Best Cabbage Soup

Name: Best Cabbage Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 medium yellow onion (small dice); 3 medium carrots (small dice); 3 ribs celery (small dice); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1 teaspoon oregano; 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; Pinch of cayenne ((optional)); 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 6 cups vegetable broth ((preferably low sodium)); 1 (14-ounce) can diced fire roasted tomatoes (or regular diced tomatoes); 1 cup dried red lentils (rinsed); 1 small green cabbage (shredded); 1/2 lemon zest and juice (plus more as needed); Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste); 1/3 cup chopped parsley (for garnish)

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

Shredded green cabbage, chopped onion, vegetable broth, chopped carrots, celery, and parley, diced fire roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, red lentils, lemon juice and zest, head of garlic, and spices in a bowl.

Ingredients for making Best Cabbage Soup.

Green cabbage is packed with fiber so it leaves you feeling full for hours. It's also rich in vitamins C and K, as well as phytonutrients, which are believed to slow the aging process and reduce the risk of certain diseases. Eating more cabbage is an easy and budget-friendly way to get a healthy dose of nutrients.
Fire roasted tomatoes are a more flavorful option than regular canned diced tomatoes. The tomatoes are charred over a flame before they are diced and canned. Often, you can actually see the blackened flecks on the tomatoes.
Red lentils cook quickly and are light in texture. One cup adds 18 grams protein to this cabbage soup recipe.

See recipe card for quantities.

🍅 Substitutions

Cabbage - use green or white cabbage for this soup

Fire roasted tomatoes - use regular canned diced tomatoes instead as needed

Red lentils - Substitute with green or brown lentils as desired, but you will need to increase the cooking time and add more vegetable broth. Or you can omit the lentils entirely and use less broth.

For more quick and easy soup recipes, visit my Vegan Soups & Stews page on this site. See this Creamy Chickpea Soup recipe that cooks in just 20 minutes, or my protein-rich comforting Pasta Fazool (Pasta e Fagioli).

📖 Instructions

Chopped carrot, onion, and celery cooking in a white saucepan.

Step 1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook the onion, carrots, and celery for about 5 minutes, or until just tender. Add the garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, and cayenne. Cook for 1 minute more.

Broth, red lentils, diced tomatoes, celery, carrot, and spices in a white saucepan.

Step 2. Add the tomato paste and cook for another minute, stirring constantly. Mix in the vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, and red lentils.

Chopped cabbage cooking in a tomato broth in a white saucepan.

Step 3. Add the cabbage in batches, pressing each batch down to submerge it in the liquid. Bring to a boil before reducing the heat. Simmer covered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Green cabbage and tomato soup with red lentils, chopped parsley, chopped carrots and black pepper in a white bowl and a in saucepan with a ladle.

Step 4. Add lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with parsley for serving.

💡 Expert Tips

The shredded cabbage seems like a lot initially, but it shrinks significantly upon cooking. Add it in batches and allow each batch to wilt slightly before adding the next one. Use a large saucepan so the ingredients fit comfortably.

Add vegetable broth as needed throughout the cooking process. You will need a maximum of two (32-ounce) cartons. Use low sodium broth for a healthier cabbage soup.

Storage: Refrigerate leftover Best Cabbage Soup in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Or freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to three months.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

What is the cabbage soup diet?

The Cabbage Soup Diet is a one-week weight loss diet that promises to help you lose up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg). It is often used to jump-start a long-term diet plan. It was one of the original "soup diets" that became popular in the 1980s.

Does eating the Cabbage Soup Diet help you lose weight?

The cabbage soup diet promises quick weight loss, but it is not a sustainable option. Any weight lost is likely to be gained back. Plus, cutting food groups can lead to severe nutrient imbalances.

What can I use instead of the diced tomatoes and tomato paste if I am allergic?

Use one half cup chopped jarred roasted red peppers instead. Dice and add them to the soup instead of the tomato paste. Use extra vegetable broth in place of the canned diced tomatoes.

📖 Recipe