Hearty and Healthy Cabbage Soup Recipe

Homemade Hearty Cabbage Soup Recipe: The Cozy Winter Comfort

Crafting a delightful cabbage soup brings warmth and comfort to chilly evenings.

Nutritious ingredients dance together in a single pot, creating magic for your taste buds.

Packed with vegetables and rich flavors, this recipe promises a satisfying meal that nourishes both body and soul.

Mediterranean culinary traditions inspire these robust soup techniques.

Crisp cabbage provides a wonderful foundation for a hearty dish that feels like a culinary hug.

Minimal preparation ensures you can whip up this delectable soup in under an hour.

Dive into this simple yet extraordinary recipe that will become your new cold-weather companion.

Cabbage Soup That’s Hearty, Healthy, and Budget-Friendly

  • Quick and Easy Prep: Whip up this delicious soup with minimal kitchen skills, perfect for beginners or busy home cooks looking for a simple meal solution.
  • Nutritional Powerhouse: Packed with protein from ground beef and loaded with vegetables, this soup delivers a balanced, wholesome meal that supports healthy eating goals.
  • Comfort Food Delight: Warm, satisfying, and filled with hearty ingredients that create a comforting dish perfect for chilly evenings or when you need a soul-warming meal.
  • Budget-Friendly Feast: Uses affordable ingredients like cabbage, ground beef, and basic pantry spices, making it an economical option for feeding a hungry family without breaking the bank.

Hearty Cabbage Soup Pantry Staples

Main Vegetables:
  • Cabbage: Hearty base for the soup.
  • Onions: Adds depth of flavor.
  • Celery: Provides extra crunch and freshness.
  • Stewed Tomatoes: Brings richness and tanginess.
Meat:
  • Ground Beef: Protein-packed main ingredient.
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Lipton Onion Soup Mix, Salt, Pepper: Creates a savory and robust taste profile.
Water:
  • Water: Essential liquid for cooking and simmering the soup.

Hearty and Healthy Cabbage Soup Recipe Guide

Step 1: Prep the Boiling Base

Fill a large saucepan with water and bring it to a rolling boil. This creates the foundation for your flavorful soup.

Step 2: Introduce Vegetable Companions

Add the following ingredients to the boiling water:
  • Chopped cabbage
  • Diced onions
  • Chopped celery
  • Stewed tomatoes

Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer gently for 20-25 minutes until the vegetables become tender and soft.

Step 3: Brown the Protein

Heat a skillet over medium flame and cook the ground beef. Break the meat into small, bite-sized crumbles as it cooks. Once the meat is fully cooked, drain away any excess fat to keep the soup light and healthy.

Step 4: Elevate the Flavor Profile

Stir in the Lipton Onion Soup Mix and your favorite spices directly into the simmering vegetable pot. This will create a rich and aromatic base for your soup.

Step 5: Marry the Ingredients

Combine the cooked ground beef with the vegetable mixture. Allow everything to simmer together for an additional 10-15 minutes. This helps the flavors blend and intensify.

Step 6: Final Taste and Serve

Give the soup a quick taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and savor your hearty creation.

Soup Tips for Healthy Cabbage Cooking

  • Boost Veggie Nutrition: Chop vegetables into uniform sizes for even cooking and maximum nutrient retention.
  • Control Meat Leanness: Select ground beef with lower fat percentage (90/10 or 93/7) to reduce overall soup calories and improve health profile.
  • Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast spices briefly in a dry skillet before adding to develop richer, more complex taste without extra calories.
  • Make It Vegetarian-Friendly: Replace ground beef with plant-based protein like lentils, black beans, or crumbled tofu for a meat-free version.
  • Reduce Sodium Smartly: Use low-sodium Lipton Onion Soup Mix and add fresh herbs like parsley or thyme to maintain robust flavor while cutting salt content.

Store Hearty Cabbage Soup for Another Day

  • Store leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain freshness.
  • Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
  • Transfer desired portion to microwave-safe dish. Cover loosely, heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each cycle until soup reaches 165°F internal temperature.
  • Pour soup into saucepan, add splash of water if needed to prevent sticking. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through completely and steaming.

Cabbage Soup Companion Picks

  • Pair with Bold Red Wine: A robust Cabernet Sauvignon complements the hearty beef and rich tomato base, cutting through the soup's earthy vegetable flavors with its full-bodied character.
  • Serve with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Thick, tangy slices provide the perfect vehicle for soaking up the savory broth, adding textural contrast and enhanced dining experience.
  • Match with Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Crumble aged cheddar on top to introduce a salty, creamy element that elevates the soup's rustic profile and adds depth to each spoonful.
  • Accompany with Crisp Green Salad: A light, refreshing side with vinaigrette dressing balances the soup's warmth, offering a fresh counterpoint to the hearty main dish.

Cabbage Soup Healthy Mixes

  • Vegetarian Delight: Replace ground beef with plant-based protein like crumbled tofu, tempeh, or textured vegetable protein for a meat-free version.
  • Low-Carb Option: Swap stewed tomatoes with diced fresh tomatoes and reduce overall vegetable quantity to minimize carbohydrate content.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free onion soup mix or create a homemade seasoning blend with dried onion flakes, salt, and herbs to maintain flavor profile while avoiding gluten.
  • Keto-Friendly Variation: Eliminate stewed tomatoes, increase fatty meats like ground sausage or bacon, and add heavy cream for higher fat content and lower carbohydrate intake.

FAQs

  • Is this cabbage soup good for weight loss?

Yes, this soup is low in calories and high in fiber, making it an excellent choice for those looking to manage their weight while enjoying a nutritious meal.

  • Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply omit the ground beef and replace it with plant-based protein like beans or tofu to maintain the soup’s heartiness.

  • How nutritious is this cabbage soup?

This soup is packed with nutrients from vegetables like cabbage, onions, and celery, providing vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support overall health and immune function.

  • What kind of spices work best in this recipe?

Herbs like thyme, basil, or parsley, and spices such as black pepper, garlic powder, or paprika can enhance the soup’s flavor profile and add depth to the dish.

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Hearty and Healthy Cabbage Soup Recipe

Hearty and Healthy Cabbage Soup Recipe


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4.7 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Cozy Polish cabbage soup warms hungry souls with its rich, comforting blend of tender vegetables and savory broth. Home cooks savor this classic dish that brings European culinary traditions right to your kitchen table.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Vegetables:

  • 1 large cabbage, roughly chopped
  • 2 small onions, diced
  • 1 large celery stalk, finely chopped

Protein:

  • 12 pounds (5.4 kilograms) ground beef

Flavor Enhancers and Liquids:

  • 2 cans stewed tomatoes
  • 1 pouch Lipton Onion Soup Mix (any flavor)
  • Water (enough to fill pot halfway)
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Black pepper (to taste)
  • Garlic powder (to taste)
  • Paprika (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Heat water in a large saucepan until it reaches a rolling boil, creating the foundation for a nutritious soup.
  2. Gently cascade chopped cabbage, onions, celery, and stewed tomatoes into the bubbling liquid, reducing temperature to a gentle simmer.
  3. Allow vegetables to soften and release their flavors, transforming the broth into a rich, aromatic base over 20-25 minutes.
  4. Simultaneously, prepare ground beef in a separate skillet, breaking it into delicate crumbles and cooking thoroughly until no pink remains.
  5. Carefully drain excess fat from the meat to ensure a leaner, healthier soup composition.
  6. Infuse the vegetable broth with Lipton Onion Soup Mix and selected herbs and spices, stirring to distribute flavors evenly.
  7. Incorporate the perfectly cooked ground beef into the simmering vegetable mixture, allowing ingredients to harmonize and develop a deep, complex taste.
  8. Let the soup continue to simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes, enabling the flavors to meld and intensify.
  9. Perform a final seasoning evaluation, adjusting salt, pepper, or herbs to achieve the ideal flavor profile.
  10. Ladle the steaming, nutrient-packed soup into bowls and serve immediately for maximum enjoyment and warmth.

Notes

  • Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version that maintains the soup’s hearty texture and protein content.
  • Reduce sodium by using low-sodium Lipton Onion Soup Mix and selecting salt-free spices to create a heart-healthy alternative.
  • Enhance nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like carrots or bell peppers, boosting fiber and vitamin content without compromising the soup’s rich flavor profile.
  • Freeze individual portions in airtight containers for quick, convenient meals during busy weeks, ensuring the soup stays fresh and delicious for up to three months.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg
Marcus Hale

Marcus Hale

Founder & Recipe Storyteller

Expertise

  • Demystifying knife work, sauce emulsification, and pastry basics.
  • Curating seasonal guides that adapt global recipes to local, in-season produce.
  • Crafting blog posts, videos, and social media tips.

Education

Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute

  • Program: Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on global cuisine training emphasizes sustainable cooking and recipe development under accredited chefs.

Marcus grew up surrounded by maple trees, farm stands, and the smell of Sunday stew simmering on the stove. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from the HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he knew he didn’t want to work in fancy kitchens, he wanted to cook for real people.

At Whip Up Cook Up, Marcus is the guy turning memories into meals. His recipes are fast, full of flavor, and built for home cooks who want big taste without the drama.

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