Comforting Cabbage Vegetable Soup (Printable)

Light vegetable-packed cabbage soup that's budget-friendly, vegan, and perfect for healthy meal prep.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 small green cabbage (about 1.5 lbs), cored and chopped
02 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
03 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
04 - 1 medium onion, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
08 - 1 small zucchini, diced (optional)

→ Broth & Seasonings

09 - 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
15 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
16 - Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional)
17 - Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery; sauté for 5 minutes until slightly softened.
02 - Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the bell pepper, zucchini (if using), and cabbage. Sauté for another 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Pour in the diced tomatoes and vegetable broth. Add thyme, oregano, black pepper, salt, and chili flakes if using.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25–30 minutes, until all vegetables are tender.
06 - Adjust seasoning to taste. Stir in lemon juice if desired.
07 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It feels like a warm hug from someone who actually understands what your body needs after a heavy weekend.
  • Your kitchen will smell like a place where good decisions are being made, and that smell lingers in the best way.
  • This soup gets better as it sits, which means meal prep isn't a chore—it's an investment in future you.
02 -
  • Don't skip the initial sauté of onion, carrot, and celery—that foundation step is where flavor is actually built, not just assembled.
  • Cabbage needs longer cooking than you'd think to become truly tender, so resist the urge to rush the simmering time or you'll end up with squeaky bites.
03 -
  • If you're worried about the soup tasting bland, that's actually a sign to go slow on seasoning—add salt and pepper gradually at the end when you can taste everything together.
  • The difference between a flat soup and a vibrant one is often just that squeeze of lemon juice at the end, so don't skip it even if it seems optional.
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