Simple 5-Ingredient Cabbage Soup Recipe

Cabbage Soup Recipe

This straightforward cabbage soup recipe evokes cherished memories from my early years. My father, who hailed from Czech heritage, made it a tradition to begin every evening meal with a soup much like this one-a delicate, vegetable-rich broth reminiscent of his beloved classic cauliflower soup. What seemed routine back then now strikes me as a purposeful choice: a soothing and healthful method to incorporate additional vegetables and dietary fiber into our diets. Given the chilly conditions we’ve experienced lately, this dish provided exactly the comfort needed, creating a fleeting sensation as if my father were standing beside me in the kitchen once more.

Why This Cabbage Soup Recipe Works

I have a deep appreciation for preparing meals with cabbage. In my view, this vegetable doesn’t receive the recognition it truly deserves. As a high-fiber, low-calorie option, it offers substantial satiety while being incredibly adaptable in various dishes. Recently, I’ve been delving into many of my late father’s culinary creations, and this particular recipe stood out for its simplicity and outstanding flavor, compelling me to share it with others.

• Minimal ingredients: Only five essential components are required to bring this dish together.
• Fast preparation: The entire process can be completed in less than 30 minutes, and any remaining portions reheat beautifully for later enjoyment.
• Budget-friendly: Purchasing a single head of cabbage delivers exceptional value and yield for your investment.

This photograph captures the soup from a recent family dinner, bringing warmth to the moment.

My collection features numerous cabbage-based dishes, spanning from refreshing slaws and vibrant salads to hearty casseroles and comforting soups such as this one, providing a wide array of options for incorporating this versatile ingredient into your meals.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Below is a detailed list of the components required for preparing this uncomplicated cabbage soup. For precise quantities, please consult the detailed recipe card provided further down in this article.

• Butter: Use it to gently sauté the onions, enhancing their natural sweetness with a touch of saltiness.
• Chopped Onions: These provide a foundational layer of savory depth to the overall flavor profile.
• Flour: This serves to thicken the broth effectively. For those avoiding gluten, a gluten-free alternative such as Cup4Cup performs excellently in this role.
• Green Cabbage: Begin by removing the tough core, then proceed to roughly chop the rest of the cabbage into manageable pieces.
• Liquid Base: Water combined with Better Than Bouillon mirrors the method my father preferred. Alternatively, chicken bouillon cubes work well, or opt for vegetable bouillon to maintain a vegetarian-friendly version of the soup.
• Salt and Pepper: These essential seasonings allow you to fine-tune the taste according to your preferences.

How to Make Cabbage Soup

To streamline the cooking process, consider pre-chopping the vegetables one or two days in advance. This way, when you’re ready to cook, all elements are prepped and waiting. Detailed, printable instructions are available in the recipe card at the conclusion of this guide.

1. Sauté the onions: Melt the butter in a large pot and cook the onions over medium-low heat until they become tender and translucent, taking care not to allow them to brown. This step usually requires about 5 minutes of gentle stirring.
2. Incorporate the flour: Stir in the flour thoroughly and continue cooking for approximately 2 minutes. This process eliminates the raw flour taste, creating a smooth base for the soup.
3. Simmer the mixture: Introduce the chopped cabbage, water, and bouillon to the pot. Increase the heat to medium to bring the contents to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot securely, and allow it to simmer gently until the vegetables reach perfect tenderness, which typically takes around 20 minutes.
4. Taste and adjust seasonings: Sample the soup and season with salt and pepper as necessary to achieve the desired balance of flavors.

Simple Cabbage Soup (5 Ingredients)

This light and comforting cabbage soup, crafted from just five ingredients, comes together in under 30 minutes. It serves ideally as an appetizer or a straightforward weeknight dinner option, delivering nourishment without complexity.

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Yield: 8 servings

Serving Size: 1 ½ cups

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons salted butter, or dairy-free butter for a vegan adaptation
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
• 1 medium head green cabbage, cored and roughly chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 8 cups water
• 3 tablespoons Better Than Bouillon (chicken or vegetable for vegan)
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. In a spacious pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat and introduce the chopped onion. Sauté, stirring frequently, until the onion softens without browning, which takes approximately 5 minutes.
2. Sprinkle in the flour and stir continuously for about 2 minutes to cook it through and dispel any raw flavor.
3. Add the water, bouillon, and chopped cabbage, then adjust the heat to medium. Allow the mixture to come to a full boil before covering the pot and reducing the heat to medium-low. Simmer until the vegetables are fully tender, around 20 minutes.
4. Taste the soup and season with additional salt and pepper if required to perfect the seasoning.

Notes

Variations

• Dairy-free adaptation: Replace the butter with olive oil to accommodate dairy sensitivities.
• Gluten-free version: Swap regular all-purpose flour with a gluten-free multipurpose blend, such as Cup4Cup, for seamless results.
• Enhance with extra vegetables: Incorporate items like carrots, celery, or potatoes for added texture and nutrition.
• Alternative broth choices: Instead of water and bouillon, utilize ready-made vegetable broth or chicken bone broth for a protein boost, remembering to monitor and adjust salt levels accordingly.
• Heartier options: Boost substance by mixing in white beans, diced chicken breasts, or sliced sausage directly into the simmering broth.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 ½ cups, Calories: 98.5 kcal, Carbohydrates: 14.5 g, Protein: 4 g, Fat: 4 g, Saturated Fat: 2.5 g, Cholesterol: 10 mg, Sodium: 1088 mg, Fiber: 4 g, Sugar: 7 g

Serving Suggestions

This nutritious cabbage soup makes an excellent prelude to any dinner spread or stands alone as a rapid, wholesome meal when accompanied by a crisp salad or a hearty sandwich. Personally, I enjoy dipping crusty bread into the flavorful broth to savor every last drop, especially during a casual lunch.

Storage

• Refrigeration: Keep the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for up to 4 days.
• Freezing capability: This soup freezes exceptionally well. Transfer portions to airtight containers or specialized freezing trays like Souper Cubes, ensuring to leave adequate headspace at the top to accommodate expansion during freezing.
• Reheating guidelines: For best results, thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Subsequently, warm it gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until it reaches a piping hot temperature.

Variations

• Dairy-free soup: Use olive oil in place of butter for a completely dairy-free experience.
• Gluten-free preparation: Employ a gluten-free multipurpose flour like Cup4Cup instead of traditional flour.
• Vegetable additions: Expand the veggie content with carrots, celery, or potatoes for more variety and bulk.
• Broth substitutions: Exchange water and bouillon for vegetable broth or chicken bone broth to elevate protein content, adjusting salt as needed.
• Make it more substantial: Introduce white beans, pieces of chicken breast, or sausage slices into the pot for a more filling meal.