When I think of Cabbage Soup, I picture the winters of my childhood, sitting in my grandma’s warm kitchen where the scent of simmering vegetables filled the air. She believed it wasn’t just food, but comfort in a bowl — light, nourishing, and soul-settling. Today, I’ve taken her original recipe and added a modern twist for those of us who love a healthy balance: a cozy, low-calorie Cabbage Soup recipe that still tastes like home.
I’ll show you how this simple dish became the heart of the famous cabbage soup diet, why it’s still loved today, and how you can whip up a bowl in under 30 minutes. If you’re craving a reset meal that’s both hearty and healthy, this recipe is for you. (You might also love trying a warm Asian chicken noodle soup when comfort cravings hit!)
Table of Contents
Sarah’s Story – From Sluggish to Light and Confident with Cabbage Soup
Sarah Mitchell, a 32-year-old teacher from Portland, Oregon, had been struggling with low energy, constant bloating, and stubborn weight around her midsection. “By the time I got home from school, I was exhausted. Cooking felt like a chore, and I ended up reaching for takeout way too often,” she recalls.
One Sunday afternoon, while scrolling for healthy comfort food recipes, Sarah came across the benefits of the cabbage soup diet and decided to try a simple, vegetable-packed cabbage soup recipe easy enough for weeknights. She prepped a big pot with cabbage, carrots, celery, tomatoes, and herbs — and stored portions in the fridge.
Within two weeks, Sarah noticed she felt lighter, her digestion improved, and those mid-afternoon energy crashes started disappearing. By the end of three months, she had lost 22 pounds — without cutting out her favorite foods. Her new routine included a warm bowl of cabbage soup before dinner, balanced home-cooked meals, and a few evening walks.
“It wasn’t a crash diet,” Sarah explains. “It was one simple change that gave me structure. The soup filled me up, curbed my cravings, and made healthy eating easier. Now I feel energized, confident, and excited to cook again.”
Cabbage Soup for Weight Loss
Sofie NienhausEquipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 carrots chopped
- 0.25 cups celery chopped
- 2 cups cabbage chopped
- 0.5 cup green bell pepper chopped
- 250 g tomatoes
- 3 cups water
- 2 bay leaf
- 1 tsp mixed herbs
- 0.5 tsp roasted red chilli flakes
- salt to taste
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp green chilli sauce optional
- 1 tbsp red chilli sauce
- 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- For making Instant Pot weight loss soup, start the instant pot in saute mode. Add olive oil and add chopped onions.
- Saute the onion until the onions are softened.
- Add carrots and celery, cook for the few minutes.
- Add tomatoes and cook for few minutes.
- Add in salt to taste, mixed herbs, red chili flakes, green chilli sauce, red chilli sauce, cayenne pepper (if using), black pepper powder and mix well.
- Add green bell peppers, chopped cabbage stir everything together and combine.
- Add water and close the lid of the instant pot. Close the steam vent and use manual settings. Set the pressure to high and reduce the time to 5 Minute.
- After that allow it 5-7 minutes to cool down and with the help of a long-handled spoon gently release the steam vent.
- Serve the vegetable soup hot
Nutrition
Cabbage Soup in a Bowl
Cabbage soup is a low-calorie, high-fiber dish perfect for weight loss and comfort. This easy recipe blends cabbage, carrots, celery, and tomatoes with herbs and spices into a warm, filling soup you can enjoy in a 7-day plan or as a nourishing weeknight dinner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 1/4 cup celery, chopped
- 2 cups cabbage, chopped
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
- 250 g tomatoes, chopped
- 3 cups water
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon mixed herbs
- 1/2 teaspoon roasted red chili flakes
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon green chili sauce (optional)
- 1 tablespoon red chili sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Step-by-Step Directions (Instant Pot Friendly)
- Start your Instant Pot on sauté mode. Warm olive oil and add chopped onions.
- Sauté until soft, about 3 minutes.
- Add carrots and celery, cooking for another 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in tomatoes and cook until slightly broken down.
- Season with salt, mixed herbs, chili flakes, sauces, cayenne, and black pepper. Stir well.
- Add bell pepper and cabbage. Mix until coated in spices.
- Pour in water, close the lid, seal the vent, and set pressure to high for 5 minutes.
- Let the pot cool for 5–7 minutes, then carefully release steam.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if you like.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Servings: 2
Nutrition (per serving): 158 kcal | Carbs: 22 g | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 8 g | Fiber: 7 g | Sodium: 674 mg
Tools You’ll Need
- Instant Pot or large soup pot
- Sharp chef’s knife
- Wooden spoon
- Ladle for serving
For People with Diabetes: Sugar Substitutes
Skip honey or maple syrup — instead, use safe options like stevia, monk fruit, erythritol, or allulose if you want a hint of sweetness without spiking blood sugar.
The Original Cabbage Soup Recipe Story
Yes, the beauty of cabbage soup lies in its simplicity. Long before it became known as the cabbage soup diet, families across Europe and Asia relied on this humble dish for warmth and nourishment. My grandmother often told me stories of her mother ladling cabbage soup into bowls during harsh winters, stretching a small harvest into meals that fed a family for days. That original cabbage soup recipe was nothing fancy — just cabbage, carrots, onions, and a pinch of herbs — but the aroma alone could make you feel cared for.
Cabbage soup has traveled across cultures, appearing in Russian shchi, Irish boiled cabbage, and even Chinese cabbage broths. Each version carries a story of resilience: taking what’s available, making it delicious, and sharing it around the table. Today, we lean on cabbage soup not just for survival but also as a mindful choice — light, hearty, and perfect for resetting after indulgent meals.
Who It’s For
This soup is for anyone seeking:
- A comforting, low-calorie dish.
- A vegan- and gluten-free option that still feels hearty.
- A budget-friendly recipe that uses everyday vegetables.
Whether you’re following a 7-day weight loss cabbage soup recipe plan or just need a cozy weeknight meal, it fits the bill.
When to Cook It
- After the holidays: A gentle reset meal.
- During cold weather: A steaming bowl warms you from the inside.
- On busy nights: Chop, sauté, and pressure cook — dinner’s done in under 30 minutes.
Whenever I make it, I remember winter evenings when my grandma’s kitchen windows fogged with steam, and I’d wrap my hands around the bowl before taking the first sip. That memory alone makes cabbage soup taste even better.
Cabbage Soup Diet – Does It Really Work?
It depends. The cabbage soup diet has been around for decades, often called a “miracle” 7-day plan for fast weight loss. The idea is simple: eat generous portions of this low-calorie soup alongside certain fruits, vegetables, and proteins throughout the week. Because cabbage soup is so low in calories yet packed with fiber, you feel full without overeating.
But here’s the truth: while the diet can help you shed pounds quickly, most of that weight loss comes from water, not long-term fat reduction. That’s why nutritionists suggest using cabbage soup as a helpful reset or to boost vegetable intake — not as a permanent meal plan.
What makes this soup appealing is how naturally detoxifying it feels. The high water content keeps you hydrated, the fiber aids digestion, and the spices (like cayenne and chili flakes) give your metabolism a gentle nudge. For me, it’s less about “dieting” and more about the ritual — simmering vegetables, filling the house with savory aromas, and savoring a warm, nourishing bowl.
If you’re curious about how cabbage soup compares to other cleansing meals, you might enjoy trying detox turmeric chicken soup, another bowl designed to refresh your system.
Cabbage Soup Recipe Easy – Quick Tips for Success
Yes — cabbage soup can be incredibly easy. What once took my grandmother hours on the stove now takes me less than 30 minutes with an Instant Pot. That’s the beauty of this dish: it adapts to the pace of life.
My Kitchen Tips for Easy Success
- Chop smart: Roughly chop the cabbage and vegetables — they don’t need to be perfect since they’ll soften in the broth.
- Build flavor early: Sauté the onion, celery, and carrots before adding water. It deepens the taste without needing extra fat.
- Spice it right: Balance heat (chili flakes, cayenne) with herbs (bay leaves, mixed herbs). If you like it milder, reduce the chili sauces.
- Use your Instant Pot: Five minutes on high pressure brings everything together beautifully.
- Batch cook & freeze: Double the recipe and freeze half in portions for busy nights.
I remember one evening, coming home late after a long workday, when I thought I had nothing for dinner. A half head of cabbage, a few carrots, and onions became this soup in under half an hour. The first spoonful was enough to ease the day’s stress — that’s the magic of a cabbage soup recipe easy enough to make anytime.
Related Searches Covered
Weight Loss Cabbage Soup Recipe
If your goal is shedding a few pounds, this weight loss cabbage soup recipe is your best companion. With only 158 calories per serving and a rich balance of fiber from cabbage and carrots, it keeps you full while staying light. I often pair it with a simple green salad or a slice of whole-grain bread when I want a complete but still calorie-friendly meal.
Original Cabbage Soup Recipe
The original cabbage soup recipe my grandmother made was rustic: cabbage, onions, carrots, and a bay leaf simmered for hours on the stove. No chili sauces, no cayenne pepper — just vegetables, water, and patience. It was food born of necessity but filled with love. When I make it today, I sometimes skip the spicier sauces to bring back that traditional taste. It’s amazing how the sweetness of slow-cooked cabbage shines through on its own.
Cabbage Soup Diet
The cabbage soup diet is often debated, but one thing is certain: it makes vegetables the star of the week. Following the 7-day plan, you’ll enjoy unlimited cabbage soup alongside structured additions like fruit, lean protein, and brown rice. When I tried it after the holidays one year, I loved the lightness it gave me — though by day seven, I was dreaming of chocolate cake! My advice: treat the diet as a short reset, not a forever plan.
abbage Soup Recipe Easy
Sometimes, you just want something you can make without fuss. That’s where the cabbage soup recipe easy shines. I chop vegetables in the morning, and by evening, all I need to do is toss them in the Instant Pot for a quick dinner. It’s forgiving, too — if you’re missing celery or bell pepper, just add what you have. This soup is proof that simple food can be deeply satisfying.
Storing and Reheating Tips
One of the best parts about cabbage soup is how well it keeps. I often make a double batch, knowing tomorrow’s bowl will taste even better as the flavors deepen.
Storing
- Refrigerator: Cool the soup completely before storing in an airtight container. It will keep well for 3–4 days.
- Freezer: Portion into freezer-safe containers, leaving room for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating
- On the stove: Warm gently over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water if it’s too thick.
- In the microwave: Reheat individual servings in a covered bowl, stirring halfway through.
- Tip: Always reheat only the amount you plan to eat — reheating repeatedly can make the cabbage soft and dull in flavor.
I’ve found that a bowl of reheated cabbage soup is like a gift to my future self. After a long day, pulling a ready-made container from the fridge or freezer feels like a small act of care.
Conclusion
In the end, cabbage soup is more than a diet trend or quick dinner. It’s a reminder of how simple ingredients can create something deeply comforting and nourishing. From the original cabbage soup recipe that warmed my grandmother’s kitchen to today’s modern, spice-kissed version, this humble dish continues to carry its legacy of health and care.
Whether you’re following the cabbage soup diet for a week, making an easy cabbage soup recipe on a busy night, or savoring the flavors of the weight loss cabbage soup recipe, the heart of this soup is the same: wholesome comfort in every spoonful.
I invite you to make it your own — add your favorite spices, adjust the vegetables, and create new family memories around the table. Cooking isn’t about perfection; it’s about presence, care, and connection.
Tell me how you’ve made this recipe yours — did you keep it classic, or give it a twist? Share in the comments so our little kitchen community keeps growing.
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FAQs
What are some common mistakes when making cabbage soup?
Yes — one of the biggest mistakes is overcooking the cabbage. When boiled too long, it becomes mushy and loses its sweetness. Another mistake is under-seasoning; cabbage needs herbs and spices to shine. Finally, don’t skip sautéing onions and carrots first — it builds depth and prevents the soup from tasting flat.
What does cabbage soup do for your body?
Cabbage soup is rich in fiber and water, which support digestion and hydration. It’s also low in calories yet high in vitamins C and K, making it a great choice if you want to feel light while still nourished. When enjoyed as part of a balanced diet, it can help reset eating habits and add more vegetables to your plate.
What spices go with cabbage soup?
The best spices for cabbage soup are bay leaves, black pepper, chili flakes, and mixed herbs like oregano or thyme. For extra warmth, cayenne pepper works beautifully. If you prefer a gentler flavor, fresh parsley or dill added at the end keeps it bright and fresh.
What is the best soup to eat to lose weight?
It depends, but cabbage soup is often recommended because it’s low-calorie, filling, and easy to prepare in bulk. Other great options include broth-based vegetable soups or lean chicken soups with lots of greens. What matters most is choosing soups that are light, nutrient-rich, and free from heavy creams.
What are the 4 ingredients in cabbage soup?
At its simplest, the four ingredients in cabbage soup are cabbage, onions, carrots, and water. That’s the base of the original cabbage soup recipe. From there, you can add herbs, spices, and other vegetables to make it more flavorful.
What not to put in soup?
Avoid adding ingredients that overwhelm or change the nature of the soup. For cabbage soup, skip excess oils, heavy creams, or overly starchy vegetables that can make it calorie-dense. Since this soup is meant to be light and cleansing, keeping it simple is the secret.