves a tinny, raw tomato taste that lingers.
03 -
  • Chop your cabbage the night before—it won't discolor or wilt, and you'll thank yourself when you're in a rush the next morning.
  • If you're sensitive to smoked paprika's intensity, start with half a teaspoon and taste as you go; this little ingredient commands respect.
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