Ingredients
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 large Yellow Onion, chopped
4 cloves Garlic, minced
1 medium head Green Cabbage (about 2 lbs), cored and chopped
2 medium Carrots, peeled and diced
2 Celery Stalks, diced
2 (28 ounce) cans Diced Tomatoes, undrained
6 cups Vegetable Broth (or chicken broth for non-vegetarian)
2 cups Water (or more broth)
2 Bay Leaves
1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
1 teaspoon Dried Basil
1 teaspoon Salt (or to taste)
½ teaspoon Black Pepper (or to taste)
¼ cup Fresh Parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Red Pepper Flakes (Optional, for a kick)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Veggies: First, chop your onion, mince your garlic, dice your carrots and celery, and core and chop your cabbage. Having everything ready makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable
- Sauté the Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften and the onion becomes translucent. This step builds the flavor base for your savory cabbage tomato soup
- Add Garlic and Cabbage: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Next, add the chopped cabbage to the pot. It will look like a lot, but it cooks down significantly. Stir well to combine all the vegetables
- Introduce Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the two cans of diced tomatoes (undrained), vegetable broth, and water. Add the bay leaves, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. If you like a little heat, now is the time to add the red pepper flakes
- Bring to a Simmer: Give everything a good stir. Bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat
- Simmer and Cook: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the home-cooked cabbage tomato soup simmer for 25-30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the cabbage to become tender. You want the cabbage to be soft but not mushy
- Adjust Seasoning: Remove the bay leaves. Taste the soup and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Sometimes a little extra seasoning really makes the flavors pop in your flavorful cabbage tomato soup
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the hot nutritious cabbage tomato soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy your delicious creation!
Notes
Building a strong flavor base is key; don't rush the initial sauté of onion, carrots, and celery. Use a good quality, low-sodium broth for the best results.
Simmer for 25-30 minutes, ensuring the cabbage is tender but still has a slight bite. Flavors deepen beautifully with a longer simmer, even up to an hour if time permits.
This soup is incredibly versatile. Feel free to customize with different cabbage types, other vegetables like zucchini or spinach, or added proteins like beans or cooked chicken. Adjust seasoning gradually, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a dash of apple cider vinegar at the end can brighten all the flavors.
Cabbage tomato soup makes excellent leftovers, storing for 4-5 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months frozen. It often tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep. Serve with crusty bread, grilled cheese, or a side salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian, Vegan, Healthy
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg