The short answer: for an easy cabbage soup, soften onion, carrots, celery and garlic in olive oil, add 8 cups of chopped green cabbage, a can of diced tomatoes and 6 cups of broth, then simmer 20 to 25 minutes until tender. It takes about 40 minutes and makes 8 to 10 servings.
- Key numbers: 1 medium head cabbage (about 2 pounds) · 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes · 6 cups broth · 20 to 25 minute simmer · 3 to 4 days in the fridge
- Make it heartier: brown 1 pound ground beef (to 160°F) first, or add a can of white beans
- Free and paid next step: get the free recipe book starter pages (we email it to you), or plan soup night with the Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99).
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Prep time: 25 minCook time: 37 minTotal time: 1 hr 2 minServings: 8 to 10 servings
Amounts and times in this cabbage soup recipe were checked November 4, 2026. The sections below cover ingredients, stovetop and slow cooker steps, a ground beef version, variations, budget tips and storage.
Cabbage soup ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Olive oil | 2 tablespoons | |
| Yellow onion | 1 large, diced | |
| Carrots | 2, sliced | |
| Celery | 2 ribs, sliced | |
| Garlic | 3 cloves, minced | |
| Tomato paste | 2 tablespoons | Adds depth |
| Green cabbage | 1 medium head, about 8 cups chopped | Core removed |
| Diced tomatoes | 1 can, 14.5 ounces, with juice | Fire-roasted is great |
| Low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth | 6 cups | |
| Smoked or sweet paprika | 1 teaspoon | |
| Italian seasoning | 1 teaspoon | Or dried thyme |
| Bay leaf | 1 | |
| Salt and black pepper | To taste | |
| Lemon juice or red wine vinegar | 1 tablespoon | Stir in at the end |
| Fresh parsley | ¼ cup, chopped | Optional |
How to make cabbage soup on the stove
- Soften the vegetables. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the onion, carrots and celery 6 to 8 minutes, until soft.
- Add flavor. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, paprika and Italian seasoning. Cook 1 minute, until the paste darkens.
- Add the cabbage. Stir in the chopped cabbage and cook 3 to 4 minutes, until it starts to wilt.
- Simmer. Add the tomatoes, broth and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer partly covered for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Finish. Remove the bay leaf. Stir in the lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper and top with parsley.
Salt tip: broth is where most of the salt comes from. Start with low-sodium broth and season at the end; the FDA's Daily Value for sodium is less than 2,300 mg a day.
Cabbage soup with ground beef
Brown 1 pound of lean ground beef in the pot before step 1, breaking it up as it cooks. USDA says ground beef is done at 160°F. Drain the fat, scoop the beef out, cook the vegetables in the same pot and return the beef with the broth. It tastes like a deconstructed cabbage roll, especially with ½ cup of uncooked rice added for the last 20 minutes and an extra cup of broth. Find more ideas in our ground beef dinner ideas.
Slow cooker and Instant Pot cabbage soup
| Method | Steps | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Stovetop | As above | About 40 minutes |
| Slow cooker | Brown any meat first, then add everything except lemon and parsley | 6 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 on high |
| Instant Pot | Sauté vegetables, add the rest, pressure cook | 5 minutes high pressure + 10 minute natural release |
For more set-it-and-forget-it dinners, see our slow cooker recipes.
Cabbage soup variations
Hearty versions
- Kielbasa cabbage soup with sliced smoked sausage and potatoes
- Unstuffed cabbage roll soup with ground beef, rice and a little brown sugar
- Chicken cabbage soup with shredded rotisserie chicken added at the end
Vegetable versions 4. White bean and cabbage soup with cannellini beans and rosemary 5. Lighter vegetable cabbage soup with zucchini, green beans and bell pepper 6. Creamy cabbage potato soup with a splash of milk stirred in at the end
Want more bowls like this? Browse our soup recipes, minestrone soup and low-calorie meals.
A budget-friendly pot of soup
Cabbage is usually one of the lower-cost vegetables in the produce aisle and one head makes a very big pot, so this soup fits easily into meal planning on a budget. For a cabbage skillet instead of a broth-based pot, try our egg roll in a bowl recipe.
- Use what you have: half a bag of carrots, a lonely potato or leftover chicken all work.
- Make a double batch and freeze half for a future dinner. Our freezer meals list has more ideas.
- Track produce prices in a grocery price book, and see how to grocery shop on a budget for more savings.
- Plan lunches from it: one pot covers dinner plus several lunches. More in our meal prep ideas.
Storing and freezing cabbage soup
Cool the soup and refrigerate it within 2 hours. USDA says leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. For longer storage, freeze it in portions. Frozen food stays safe indefinitely at 0°F, and soups taste best within 2 to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot.
Plan soup night and save the recipe
- Meal Planner & Grocery List, $3.99. A weekly menu grid, an aisle-sorted grocery list and a pantry inventory so broth and tomatoes are always on hand.
- Family Recipe Binder, $6.99. Fillable recipe pages, dividers and 4x6 cards for every soup your family loves.
- Family Life Admin Bundle, $15.99 (
$23.95bought separately). Includes both printables above plus three more family organizers.
Browse every meal planner and recipe printable in our printables shop.
Frequently asked questions
What goes in cabbage soup? Classic cabbage soup has green cabbage, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, diced tomatoes and broth, seasoned with paprika, Italian herbs and a bay leaf. Many families add ground beef, sausage, beans or potatoes to make it heartier.
How long do you cook cabbage soup? Simmer cabbage soup for 20 to 25 minutes after it boils, until the cabbage is tender but not mushy. On the stove the whole recipe takes about 40 minutes, or 6 to 8 hours on low in a slow cooker.
What kind of cabbage is best for soup? Green cabbage is the classic choice because it holds its shape and tastes mild and sweet. Savoy cabbage is softer and cooks faster, and red cabbage works but turns the broth purple.
How do you make cabbage soup taste better? Brown the onion and tomato paste well, use a good broth, add smoked paprika and finish each pot with a squeeze of lemon or a splash of vinegar. Fresh parsley and black pepper at the end brighten it too.
Can I add meat to cabbage soup? Yes, you can add meat to cabbage soup: brown 1 pound of ground beef, turkey or sliced smoked sausage before the vegetables. Cook ground beef to 160°F and drain the fat, then build the soup in the same pot.
Is cabbage soup healthy? Vegetable cabbage soup is low in calories and full of vegetables and fiber. Use low-sodium broth to keep salt in check, and enjoy it as part of a balanced diet rather than a crash diet.
Can you freeze cabbage soup? Yes, cabbage soup freezes well for 2 to 3 months for best quality. Cool it quickly, freeze it in portions and leave an inch of space at the top of each container.
How long does cabbage soup last in the fridge? Cabbage soup keeps 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator when cooled within 2 hours. Reheat it until it is steaming hot and bubbling.
How can I plan a soup night every week? The Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. has a weekly menu and an aisle-sorted grocery list, so a big pot of soup can cover dinner and lunches. It prints on US Letter paper.
Where can I save my family's cabbage soup recipe? The Family Recipe Binder ($6.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. has fillable recipe pages and dividers, so each version you love stays easy to find.
Does HomeBase Paper Co. sell the planner and binder as a set? Yes, HomeBase Paper Co. sells the meal planner and recipe binder together in the Family Life Admin Bundle, so meal plans and recipes stay in one system. The Family Life Admin Bundle ($15.99, $23.95 bought separately) from HomeBase Paper Co. groups the grocery and menu planner, the recipe binder and three more printables for running a busy household.
Sources
- USDA FSIS: Ground beef and food safety fsis.usda.gov
- USDA FSIS: Leftovers and food safety fsis.usda.gov
- USDA FSIS: Freezing and food safety fsis.usda.gov
- FDA: Sodium in your diet fda.gov