Healing Cabbage Soup Recipe
There’s something deeply comforting about a bowl of Healing Cabbage Soup: a recipe brimming with garden-fresh flavor, vibrant color, and wholesome nutrition. Whether you need a cozy meal on a chilly day or you’re just craving something that feels as restorative as it tastes, this soup checks all the boxes. It’s loaded with chopped cabbage, a rainbow of vegetables, and a savory, herby broth that tastes like pure comfort. Even better? It’s naturally vegan, gluten-free, and has become a beloved staple in my kitchen for both busy weeknights and gentle resets. Once you try Healing Cabbage Soup, you may find yourself coming back for “just one more bowl” again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Healing Cabbage Soup is in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays an essential role, layering fresh flavors, subtle textures, and beautiful colors into every spoonful. Here’s exactly what you’ll need and why each piece matters:
- Olive oil: A touch of olive oil adds silkiness and richness as the flavor base for sautéed veggies.
- Onion: Chopped onion introduces a mellow sweetness that intensifies as it cooks down.
- Garlic: A must for depth, garlic infuses the soup with aromatic warmth.
- Green cabbage: The star ingredient, cabbage softens beautifully and brings a subtle earthy note.
- Carrots: Sliced carrots lend gentle sweetness, vibrant color, and a pleasant bite.
- Celery: Essential for classic soup flavor and a bit of crunch in every spoonful.
- Zucchini: Mild and tender, zucchini rounds out the veggie medley perfectly without overpowering.
- Canned diced tomatoes with juice: These brighten the broth and give the soup a gentle tang.
- Low-sodium vegetable broth: Forms the backbone of the soup’s savory, comforting base.
- Dried thyme: A pinch of thyme adds earthy, woodsy notes that blend seamlessly with the vegetables.
- Dried basil: Basil offers a subtle, herbal sweetness and amplifies the soup’s freshness.
- Ground black pepper: Just enough to give a hint of gentle heat in the background.
- Salt: Season to taste and let every ingredient shine through.
- Lemon juice: A bright squeeze at the end lifts and enlivens all the flavors.
- Fresh parsley: Chopped parsley delivers a burst of color and fresh, herbal finish.
How to Make Healing Cabbage Soup
Step 1: Sauté Aromatics
Start by heating your olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once it shimmers, add in the onions and garlic. Give them a good stir and let them cook for about 3 to 4 minutes, just until they’re soft and start to smell fragrant. This is the moment when your kitchen begins to smell absolutely incredible!
Step 2: Add and Soften the Vegetables
Now, add the chopped cabbage, carrots, celery, and zucchini straight into the pot. It’ll look like a mountain at first, but don’t worry, it cooks down. Stir everything together and let the veggies sauté for another 5 minutes. This little extra step helps release their flavors and gives a head start on tenderness.
Step 3: Build the Broth
Pour in the entire can of diced tomatoes (juice and all) and the six cups of low-sodium vegetable broth. Sprinkle in your thyme, basil, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Stir everything to combine. At this stage, you’ll notice the soup looking hearty and smelling wonderful.
Step 4: Simmer until Tender
Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then turn the heat down to let it simmer uncovered. Give yourself a little kitchen break for 25 to 30 minutes, and let those vegetables turn soft, their flavors melding beautifully into the broth. Check the cabbage and carrots—they should be fork-tender when the soup’s done.
Step 5: Finish with Brightness
Just as you’re ready to serve, squeeze in the juice of half a lemon and stir in the chopped fresh parsley. This finishing touch brightens up the whole pot and gives the Healing Cabbage Soup a fresh, lively kick.
How to Serve Healing Cabbage Soup
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley, a wedge of lemon on the side, or even a dusting of cracked black pepper makes every bowl of Healing Cabbage Soup look as inviting as it tastes. If you’re feeling a little fancy, a spoonful of vegan pesto or a swirl of olive oil on top can take things to the next level.
Side Dishes
This soup shines all on its own, but it’s also fantastic with a slice of toasted rustic bread (perfect for dipping!), a scoop of brown rice, or a light green salad on the side. I love serving it next to a simple avocado toast for lunch, or with wholesome crackers for an easy, nourishing dinner.
Creative Ways to Present
Try ladling the Healing Cabbage Soup into mugs for a cozy, informal starter at gatherings, or serve it with colorful microgreens for a “restaurant-style” touch. For meal prep or office lunches, portion it into mason jars—you’ll have an eye-catching, satisfying meal ready to go!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Healing Cabbage Soup is just as good (if not better!) the next day. Simply let the soup cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. Store in the fridge for up to four days—the flavors only get deeper and richer over time.
Freezing
If you want to stock your freezer with hearty, homemade soup for busy days, this is a great choice. Once cooled, ladle the soup into freezer-safe containers or resealable bags, leaving a little space for expansion. The soup will keep well for up to two months and reheats beautifully.
Reheating
To reheat refrigerated or thawed Healing Cabbage Soup, gently warm it over medium heat on the stovetop until hot. If you’re in a hurry, microwave individual portions in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring halfway through. Taste and adjust lemon or parsley if you like it extra fresh.
FAQs
Can I add other vegetables to the soup?
Absolutely! Healing Cabbage Soup is the perfect canvas for everything from leafy greens like spinach or kale to sweeter touches like bell peppers or even green beans. Use what you have in the fridge to make it your own.
How can I increase the protein content?
You can boost the protein by stirring in cooked lentils, chickpeas, or beans for a hearty, vegan twist. For those who aren’t vegan, adding shredded rotisserie chicken or turkey would work wonders too.
Is this soup good for meal prep?
Yes, it’s a meal prep superstar! Healing Cabbage Soup stores well in the fridge and even freezes like a dream, so you can always have a wholesome lunch or dinner ready to go throughout the week.
What’s the best way to make Healing Cabbage Soup taste even richer?
For a deeper savory flavor, sauté your onions and garlic a little longer until golden, and consider adding a spoonful of tomato paste or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast. And don’t be shy with the fresh herbs at the end!
Does this soup work for special diets?
Definitely. Healing Cabbage Soup is naturally vegan, gluten-free, and remarkably low in calories. It’s a kind choice for those watching carbs or sodium, and you can control the seasonings to fit your needs.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving warmth, comfort, and goodness all in one pot, Healing Cabbage Soup delivers every time. Give it a try soon—I have a feeling it’ll earn a permanent spot in your recipe rotation!
Print
Healing Cabbage Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan, Gluten-Free
Description
A comforting Healing Cabbage Soup recipe that is both nutritious and delicious. Packed with vegetables and flavorful herbs, this vegan and gluten-free soup is perfect for a light and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Vegetable Base:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups green cabbage, chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 zucchini, chopped
Soup Seasoning:
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
- 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot, sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in cabbage, carrots, celery, and zucchini; cook for 5 minutes.
- Simmer Soup: Add tomatoes, broth, thyme, basil, pepper, and salt. Simmer for 25–30 minutes.
- Finish: Stir in lemon juice and parsley before serving.
Notes
- This soup can be customized with your favorite vegetables like spinach or bell peppers.
- For added protein, include lentils or chicken.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
