Comforting Light Cabbage Soup (Print Version)

Hearty vegetable-packed soup ready in under an hour. Light, nourishing, and perfect for meal prep.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 small green cabbage (about 1.5 lbs), cored and chopped
02 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
03 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
04 - 1 medium onion, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
08 - 1 small zucchini, diced (optional)

→ Broth & Seasonings

09 - 6 cups vegetable broth, low sodium preferred
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
15 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes, optional for heat
16 - Juice of 1/2 lemon, optional for brightness
17 - Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 5 minutes until slightly softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add bell pepper, zucchini if using, and chopped cabbage. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Pour in diced tomatoes and vegetable broth. Add thyme, oregano, black pepper, salt, and chili flakes if using.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes until all vegetables are tender.
06 - Adjust seasoning to taste. Stir in lemon juice if desired.
07 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It feels like a gentle reset for your body without sacrificing the deep savory flavors we crave.
  • The ingredients are so humble and cheap that you can feed a crowd for the price of a single coffee.
02 -
  • I once chopped the cabbage too large and ended up with a soup that was difficult to eat gracefully.
  • I discovered that adding the zucchini later in the process keeps it from turning into mush.
03 -
  • Let the soup sit for ten minutes before serving to allow the herbs to fully infuse the liquid.
  • Always use the freshest black pepper you can find because it adds a necessary bite to the finish.
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