Hearty Homemade Cabbage Soup

This hearty cabbage soup recipe is packed with fresh vegetables, bone broth, and herbs for a healthy, comforting, and budget-friendly meal. Perfect for a light dinner or make-ahead meal prep.

There’s something truly comforting about a big bowl of cabbage soup. It’s warm, cozy, and packed with nourishing vegetables and herbs. This recipe is not only healthy but also full of flavor thanks to aromatic spices, fresh herbs, and a rich bone broth base.

Whether you’re looking for a light meal, a hearty side dish, or a healthy reset, this cabbage soup recipe will quickly become one of your favorites. It’s affordable, easy to prepare, and makes a large batch that’s perfect for meal prep.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Nutritious & Filling: Loaded with vegetables, herbs, and bone broth.

• Budget-Friendly: Simple ingredients that stretch a long way.

• Comforting & Cozy: Perfect for chilly days or when you need a wholesome pick-me-up.

• One-Pot Simplicity: Everything comes together in one large pot.

• Customizable: Add more spices, protein, or grains to make it your own.

Ingredient Breakdown

Here’s what makes this soup so flavorful and healthy:

1. Cabbage (1 head)

The star of the dish. Cabbage becomes tender as it cooks and adds a subtle sweetness that balances the spices. It’s rich in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants.

2. Carrots (2–3, diced)

Carrots bring natural sweetness and color to the broth while adding beta-carotene and vitamin A.

3. Celery (2–3 sticks, diced)

Celery adds earthy depth and texture. It’s also packed with antioxidants and supports hydration.

4. Onion (½, diced)

A flavor base essential to any good soup. Onions caramelize slightly while cooking, giving the broth richness.

5. Garlic (2–3 cloves, minced)

Garlic adds warmth and depth. It also provides immune-boosting benefits, making this soup especially comforting during cold and flu season.

6. Onion Powder (1 tbsp) & Garlic Powder (2 tbsp)

These enhance and deepen the flavor, complementing the fresh onion and garlic without overpowering them.

7. Black Pepper (1 tbsp)

Adds a mild heat and balances the sweetness of vegetables.

8. Paprika (1 tbsp)

Smoky, sweet paprika adds warmth and color to the broth.

9. Salt (to taste, optional)

Salt elevates flavors, though bone broth often provides enough seasoning on its own.

10. Cayenne Pepper (optional)

For a spicy kick that makes the soup even more warming and bold.

11. Red Bell Pepper (1, diced)

Bell pepper adds sweetness, crunch, and a boost of vitamin C.

12. Canned Diced Tomatoes (1 can)

Tomatoes add acidity, depth, and richness to the broth while also providing lycopene, a powerful antioxidant.

13. Bone Broth (1 container)

Rich in protein and minerals, bone broth creates a hearty, flavorful base that enhances the soup’s nutrition.

14. Water (1 cup, optional)

Adds volume if you like your soup extra brothy.

15. Fresh Parsley (½ cup, chopped)

Herbaceous and bright, parsley adds freshness and balances the richness of the broth.

16. Fresh Basil (¼ cup, chopped)

Sweet basil enhances the Italian-inspired flavors of the soup and adds a fragrant finish.

Recipe Card

Cabbage Soup Recipe
Servings: 6–8 | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 head cabbage, chopped

• 2–3 carrots, diced

• 2–3 celery sticks, diced

• ½ onion, diced

• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp onion powder

• 2 tbsp garlic powder

• 1 tbsp black pepper

• 1 tbsp paprika

• Salt, to taste (optional)

• Cayenne pepper, optional, for heat

• 1 red bell pepper, diced

• 1 can diced tomatoes

• 1 container bone broth (approx. 4 cups)

• 1 cup water, optional for extra broth

• ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped

• ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped

Instructions:

1. Heat 1–2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

2. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until softened (about 5 minutes).

3. Stir in garlic, onion powder, and garlic powder. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

4. Add diced bell pepper and canned tomatoes. Stir well.

5. Season with paprika, black pepper, cayenne (if using), and salt to taste.

6. Pour in bone broth and water. Add chopped cabbage. Stir to combine.

7. Cover and cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

8. Add parsley and basil. Cook for an additional 10 minutes.

9. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot.

Tips for Success

• Chop Vegetables Evenly: Ensures they cook at the same rate.

• Don’t Overcook Cabbage: Simmer until tender but not mushy.

• Use Fresh Herbs Last: Adding parsley and basil at the end keeps them bright and flavorful.

• Make it Ahead: This soup tastes even better the next day as flavors develop.

• Add Protein: Boost with shredded chicken, sausage, or beans for a heartier meal.

• Thicker Soup: Reduce liquid slightly for a more stew-like texture.

Variations

• Spicy Cabbage Soup: Increase cayenne or add red chili flakes.

• Cabbage Detox Soup: Skip bone broth and use vegetable broth for a lighter vegan-friendly version.

• Italian Style: Add cannellini beans and Parmesan rind while simmering.

• Hearty Grain Version: Stir in cooked rice, quinoa, or barley.

• Smoky Twist: Add a dash of smoked paprika for deeper flavor.

Nutritional Benefits

This soup isn’t just delicious—it’s nutrient-dense:

• Cabbage: High in fiber, vitamin K, and vitamin C.

• Carrots & Bell Peppers: Rich in beta-carotene and antioxidants.

• Bone Broth: Provides protein and collagen.

• Herbs: Parsley and basil add antioxidants and freshness.

Low in calories but high in nutrition, this soup is an excellent option for healthy eating without sacrificing comfort.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with crusty bread or focaccia for dipping.

• Pair with a green side salad for a light dinner.

• Add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or a dollop of sour cream for extra richness.

• Freeze leftovers in individual portions for easy weeknight meals.

Why You’ll Enjoy This Dish

This cabbage soup is everything you want in a homemade dish: nourishing, affordable, and deeply satisfying. It brings together simple vegetables, spices, and herbs in a way that feels both wholesome and indulgent. The broth is hearty and rich, the cabbage tender, and the herbs brighten everything up.

It’s a dish that can be enjoyed as a weeknight dinner, a cozy lunch, or a reset meal when you’re craving something fresh and healthy.

Yield: 6-8

Author: CookSnapBake.com

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Hearty Homemade Cabbage Soup

This hearty cabbage soup recipe is packed with fresh vegetables, bone broth, and herbs for a healthy, comforting, and budget-friendly meal. Perfect for a light dinner or make-ahead meal prep.

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 35 MinTotal time: 50 Min

Ingredients

• 1 head cabbage, chopped
• 2–3 carrots, diced
• 2–3 celery sticks, diced
• ½ onion, diced
• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 2 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp paprika
• Salt, to taste (optional)
• Cayenne pepper, optional, for heat
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 container bone broth (approx. 4 cups)
• 1 cup water, optional for extra broth
• ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped

Instructions

1. Heat 1–2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until softened (about 5 minutes).
3. Stir in garlic, onion powder, and garlic powder. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add diced bell pepper and canned tomatoes. Stir well.
5. Season with paprika, black pepper, cayenne (if using), and salt to taste.
6. Pour in bone broth and water. Add chopped cabbage. Stir to combine.
7. Cover and cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. Add parsley and basil. Cook for an additional 10 minutes.
9. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot.

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🥣✨ Ready to try this hearty and healthy classic? Make this Cabbage Soup recipe tonight and bring warmth and comfort to your table. Don’t forget to share your version—tag me so I can see your cozy bowls of soup!