Cabbage Fat-Burning Soup

Featured in Satisfying Hearty Mains.

Low calorie vegetable soup centered around cabbage and tomatoes. Makes a large batch perfect for meal prep and weight loss goals.
Clare Greco
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:16:22 GMT
A bowl of vegetable soup with chunks of carrots, celery, and herbs, sitting on a wooden surface. Pin it
A bowl of vegetable soup with chunks of carrots, celery, and herbs, sitting on a wooden surface. | recipesbyclare.com

My garden-fresh cabbage soup has become a staple in my kitchen and among my blog readers. This soul-warming recipe combines tender chunks of cabbage with colorful vegetables swimming in a rich, savory broth. I created this recipe during my own wellness journey, and now it's the most requested recipe on my cooking blog. The aroma that fills your kitchen while this simmers will make you fall in love before the first spoonful.

A Bowl Full of Love

This soup holds such a special place in my heart. I stumbled upon this combination during a busy week when my fridge was bursting with fresh produce from the local farmers market. The natural sweetness from garden vegetables mixed with savory beef broth creates pure magic in your bowl. It's become my go-to recipe for busy weeknights and lazy Sunday meal prep sessions.

What Goes Into My Special Soup

The secret to this soup's incredible flavor lies in its fresh ingredients. You'll need 10 stalks of crisp celery, 5 sweet carrots from your local market, 3 yellow onions that bring depth, 2 green bell peppers for that garden-fresh taste, and a beautiful head of cabbage that becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender. I also add a can of green beans, tomato juice, whole peeled tomatoes, beef broth, and my secret weapon: dry onion soup mix that makes everything sing together perfectly.

Getting Started in Your Kitchen

First things first, grab your favorite cutting board and sharp knife. Cut your vegetables into bite-sized pieces that will fit perfectly on your spoon. I like to make this task enjoyable by putting on my favorite podcast or music playlist. Take your time with the cabbage, letting each chop be mindful and careful. While you're chopping, go ahead and drain those green beans—they'll join the party soon enough.

Building Layers of Flavor

This is where the magic happens in your kitchen. Take your beautiful chopped vegetables and add them to your biggest soup pot. Now pour in that gorgeous red tomato juice and those whole peeled tomatoes, watching them splash into the pot. Add your beef broth and just enough water to cover everything. Sprinkle in the onion soup mix and watch it dissolve into the liquid, creating an incredible aroma.

A steaming bowl of cabbage soup filled with leafy greens and spices, served in a dark ceramic bowl on a wooden surface. Pin it
A steaming bowl of cabbage soup filled with leafy greens and spices, served in a dark ceramic bowl on a wooden surface. | recipesbyclare.com

Letting It Simmer to Perfection

Turn up the heat and bring your pot of goodness to a gentle boil. Once you see those bubbles dancing on the surface, lower the heat and let everything simmer together. Give it about 25 minutes of your time. You'll know it's ready when the vegetables are tender but still have a slight bite to them. The kitchen will smell absolutely amazing at this point.

Time to Enjoy Your Creation

Grab your favorite soup bowl and ladle in this beautiful creation. I love serving mine with a chunk of crusty whole grain bread that I pick up from my local bakery. Sometimes I'll toss together a quick green salad on the side, but honestly, this soup is a complete meal on its own. Watch as steam rises from the bowl, carrying the most wonderful aroma.

Saving Some for Later

This soup gets even better the next day when all the flavors have had time to mingle together. Pour your leftovers into containers that seal well and pop them in the fridge. They'll stay perfect for about 5 days. If you're thinking long term, divide it into portions and freeze them. It's like having a homemade meal ready whenever you need it.

Good for Your Body and Soul

There's something so satisfying about knowing each spoonful is packed with goodness. The vegetables bring fiber and vitamins while keeping calories low. I love how this soup fills me up without weighing me down. It's become my favorite way to stay on track with healthy eating while actually enjoying my food.

Make It Your Own

Sometimes I toss in whatever vegetables are looking lovely at the market. Zucchini adds such a nice touch in summer months. My spice-loving friends add their favorite hot peppers for extra kick. This recipe is like a canvas, just waiting for your personal touches. Trust your instincts and add what speaks to you.

A bowl of cabbage soup garnished with green herbs sits on a textured surface. Pin it
A bowl of cabbage soup garnished with green herbs sits on a textured surface. | recipesbyclare.com

Kitchen Wisdom

Over years of making this soup I've learned its little secrets. Keep an eye on those vegetables while they simmer—you want them tender but not mushy. Give the pot a gentle stir now and then, spreading all that good flavor around. Take a taste near the end and adjust the seasoning until it sings to you.

Sunday Meal Prep Star

This has become my Sunday afternoon ritual. I put on some music, chop my vegetables, and let the soup simmer while catching up on things around the house. By dinner time, I have meals ready for the whole week. It's such a peaceful way to prepare for busy days ahead.

Freezer Ready Comfort

On busy nights, nothing beats pulling a container of this soup from the freezer. Let it thaw overnight in your fridge, then warm it gently on the stove. The flavors stay just as beautiful as the day you made it. Sometimes I even make a double batch just for freezing.

Friendly on Your Wallet

Shopping for this soup brings such joy because everything is so affordable. These simple ingredients create something truly special without breaking the bank. I love being able to make a big batch that feeds many mouths or gives me meals for days, all while keeping my grocery budget happy.

A Friend to Your Wellness Goals

This recipe came from my own journey toward healthier eating. It fills your bowl and your belly while keeping things light and nutritious. The combination of vegetables and broth creates such satisfaction that you won't miss heavier meals. It's comfort food that loves you back.

A close-up of a bowl of hearty cabbage soup garnished with black pepper and herbs, sitting on a wooden surface. Pin it
A close-up of a bowl of hearty cabbage soup garnished with black pepper and herbs, sitting on a wooden surface. | recipesbyclare.com

Simple Kitchen Success

You don't need fancy equipment or chef skills to create this soup. A knife, a cutting board, and a big pot are all you need. The ingredients work their own magic together. It's the perfect recipe for busy people who want homemade goodness without complicated techniques.

Fresh Start in a Bowl

When my body craves something clean and nourishing, this soup answers the call. The abundance of vegetables provides natural detoxifying benefits while the warm broth soothes and satisfies. It's like pressing a reset button for your wellbeing.

Gathering Around the Pot

Some of my favorite moments happen when sharing this soup with family and friends. Even those who usually skip vegetables come back for seconds. I love watching people customize their bowls, adding their own touches and making the recipe their own.

Perfect Partners

While this soup shines on its own, I love serving it with simple sides. A slice of toasted sourdough bread or a crisp green salad makes the meal feel extra special. Sometimes I'll sprinkle fresh herbs on top or add a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.

From My Kitchen to Yours

This cabbage soup has traveled from my kitchen to countless others, bringing warmth and wellness along the way. It's more than just a recipe—it's become a trusted friend in kitchens everywhere. I hope it brings as much joy to your table as it has to mine.

A steaming bowl of vegetable soup with cabbage and carrots, served on a wooden surface. Pin it
A steaming bowl of vegetable soup with cabbage and carrots, served on a wooden surface. | recipesbyclare.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How long does this soup keep?

Stores well in refrigerator for up to 5 days. Can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

→ Can I use different vegetables?

Yes, feel free to add or substitute vegetables based on preference. Just keep the cabbage as the base.

→ Is this soup really fat-burning?

While no food burns fat directly, this low-calorie, high-fiber soup can help with weight loss as part of a healthy diet.

→ Can I make this vegetarian?

Yes, substitute vegetable broth for beef broth and use vegetable soup mix instead of onion soup mix.

→ Why is there so much liquid?

The large amount of liquid helps cook the vegetables properly and ensures enough soup for multiple servings.

Conclusion

This cabbage fat-burning soup is a nutritious, low-calorie option designed to support weight loss goals. Packed with vegetables and high in fiber, it offers a satisfying meal that can be easily prepared in advance.

Cabbage Fat-Burning Soup

A nutritious and filling vegetable soup featuring cabbage, tomatoes, and other vegetables. Great for healthy eating and weight loss.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 15 Servings (15 servings)

Dietary: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 10 stalks celery, chopped.
02 5 carrots, chopped.
03 3 onions, chopped.
04 2 green bell peppers, diced.
05 1 large head cabbage, chopped.
06 1 can (15 oz) green beans, drained.
07 2 quarts tomato juice.
08 2 cans (16 oz each) whole peeled tomatoes.
09 1 can (14 oz) beef broth.
10 Cold water to cover.
11 1 package (1 oz) dry onion soup mix.

Instructions

Step 01

Gather and prepare all vegetables.

Step 02

Add all vegetables to large soup pot.

Step 03

Pour in tomato juice, tomatoes, broth and water. Stir in soup mix.

Step 04

Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 25 minutes until vegetables are tender.

Notes

  1. Can be stored in refrigerator for several days.
  2. Great for healthy eating and weight loss.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large soup pot.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 90
  • Total Fat: 1 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 21 g
  • Protein: 4 g