Classic Cabbage Soup (Printer-Friendly)

Tender cabbage and vegetables in savory tomato broth. Comforting, light, and nutritious for any day.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium head green cabbage, cored and chopped (about 6 cups)
02 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
03 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Tomato Base

06 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
07 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste

→ Broth & Seasoning

08 - 6 cups vegetable broth
09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1 bay leaf
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, optional
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional

# How to Cook:

01 - Heat a large soup pot over medium heat. Add a splash of oil, then sauté the onion, carrot, and celery for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the chopped cabbage. Stir well and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until it begins to wilt.
04 - Mix in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
05 - Add diced tomatoes with juice, vegetable broth, thyme, bay leaf, smoked paprika if using, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
06 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cabbage and vegetables are tender.
07 - Discard the bay leaf. Adjust seasoning if needed.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It feels like a hug in a bowl without any fuss or fancy ingredients you dont already have.
  • You can walk away and let it simmer while you do other things, no babysitting required.
  • Its one of those rare soups that tastes even better the next day when the flavors have really settled in.
02 -
  • Dont rush the simmer, the cabbage needs that full 25 minutes to go from crunchy to tender and sweet.
  • If your broth tastes flat, a squeeze of lemon juice at the end can wake everything up without adding more salt.
03 -
  • Use a sharp knife to core and chop the cabbage, it makes the prep so much faster and less frustrating.
  • If you want a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when you add the garlic for a gentle kick.
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