Hearty Creamy Cabbage Soup Recipe: Comfort in a Bowl

Crafting a delightful cabbage soup promises comfort on chilly evenings.

Cozy kitchens buzz with anticipation when aromas start wafting through the house.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a soul-warming dish that feels like a warm embrace.

Nutritious and simple, this recipe speaks to anyone seeking wholesome meals without complicated techniques.

Cabbage brings unexpected depth and richness to every spoonful.

We’ll walk through each step, making sure you feel confident and excited about cooking.

Steaming bowls await, ready to chase away hunger and bring pure culinary joy.

Why Creamy Cabbage Soup Is So Satisfying

• Craft a Comfort Classic: This cabbage soup transforms simple ingredients into a heartwarming dish that brings families together around the dinner table.
• Minimize Kitchen Complexity: Designed for home cooks of all skill levels, the recipe requires basic chopping and sautéing techniques that anyone can master with minimal cooking experience.
• Adaptable Nutrition Powerhouse: Packed with vegetables and customizable protein options, this soup delivers a nutrient-dense meal that supports healthy eating without sacrificing flavor.
• Budget-Friendly Culinary Solution: Utilizing affordable, readily available ingredients like cabbage, carrots, and basic pantry staples, this recipe offers delicious nourishment without breaking the bank.

What You Need For Creamy Cabbage Soup

• Cabbage: A hearty vegetable that adds bulk and a subtle sweetness to the soup.
• Carrots: Provide natural sweetness and vibrant color to the dish.
• Onions: Offer a foundational flavor and aromatic base for the soup.
• Celery: Contributes a delicate, fresh flavor and additional texture.

• Garlic: Brings depth and a robust flavor to the vegetable mixture.

• Chicken Broth, Vegetable Broth: Creates a flavorful and nutritious foundation for the soup.

• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and a smooth, velvety texture to the soup.
• Butter: Enhances the overall flavor and provides a luxurious mouthfeel.
• Sour Cream: Offers a tangy finish and creamy complexity to the dish.

• Bay Leaf: Infuses a subtle, earthy flavor during simmering.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste profile.
• Parsley: A fresh herb that adds a bright, green garnish and light herbal note.

• Olive Oil: Provides a base for sautéing vegetables and adding a subtle flavor.

How To Make Creamy Cabbage Soup

Step 1: Rinse and Chop Vegetables

Thoroughly wash cabbage, onions, carrots, and celery. Chop each vegetable into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.

• Cabbage
• Onions
• Carrots
• Celery

Use a sharp knife and cutting board for precise chopping.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, cooking until they become translucent and release a delightful fragrance, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3: Add Hearty Vegetables

Toss chopped carrots and celery into the pot. Stir continuously and cook for 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften and develop a slight tenderness.

Step 4: Incorporate Cabbage

Fold the chopped cabbage into the vegetable mixture. Stir to combine and let it wilt, releasing moisture for 7-8 minutes.

Step 5: Create Flavorful Broth

Pour chicken or vegetable broth into the pot. Add bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to dance together.

Step 6: Slow Simmer

Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for 20-25 minutes. This allows vegetables to become tender and flavors to meld beautifully.

Step 7: Enrich with Cream

Remove the bay leaf. Stir in heavy cream and butter, transforming the soup into a luxurious, velvety delight.

Step 8: Final Warming

Let the soup simmer for an additional 3-4 minutes after adding cream. Ensure it’s heated through but not boiling.

Step 9: Finish with Freshness

Stir in sour cream and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top, adding a burst of color and bright flavor.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the steaming soup into warm bowls. Serve immediately to savor the perfect temperature and rich, comforting flavors.

Tips To Get Creamy Cabbage Soup Just Right

• Chop with Precision: Cut vegetables into uniform, bite-sized pieces to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Sauté for Depth: Slowly cook onions and garlic in olive oil until translucent to build a rich, aromatic flavor foundation for the soup.
• Layer Vegetables Strategically: Add harder vegetables like carrots and celery first, then incorporate cabbage to ensure proper softening and texture development.
• Simmer Gently: Keep heat low and cover the pot while cooking to allow vegetables to become tender and flavors to meld seamlessly without losing moisture.
• Cream Carefully: Stir in cream and butter at the end, avoiding boiling to maintain a smooth, velvety consistency and prevent separation.

Flavorful Ideas For Creamy Cabbage Soup

• Vegetarian Cabbage Soup: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit butter, using olive oil instead for a plant-based version.
• Low-Carb Cabbage Soup: Reduce carrots and skip cream, focusing on high-fiber vegetables and adding more protein like diced chicken or tofu.
• Spicy Cabbage Soup: Incorporate red pepper flakes, jalapeños, and smoked paprika to create a warming, bold flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and use dairy-free butter or additional olive oil for a creamy texture without dairy.

Best Pairings For Creamy Cabbage Soup

• Pair with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Slice a warm, tangy sourdough bread to dip into the creamy soup, soaking up rich flavors and adding delightful textural contrast.
• Complement with Crisp Sauvignon Blanc: Select a chilled, light-bodied white wine with herbal notes that will cut through the soup's richness and enhance its vegetable freshness.
• Match with Sharp Cheddar Grilled Cheese: Create a side of grilled cheese using aged cheddar to provide a salty, melty companion that elevates the cabbage soup's creamy profile.
• Serve alongside Pickled Red Onions: Sprinkle tangy, bright pickled red onions on top to introduce a zesty, acidic element that balances the soup's smooth and hearty character.

Storing Creamy Cabbage Soup The Right Way

• Transfer leftover soup to an airtight container, seal tightly, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is clean and cooled to room temperature before refrigerating.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving slight space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2-3 months, labeling with the date for easy tracking.
• Place soup in a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly, until thoroughly warmed.
• Pour soup into a saucepan, heat over medium-low temperature.

Creamy Cabbage Soup Questions Answered

• Can I make this cabbage soup vegetarian?

Yes, simply replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit cream or use plant-based alternatives like coconut cream.

• Is cabbage soup nutritionally beneficial?

Absolutely! Cabbage is low in calories, high in vitamins K and C, and provides excellent fiber and antioxidants for overall health.

• How can I boost protein in this soup?

Add cooked chicken, ground beef, white beans, or tofu to increase protein content and make the soup more filling.

• Can I freeze this cabbage soup?

Yes, you can freeze it without the cream. Add cream after thawing and reheating to maintain the best texture and flavor.

Creamy Cabbage Soup Recipe

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4.5 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 48-53 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comforting Creamy Cabbage Soup brings hearty warmth to winter dinner tables with its silky texture and rich flavors. Polish culinary traditions shine through this simple yet satisfying recipe, inviting you to savor each spoonful of pure homestyle goodness.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables:

• 1 head cabbage
• 2 medium onions
• 3 carrots
• 2 celery stalks
• 2 garlic cloves

Protein and Dairy:

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons butter

Seasonings and Extras:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

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Instructions

1. Prepare all vegetables by thoroughly washing and chopping cabbage, onions, carrots, and celery into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.
2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then sauté onions and garlic until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
3. Add chopped carrots and celery to the pot, stirring continuously and cooking for an additional 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
4. Incorporate chopped cabbage into the vegetable mixture, stirring to combine and allowing it to wilt and release moisture for about 7-8 minutes.
5. Pour chicken or vegetable broth into the pot, add bay leaf, salt, and black pepper, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
6. Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for 20-25 minutes, allowing vegetables to become tender and flavors to meld together.
7. Remove bay leaf, then stir in heavy cream and butter, creating a rich and velvety consistency.
8. Allow soup to simmer for an additional 3-4 minutes after adding cream, ensuring it is heated through but not boiling.
9. Finish the soup by stirring in sour cream and garnishing with freshly chopped parsley just before serving.
10. Ladle into warm bowls and serve immediately for optimal flavor and temperature.

Notes

• Chopping vegetables uniformly ensures even cooking and prevents some pieces from being undercooked or overcooked.
• Sautéing onions and garlic slowly develops a deeper, richer flavor base for the soup.
• For a lighter version, replace heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk to reduce calories and fat content.
• Vegetarian option works perfectly by swapping chicken broth with vegetable broth and adding extra herbs like thyme or rosemary for depth.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 38-43 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 40mg