Classic Cabbage (Printable)

A comforting blend of tender cabbage and vegetables in a savory tomato broth, perfect for a light, nourishing meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium head green cabbage, cored and chopped (about 6 cups)
02 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
03 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
04 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Tomato Base

06 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
07 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste

→ Broth & Seasoning

08 - 6 cups vegetable broth
09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1 bay leaf
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat a large soup pot over medium heat. Add a splash of oil, then sauté the onion, carrot, and celery for 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the chopped cabbage. Stir well and cook for 3–4 minutes until it begins to wilt.
04 - Mix in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
05 - Add diced tomatoes with juice, vegetable broth, thyme, bay leaf, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
06 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25–30 minutes, or until the cabbage and vegetables are tender.
07 - Discard the bay leaf. Adjust seasoning if needed.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together with pantry staples and one head of cabbage, costing almost nothing but tasting like something from a restaurant
  • The soup actually tastes better the next day, making it perfect for batch cooking and meal prep
02 -
  • Do not skip the step of sautéing the vegetables first, as this builds layers of flavor that water cannot replicate
  • The cabbage will look like too much at first but it wilts down significantly, so trust the process
03 -
  • Cut your cabbage into uniform pieces so everything cooks evenly
  • Wait to add salt until the end since the broth and tomatoes already contain sodium
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