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A steaming bowl of healthy cabbage soup, garnished with fresh herbs.

Ultimate Cabbage Soup: The Flavorful Twist You Need

Discover the ultimate cabbage soup recipe, enhanced with a unique flavor twist including smoked paprika, bay leaf, balsamic glaze, and toasted caraway seeds. This healthy, budget-friendly, and comforting soup is easy to make and perfect for a light lunch or satisfying dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Lunch, Main Dish, Soup
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 1 large carrot (diced)
  • 2 celery stalks (diced)
  • 2 garlic cloves (minced)
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cabbage (chopped)
  • 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 4 to 6 cups vegetable broth (depending how thick or brothy you'd like it)
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • ¼ cup roughly chopped fresh parsley
  • cracked black pepper (to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Balsamic Glaze
  • Toasted caraway seeds

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Dutch oven

Method
 

1. Sauté the Mirepoix Base
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions, carrot, and celery. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften and become slightly fragrant. Allowing the vegetables to gently caramelize creates wonderfully deep aromatic compounds.
2. Infuse with Aromatics
  1. Add the minced garlic, dried oregano, and dried basil to the pot. Stir for another minute until you can really smell those incredible aromas. Be careful not to let the garlic burn!
3. Sweat the Cabbage
  1. Add the chopped cabbage and salt to the pot. Let the cabbage sweat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the leaves become nice and soft and slightly translucent. This process draws out moisture, enhances the cabbage's natural sweetness, and ensures a more tender texture.
4. Simmer with Depth (Unique Twist Integration)
  1. Pour in the vegetable broth (4-6 cups, depending on your desired thickness) and the can of diced tomatoes. Now, add 1 tablespoon smoked paprika and 1 bay leaf to the pot. Stir everything together. Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow it to cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes, or until all the vegetables, especially the cabbage, are softened to your liking.
5. Finish & Serve with Flair
  1. Remove the cabbage soup from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice, roughly chopped fresh parsley, and cracked black pepper to taste. The lemon juice is key for brightening all those wonderful flavors! For our signature finish, ladle the soup into bowls and swirl in a generous amount of Balsamic Glaze directly into each serving. Finally, sprinkle with toasted caraway seeds for an added layer of aroma and a delightful crunch. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 5gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 600mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 6gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 2000IUVitamin C: 60mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg

Notes

This cabbage soup is fantastic for meal prep as flavors deepen overnight. Don't skip the lemon juice for brightness, and the unique additions truly elevate the dish. Store in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.

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