cabbage Soup

Here’s a hearty and healthy cabbage soup recipe—light, flavorful, and easy to make. 🥬🍲

---

🥬 Classic Cabbage Soup

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

• 1 medium head of cabbage, chopped

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 carrots, sliced

• 2 celery stalks, sliced

• 1 bell pepper, chopped (optional)

• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes

• 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth

• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning

• 1 bay leaf

• Optional: 1–2 potatoes, diced

• Optional: 1 teaspoon paprika or chili flakes for spice

---

Instructions

1. Sauté aromatics

   • Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

   • Add onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté 5–7 minutes until softened.

2. Add cabbage & tomatoes

   • Stir in chopped cabbage and canned tomatoes (with juice).

3. Add broth & seasonings

   • Pour in broth, add salt, pepper, thyme, and bay leaf.

   • Add potatoes if using. Bring to a boil.

4. Simmer

   • Reduce heat and simmer 25–30 minutes, until vegetables are tender.

5. Finish & serve

   • Remove bay leaf. Adjust seasoning.

   • Serve hot, optionally with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or grated Parmesan.

---

🌟 Tips

• For extra flavor, sauté a pinch of smoked paprika with the aromatics.

• Can be made in slow cooker: cook on low 6–8 hours.

• Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors meld.

---

Variations

• Meaty: Add cooked sausage, ground beef, or diced chicken.

• Spicy: Add chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce.

• Low-carb: Skip potatoes; use zucchini or cauliflower instead.

• Creamy: Stir in ½ cup cream or coconut milk before serving.

I can also give a quick 20-minute cabbage soup recipe that’s perfect for weeknights if you want.