If you have a craving for something cozy, nourishing, and incredibly straightforward, this Simple Cabbage Soup (5 Ingredients) Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s the kind of dish that feels warm like a hug on a chilly day, yet bright and fresh thanks to the cabbage’s natural sweetness. With just five main ingredients, this soup showcases how simple pantry staples can come together to create a bowl of comfort that’s both wholesome and satisfying. Whether you’re a kitchen novice or someone who loves easy, fuss-free meals, this soup proves that deliciousness doesn’t have to be complicated.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for this Simple Cabbage Soup (5 Ingredients) Recipe is delightfully easy, and each component plays an essential role in layering flavor and texture throughout the soup. From the silky butter to the hearty cabbage, every item enhances the final result in its own special way.
- 2 tablespoons salted butter: This enriches the soup with a creamy base and helps soften the onions without browning.
- 1 medium onion (chopped): Adds a gentle sweetness and aromatic foundation to the broth.
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour: Acts as a subtle thickening agent to give the soup body; gluten-free flour works perfectly too.
- 1 medium head green cabbage (cored and roughly chopped): The star ingredient, providing bulk, texture, and a fresh, mild flavor that defines this soup.
- 8 cups water: The liquid base that brings everything together and creates a light, comforting broth.
- 3 tablespoons Better Than Bouillon (Chicken or Vegetable): Packs an umami punch, whether you prefer classic chicken or a vegan vegetable option.
- Kosher salt: For seasoning and enhancing all the natural flavors in the pot.
- Black pepper: Adds just the right touch of warmth and depth.
How to Make Simple Cabbage Soup (5 Ingredients) Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Onion in Butter
Start by melting the butter in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add the chopped onion and stir gently as it cooks, about 5 minutes, until it’s soft and translucent but has not browned. This gentle cooking allows the onion’s sweetness to develop, setting a lovely base for your soup.
Step 2: Incorporate the Flour
Sprinkle the flour over the softened onions and stir well for about 2 minutes. This step cooks out the raw flour taste and starts to thicken the simmering soup later on, giving it a slightly creamy texture without heavy cream.
Step 3: Add Water, Bouillon, and Cabbage
Pour in the 8 cups of water and stir in the Better Than Bouillon paste until fully dissolved. Toss in the roughly chopped cabbage, then bring the whole pot to a gentle boil over medium heat. Once boiling, cover and reduce the heat to medium-low to let the soup simmer, allowing the cabbage to tenderize beautifully over about 20 minutes.
Step 4: Season and Adjust
After the cabbage is tender and the flavors have melded, taste your soup and adjust it with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to suit your palate. This final step ensures your soup hits just the right balance of flavor.
How to Serve Simple Cabbage Soup (5 Ingredients) Recipe
Garnishes
Though the soup is delicious on its own, consider adding a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or a few twists of black pepper on top for added aroma and a pop of color. A drizzle of high-quality olive oil can also elevate the richness further.
Side Dishes
This soup pairs beautifully with a crusty slice of bread or warm garlic toast to soak up every last drop. A fresh green salad on the side also complements the lightness of the cabbage, making for a balanced, satisfying meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion or just to add some fun, serve the soup in mini bread bowls or garnish each bowl with crispy fried onions or a dollop of sour cream or vegan yogurt. These tweaks bring texture contrasts and extra layers of flavor to your Simple Cabbage Soup (5 Ingredients) Recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store any leftovers of this Simple Cabbage Soup (5 Ingredients) Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen with time, making it even more delicious the next day.
Freezing
This soup freezes wonderfully. Simply transfer cooled soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some headspace for expansion. It can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing its fresh taste and texture.
Reheating
To reheat, thaw frozen soup overnight in the fridge or warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat until hot, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or broth if it feels too thick after storage to bring it back to the perfect consistency.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cabbage for this soup?
Absolutely! While green cabbage is classic and mild, you can substitute with Savoy or Napa cabbage for a slightly different texture and flavor. Just adjust cooking time as Napa cabbage tends to cook faster.
Is it possible to make this soup completely vegan?
Yes, simply swap the salted butter for a plant-based alternative and use vegetable Better Than Bouillon to keep it vegan and delicious.
Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
For sure! Carrots, celery, or potatoes can add more heartiness, but keep in mind this will stretch beyond the “5 ingredients” scope. Adding too many extras will change the simple beauty of the original recipe.
How thick is this soup supposed to be?
This Simple Cabbage Soup (5 Ingredients) Recipe has a light to medium broth thickness thanks to the flour, but it’s not cream-heavy. If you prefer a thinner soup, add more water or broth during cooking or when reheating.
What can I do if my soup tastes bland?
Sometimes soups need a little boost—try adding a bit more bouillon paste, salt, or a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper. A dash of vinegar or lemon juice can brighten the flavors up as well.
Final Thoughts
This Simple Cabbage Soup (5 Ingredients) Recipe proves that cooking doesn’t need to be complicated to be satisfying. With a handful of staples and a little time, you’ll have a nourishing, flavorful soup that’s deliciously comforting and easy enough to make any day of the week. Give it a try and enjoy the warmth and wholesomeness in every spoonful.
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Simple Cabbage Soup (5 Ingredients) Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Simple Cabbage Soup recipe is a comforting, easy-to-make meal requiring just five main ingredients. It features tender green cabbage simmered in a flavorful broth made from butter, onion, and bouillon, thickened slightly with flour. Ready in under an hour, this soup is perfect for a light yet satisfying dish suitable for any day of the week.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons salted butter (or dairy-free butter to make it vegan)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 1 medium head green cabbage, cored and roughly chopped
- 8 cups water
- 3 tablespoons Better Than Bouillon (Chicken or Vegetable to make it vegan)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté the onion: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft but not browned, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add and cook the flour: Stir in the flour and continue cooking for about 2 minutes. This step helps cook out the raw flour flavor and slightly thickens the soup later on.
- Combine main ingredients and simmer: Pour in the water and add the Better Than Bouillon. Stir to dissolve the bouillon fully. Add the chopped cabbage, increase the heat to medium, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer gently until the cabbage and other vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
- Season and adjust: Taste the soup and adjust with kosher salt and black pepper as needed before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative to make this recipe vegan.
- Use vegetable bouillon to keep the soup vegan or chicken bouillon for a non-vegan version.
- Serve with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
- The soup can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Thicken the soup more by adding an extra tablespoon of flour if a thicker consistency is preferred.
