This easy Cabbage Soup is a healthy soup recipe made with just SIX ingredients, including cabbage, carrots, onions, celery, and tomatoes. Dairy free, vegetarian, gluten free and DELICIOUS.
Got extra cabbage? Try this Cabbage Roll Soup, this Homemade Coleslaw Recipe or swap it for the coleslaw mix in this easy Chicken Chow Mein recipe.
Table of Contents
This Cabbage Soup is part of my 6 Ingredient Suppers series! Click here for all of my 6 Ingredient Suppers.
I know, I know.
Maybe Cabbage Soup isn’t as exciting for you as it is for me, but once you make it, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised how incredibly flavorful it is!
I will confess that I don’t eat a lot of cabbage in other applications 😉
No cabbage rolls for me, and this Homemade Coleslaw I make for my family because they love it.
But Cabbage Soup always reminds me of my mom, and my grandparents, and being a child because my mom would make a similar version of Cabbage Soup (though with a lot more than 6 ingredients!) that we called Cabbage Borscht or Cumst Borscht. It’s a Mennonite classic!
This version is much simpler to make, and though it’s not quite the same, it still has a lot of the same flavors and is such a warming, comforting meal when it’s cold outside!
I had a nasty cold when I started testing this recipe, and it was seriously the best cure! It will warm you right through.
If you’re looking for more healthy soup recipes — perfect for healing what ails you! — check out my Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup or my Turkey Noodle Soup!
How to make Cabbage Soup:
- Chop your veggies! Onion, carrots, celery and cabbage. Aside from this, there’s very little prep to be done.
- Heat some oil in a dutch oven and saute your veggies to give them a head start. I find if I don’t do this, I’m left with crunchy bits of onion and celery which no one likes!
- Add your diced tomatoes and chicken or vegetable broth — cover and simmer until all the vegetables are tender! This can take some time, but it’s hands off time so I’m not too worried about it!
- Serve! Be sure to have some dinner buns, biscuits or crusty bread handy, and if you want to add a tried and true Mennonite twist, a splash of heavy cream 😉
Variations on this Cabbage Soup:
- Add some protein: can easily add ground Italian sausage or ground beef to this recipe (or ground Italian turkey sausage if you want to keep it light) — simply saute in the pan before adding your vegetables and continue on with the recipe. Some of this Crockpot Shredded Chicken or Instant Pot Shredded Chicken would also make a great addition!
- Add more veggies: throw them in when sauteeing the other vegetables (mushrooms, peppers, etc)., when simmering the soup (potatoes, green beans, etc) or throw them in just before serving (frozen vegetables).
- Add more herbs and spices: you can easily bump up the herbs and spices in this recipe by adding some additional garlic or Italian seasoning (the same herbs that will be in the tomatoes), or even dill (as is in my traditional cabbage borscht recipe) or other herbs you enjoy. Want it spicy? Add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes.
- Add in some cooked rice and ground beef for cabbage roll soup.
- Add in pasta or beans to make this soup even heartier.
- Add in crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce to thicken the soup and give more tomato flavor.
How to store Cabbage Soup:
In the refrigerator:
This soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. It’s a great soup for making ahead because it tastes even better the next day!
How to freeze Cabbage Soup:
This is also a great soup for freezing!
I prefer to freeze in large freezer bags as they don’t take up a lot of freezer space and they can be thawed quickly.
Pour into a freezer bag, seal and freeze flat. To thaw, leave at room temperature for 3-4 hours, or place in a sink of shallow, room temperature water for 30-45 minutes.
You can also freeze in freezer jars or any freezer safe container.
More healthy soup recipes:
- Lasagna Soup: Crockpot or Instant Pot
- Stuffed Pepper Soup
- Chicken Rice Soup – Stove Top or Slow Cooker
- Beef and Barley Soup
Cabbage Soup
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 4 cups chopped green cabbage (about ⅓ large head)
- 3 large carrots peeled and chopped
- 2 ribs celery finely chopped
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 3 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes with Italian seasonings 14oz/400ml
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a large soup pot, heat oil over medium heat.
- Add cabbage, carrots, celery and onion and cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add broth, tomatoes, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until all vegetables are tender (40-60 minutes, depending on your preferred consistency).
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Nutrition Information
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Tried this recipe?
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Theresa Morgala says
Can I put in a can of great northern beans?
I already made the soup…its so good
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Theresa, I’m sure you could! Enjoy!
Becky says
If I make this in slow cooker do I have to saute the veggies first bfore putting I. Slow cooker??thanks
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Becky! I haven’t tried it but you could probably do either way. Enjoy!
Karen Edelman says
Loved it too. I added more carrots and felt it needed more salt too but it was very good.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Karen! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Deb Hagen says
Have you tried this with bagged coleslaw mix?
The Recipe Rebel says
No, I’m sorry I haven’t Deb.
Lucinda says
Very good but needed more liquid. I added Italian seasoning and a can of beer. Needed way more salt and pepper, but it was delish!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Lucinda! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for this kind review!
Angela Dubov says
Hello! I have been looking for healthier recipes and tried this soup. We love it!!! My husband took the leftovers as a meal to work and was so satisfied. That was earlier last week. Today, he asked if I can make it again. I sure did. Delicious. Thank you.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Angela! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this review!
wanda alexanderder says
This cabbage soup recipe is by far that I have eve came a crossed..Thank for sharing it..
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Wanda! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this review!
Gail Herbest says
I added a can of navy beans, and a can of rotel I used the small baby carrots and chopped up some red bell pepper along with some Mrs Dash and other seasonings, it came out Yummy!!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Gail!
Dee says
Absolutely delicious! I’m making this for the 2nd time tonight. We love it and it’s so easy.
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad!
Kristen Szwed says
I love this soup. I add ground sausage and lean ground beef. Ive made this soup 4xs already and i add different things each time. Its always different. But gets better each time i make it.
Ashley Fehr says
Ground sausage is a great addition!
Kal Mudan says
Made this soup it was amazing. And I am making it again. Love it.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Kal!
Dan Muscato says
Made it in my slow cooker and it was delicious. I improvised a bit, but over all, very pleased, added a pound of ground Turkey, forgot the celery, damn, added broccoli crowns, & onion, also added a few extra spices, 2 bay leaves, & pinch of Rosemary. Mmmmm!!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Dan!
Donna Griffis says
Added some fire roasted red peppers and tomatoes. Also 1 tsp red pepper. Gave it a great kick. I went back for seconds!
Ashley Fehr says
That’s a great idea!
Kathleen says
You have it under Instant Pot recipes but you don’t have instructions for that.
Ashley Fehr says
Sorry! That is a mistake as I haven’t tested this recipe in the Instant Pot yet. I’m sure it can be done I just don’t know exact cook times yet!
Dianne Mitchell says
I made the Cabbage Soup last night when I got home from work. OMG!!! it was so delicious and easy to make. I added garlic and a bay leaves and paired it with french bread. I made enough to store some in the freezer for next week.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Dianne! I’m so glad you loved it!
Dean Homan says
This is very close to Weight Watchers soup. I doubled everything except the vegetables to get left overs.
This a very good soup which I will make again.