Easy and flavorful, Best Cabbage Soup will leave you feeling full for hours. This satisfying recipe is low in calories, rich in plant-based protein, and ready in just 30 minutes. Vegan and gluten-free.
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This cabbage soup is loaded with nutrients to keep you healthy throughout the fall and winter. Plus, it's packed with umami flavors and tastes amazing. I guarantee, you'll keep going back for more. You won't believe you are eating cabbage!
This was inspired by my protein-rich White Bean Soup with Quinoa on this site, as well as this pantry-friendly Curried Butternut Squash Red Lentil Soup.
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👩🏼🌾 Ingredients
- 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
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.
Step 2. Add the tomato paste and cook for another minute, stirring constantly. Mix in the vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, and red lentils.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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Best Cabbage Soup
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
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ 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
- ½ lemon zest and juice plus more as needed
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ⅓ cup chopped parsley for garnish
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Instructions
- Make the mirepoix: 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.
- Cook aromatics: Add the garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, and cayenne. Cook for 1 minute more.
- Add liquid and lentils: Add the tomato paste and cook for another minute, stirring constantly. Mix in the vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, and red lentils.
- Add cabbage: Mix in the cabbage in batches, pressing each batch down to submerge it in the liquid.
- Simmer: Bring to a boil before reducing the heat. Simmer covered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Season and garnish: Add the lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with parsley for serving.
Notes
- 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.
Nutrition
This information is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate. Nutritional values may vary depending on factors such as product types and brands used.
Shelley Hay says
Currently my dietary restrictions include all nightshades. what can I substitute for the tomato paste and canned tomatoes ....... suggestions ??
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
I have a nightshade-free tomato paste coming soon! For now, add some mellow miso dissolved in water for umami!
Siobhan says
I loved this recipe!!!! I added kale with the cabbage, I had some for another recipe but decided to go meatless with this soup. I added paprika, cumin , garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper to taste. I don't like celery so I added 2 ears of corn fresh of corn . I added 2 more cups of chicken broth. So so so good.
Thank you this will be on repeat. Siobhan
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
I bet this is delicious with corn! So glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.
Sylvia says
Yum on the soup! Thank you so very much. Makes lots. Perfect!
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.
Jennifer says
Omg I just made this and it was so delicious!! I can’t believe how such simple ingredients created such an amazing soup. The lentils really made it seem meaty. Thanks for the great recipe!
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I love adding lentils for protein! Have a great week.
Julia says
This has become one of my go to soups and my 13 y/o daughter says it’s her favorite. It is so easy, delicious and healthy. You get so many good things in one bowl!
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
I'm so happy to read this! Thank you.
Martinez Dale says
Great recipe! Delicious. Are the nutrition facts for 1 serving or for the entire 4 serving recipe? Divide nutrition numbers by 4 for one serving?? Thanks…
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Hi. The facts are for one serving but this is a large serving-a meal.
A. says
Hi from Russia! Thank you very much fir your work! I've followed the recipe and have got delicious soup! I can't stand celery, but gave it a chance and it worked just fine! Thank you very much! It's great that there are such people in the world
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Nice to meet you! Thank you for being here and leaving a lovely comment!
B says
This reminds me of A "Sweet and Sour Cabbage Soup" my Mother used to make for me when I was a child. A favorite..hers was more sweet as name implied.
I followed the 2- 36 ounce broth recommendation in note section, decreased red lentils by 1/4 cup to have more "soup" vs stew, added 1 TBSP malt barley syrup (as I had it) and ENJOYED!!!
Lovely filling, healthy soup. Adding red lentils to up the protein is brilliant!
Thank You! The recipe is a keeper!
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Malt barley sounds great in this! Thank you for sharing.
Alison M says
This was a surprisingly hearty, easy, and tasty soup. I made it pretty close to as written, but didn't stress at all over measuring. Had less than a half cabbage, had more carrots, plenty extra parsley, just regular (not fire-roasted) tomatoes, and added several good shakes of crushed red pepper. The extra spice made it feel super warming. It all came together soooo quickly, and it made enough for several meals. Wonderful recipe!!
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I'm so glad it has been on repeat!
Echo says
What is considered one serving size?
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
One-fourth of the quantity.
Jenny says
This is a firm favourite in our house. I add 2tbsp of apple cider vinegar, 2 large spoons of nutritional yeast, and a tin of cannellini beans. It keeps well, reheats perfectly and leaves you full for ages. Absolutely love it.
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Love your additions. Thanks for sharing. So glad you are enjoying it.
Holly says
This is one of the best soups I’ve ever made. I’ve made it three times in like 2.5 weeks. I do cut back some on the lentils though so the soup stays a little soupier.
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Awww I'm so glad you like it! Thank you.
Hannah Allyson says
Delicious! My husband and I are home sick, so I made it today. We both had seconds. I had a pretty big cabbage so did 7 c broth and used 3 T organic catsup for tomato paste. Plus I added a couple T of apple cider vinegar for tang like the Russian cabbage soups. The lentils had such a great meaty flavor. It was 10/10. Thank you!
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Thank you! Hope this helped with the homesickness! Love your additions.
Cindy says
We had this for dinner tonight. It was a big hit. Thank you.
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
I'm so glad it was a hit! Thank you.
Esther says
OMG!!! I Love this soup, so filled with flavors that mesh perfectly, and I did not change a thing!! Absolutely Delicious!! Thank you so much for sharing your recipe, it's going to be in my regular rotation
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Thank you so much! I'm sooo glad it was a hit! Appreciate you leaving a comment.
Anna says
Love this soup. i mixed a part of it to make it a bit creamy.
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
So glad you enjoyed it. Thank you!
Christina says
Fantastically delicious, nourishing and comforting soup. It’s very easy to make. I followed the recipe as written and it’s perfect. This is another keeper. Thank you, Nisha!
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
I'm so glad it was a hit. Thank you for leaving a comment. Have a great week.
Marissa Wilson says
My family and I loved this soup! My 5 year old and 2 year old were requesting it again the next day! I left out the lemon and parsley but otherwise stayed close to the recipe. I made this last week and I’m planning to make it again this week. So delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
So happy to hear that your kids love it too! Thanks for letting me know.
Leah says
Loved this! Topped it with cashew sour cream 👌
Thank you!!
Nisha Melvani says
Perfect topping. So glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.
Ann Hemmings says
Loved this wholesome cabbage soup - only problem I had was that I didn’t have a big enough saucepan to cook it in- had to divide it between two saucepans - problem solved!
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
So glad you enjoyed it. Yes, a big saucepan is helpful for cabbage! Starts big before wilting.
Lindsay says
This recipe is fantastic! I didn’t have the fire-roasted diced tomatoes, so I just used a can of regular diced tomatoes. The lemon zest and lemon juice at the end really bring everything together. Thank you for such a tasty and easy dish!
Nisha Melvani says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Yes! The lemon is essential!
Neena Chandiramani says
I just love cabbage - so quick and easy!
Nisha Melvani says
Yes! And so nutritious!