The Original Cabbage Soup Diet Recipe

The Original Cabbage Soup Diet Recipe is a simple soup recipe that has been around for many years. It is commonly associated with a short-term 7-day meal plan and is made with a variety of vegetables in a light broth.

This cabbage soup is easy to prepare and makes a generous pot that can be enjoyed throughout the week. The recipe is straightforward, making it a convenient option for anyone looking for a simple vegetable-based soup to add to their meal plan.

1. Original Cabbage Soup Diet Recipe (Yield: 8 Servings)

Ingredients

• 8 cups vegetable broth
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups cabbage, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 3 carrots, cut into ½-inch pieces
• 3 ribs celery, cut into ½-inch pieces
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• 28 ounces diced tomatoes, undrained

Instructions

Start by preparing all of the vegetables. Chop the yellow onion, mince the garlic, cut the cabbage into 1-inch chunks, and cut the carrots and celery into approximately ½-inch pieces. Preparing everything before you begin cooking makes it easier to add the ingredients at the right time.

Place a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften. You can add a small splash of the vegetable broth if the onion starts to stick.

Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds. Stir constantly so the garlic does not burn. Once it becomes fragrant, add the cabbage, carrots, and celery to the pot.

Pour in the vegetable broth and add the undrained diced tomatoes. Stir everything together carefully. The vegetables may seem to fill the pot at first, but they will begin to soften and settle as the soup cooks.

Add the kosher salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and dried basil. Stir again so the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the broth.

Increase the heat and bring the soup to a gentle boil. Once the liquid begins boiling, reduce the heat to low or medium-low. Cover the pot partially with a lid and allow the soup to simmer for about 25 to 30 minutes.

Stir the soup occasionally as it cooks. Check the carrots, celery, and cabbage toward the end of the cooking time. They should be tender but should still have enough structure to hold their shape.

If you prefer softer vegetables, continue simmering for another 5 to 10 minutes. Keep the heat low and avoid a rapid boil because prolonged high heat can cause some vegetables to become overly soft.

Taste the broth once the vegetables are cooked. Add a little more salt or black pepper if needed. The amount of seasoning required can vary depending on the vegetable broth and tomatoes you use.

Remove the pot from the heat and allow the soup to rest for a few minutes before serving. Ladle the cabbage soup into bowls and serve it warm. If you are preparing the soup for later meals, allow it to cool before transferring it into airtight containers.

2. Tips for Perfect Cabbage Soup Diet

Cut the vegetables into similar-sized pieces whenever possible. This helps them cook more evenly and gives the finished soup a better texture.

Choose a cabbage that feels firm and looks fresh. Remove any damaged outer leaves before cutting it into chunks. Fresh cabbage will hold its texture better during cooking.

Do not cook the garlic for too long. Garlic only needs a short time to become fragrant, and prolonged cooking over direct heat can cause it to burn.

Use a large pot. Cabbage takes up quite a bit of space when raw, and a large soup pot makes it easier to stir the ingredients without spilling broth.

Keep the soup at a gentle simmer after bringing it to a boil. This allows the vegetables to cook steadily without becoming mushy too quickly.

Taste before adding more salt. Vegetable broth and canned tomatoes can contain different amounts of sodium, so the soup may need less additional salt than expected.

For a stronger vegetable flavor, let the soup simmer toward the longer end of the suggested cooking time. However, avoid cooking it for so long that all of the vegetables lose their texture.

If the soup becomes too thick after refrigeration, add a little vegetable broth or water when reheating. Stir gently until the soup reaches your preferred consistency.

Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator and use them within a few days. The soup can also be frozen in individual portions for convenient future meals.

3. Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use red cabbage instead of green cabbage?

Yes, red cabbage can be used, although it will change the appearance of the soup. It may also give the broth a slightly different color as it cooks. Green cabbage is the more traditional choice for this style of soup.

Can I make this soup without tomatoes?

Yes, but tomatoes contribute acidity, color, and body to the broth. If you leave them out, the finished soup will have a lighter and less tomato-based character.

Can I add other vegetables to cabbage soup?

Yes. Vegetables such as zucchini, spinach, green beans, or bell peppers can be added. Keep in mind that softer vegetables generally need less cooking time than cabbage, carrots, and celery.

How should I store leftover cabbage soup?

Allow the soup to cool before placing it in airtight containers. Refrigerate it promptly and reheat only the portion you plan to eat. Individual containers can make leftovers easier to manage throughout the week.

Can I freeze cabbage soup?

Yes. Cabbage soup freezes well for convenient future meals. Divide the cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Thaw it in the refrigerator and reheat it gently until hot.

4. 7 Day Cabbage Soup Diet for Weight Loss

The traditional cabbage soup diet is generally presented as a short-term 7-day eating plan. The basic idea is to eat cabbage soup along with different foods assigned to each day. However, it is important to understand that this type of diet is restrictive and should not be viewed as a long-term eating pattern.

A typical version of the plan looks like this:

Day 1: Cabbage soup along with fruit. Water, unsweetened tea, or black coffee are commonly included as beverage choices. Bananas are often excluded on this first day.

Day 2: Cabbage soup with vegetables. Non-starchy vegetables are generally emphasized, while potatoes are sometimes included as part of the day’s meals.

Day 3: Cabbage soup with fruits and vegetables. The traditional plan combines the foods from the first two days.

Day 4: Cabbage soup with bananas and milk or another designated dairy option. The traditional plan uses this day to include more carbohydrate and protein-containing foods.

Day 5: Cabbage soup with meat and tomatoes. The meat is typically lean, and the traditional plan focuses on keeping portions moderate.

Day 6: Cabbage soup with meat and vegetables. The plan commonly allows more vegetables on this day while continuing to include a protein source.

Day 7: Cabbage soup with brown rice, vegetables, and unsweetened fruit juice. This final day provides a broader combination of foods than some of the earlier days.

The cabbage soup itself can be eaten throughout the week according to the traditional plan. Portion sizes and the exact foods allowed can vary between versions of the diet.

Although people may see a quick change in body weight during a restrictive seven-day plan, short-term weight changes can include shifts in water and stored carbohydrates rather than only body fat. A very restrictive diet can also make it difficult to get enough protein, healthy fats, and other important nutrients.

For that reason, the cabbage soup diet is better understood as a short-term diet trend rather than a complete long-term nutrition plan. Anyone considering a restrictive diet, particularly someone with a medical condition, taking medication, pregnant, or breastfeeding, should speak with a qualified healthcare professional before making significant dietary changes.

The soup itself can still be a useful part of a balanced diet. You can enjoy it alongside a variety of protein sources, whole grains, healthy fats, and other foods to create meals that provide a wider range of nutrients.

5. Nutrition Information

The following nutrition information is an approximate estimate for one serving based on eight servings. Actual values can vary depending on the specific vegetable broth, canned tomatoes, and vegetables used.

The Original Cabbage Soup Diet Recipe is an uncomplicated vegetable soup that can be prepared in a large batch and enjoyed over several meals. Its straightforward preparation makes it easy to include in a weekly meal plan.

The traditional seven-day diet associated with this soup is intended as a short-term approach rather than a complete long-term way of eating. The soup itself can still be enjoyed as part of a varied and balanced diet, giving you a simple homemade option to add to your regular meals.

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