Sometimes, after a stretch of big meals or when life just feels a little too *much*, what you really need is a culinary reset. You look into the pantry and think, “Let’s go back to basics.” That’s exactly why I lean so heavily on my simple, honest food. This Cabbage Detox Soup is my immediate answer when I crave lightness and comfort all at once. It’s deeply soothing, full of good vegetables, and reminds me that the most healing meals are often the simplest ones we can make at home.
Why This Cabbage Detox Soup is a Family Favorite (Health Benefits)
When I need to reset my system, especially after holidays or a busy week eating out, this recipe is my go-to. It fits perfectly into a natural detox diet plan because it relies only on whole, light ingredients. My philosophy, which I try to share through all my family cooking, is that we should eat food that nourishes us without weighing us down. This Cabbage Detox Soup does exactly that.
- It’s incredibly satisfying for how few ingredients it takes.
- It fills you up quickly but leaves you feeling energized, not sluggish.
- We often make a big batch on Sunday to ensure we have a ready-made light meal later in the week when things get hectic.
If you are interested in exploring more recipes that support your healthy goals, check out my collection of weight loss recipes.
Lightness and Digestion Benefits of Cabbage Detox Soup
That feeling of needing something easy to digest is often our body’s way of asking for a break. Cabbage is known for being gentle, and when simmered down like this, it almost melts in your mouth. It’s just hot broth, tender vegetables, and amazing flavor. You truly feel lighter after just one bowl; it’s like giving your digestive system a soft, warm hug!
Achieving Weight Loss With Cabbage Soup
This soup is naturally low in calories—we’re talking around 120 calories per big bowl! That’s fantastic for anyone looking to manage their intake. Because we load it up with fiber from the carrots, celery, and cabbage, it gives you great volume. This helps you feel full for longer, which is absolutely key to success when you are focusing on weight loss with cabbage soup.
Gathering Ingredients for Your Cabbage Detox Soup
This is where the real simplicity shines through! Trust me, you don’t need a fancy grocery run for this soup. We are relying on basic, humble pantry and fridge staples that are easy on the wallet. Remember how I said my recipes are for busy families? This cabbage detox soup definitely fits the bill for a quick dinner.
You’ll need a good head of green cabbage—I want you to shred most of it, but save one wedge for later; we will talk about that later! We’re also grabbing carrots and celery that need to be diced, and just a couple of cloves of garlic that need mincing. The base is simple chicken broth and canned diced tomatoes. That’s it! It’s so straightforward you might even realize you have everything you need hiding in your crisper drawer right now.
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Cabbage Detox Soup
Don’t let the simplicity fool you; following these steps makes sure this Cabbage Detox Soup has the best flavor possible. We’re not just dumping things in a pot, we are building flavor from the ground up. It all starts with getting your veggies ready for their quick bath in oil before they meet the broth. If you love making comforting soups, this foundation of flavor is key!
Preparing the Vegetables for Cabbage Detox Soup
First up, we tackle that cabbage. Cut out the hard core—we don’t need that heavy part. Then, slice the rest of the head into long, satisfying shreds. Remember that wedge I told you to save? Keep it whole for now; it helps flavor the liquid, and you can pull it out later. Now, grab your big soup pot and heat that olive oil over medium-high heat. Toss in the carrots, onion, and celery. Season these right away with salt and pepper. We want them to get tender, so let them sauté for about seven full minutes. Once they soften up nicely, add your minced garlic and cook for just two more minutes. Be careful here—garlic burns fast, and burnt garlic makes soup bitter!
Simmering and Finishing the Cabbage Detox Soup
Time to build the broth! Pour in your chicken broth and then add the canned diced tomatoes. I like to toss in the cumin and a little dash of cayenne if I’m feeling spicy—don’t skip the seasonings, they make the difference! Now, add all that shredded cabbage you prepped. Bring the whole pot up to a heavy simmer, then dial that heat way back down to low. We want a gentle bubble, not a rolling boil, for 30 to 45 minutes. This slow time is essential for the veggies to get perfectly soft. The very last thing you do, right before serving, is stir in that fresh lemon juice. Give it a good taste test! This is your moment to add more salt or pepper until it tastes perfect to you. That’s how we guarantee trustworthiness in the kitchen, by tasting as we go!
Tips for Success When Making Cabbage Detox Soup
Soup this good deserves to be enjoyed all week long, so my number one tip for this Cabbage Detox Soup is definitely to prepare a huge batch! It holds up beautifully in the refrigerator, often tasting even better on day two when those spices have really settled in. Take it from me—you don’t want to stop at just one bowl.
Another thing I learned from making countless pots is to really pay attention to seasoning when you add the broth. Since we are using low-sodium chicken broth sometimes, the final taste depends on you. Don’t be shy with the salt and pepper at the end! If you are feeling extra bold, I sometimes swirl in a spoonful of homemade poultry seasoning for an extra earthy note. Just taste it before you serve it; that honesty ensures delicious results every single time.
Finally, remember that whole wedge of cabbage we saved? You can throw that reserved wedge into the pot while it simmers, and then pull it out before serving. It releases a lovely, deep flavor without adding too much bulk to your finished Cabbage Detox Soup bowls.
Ingredient Substitutions for Your Cabbage Detox Soup
Hey, I know sometimes we run out of things, or maybe one family member isn’t a fan of celery! That’s totally fine. This recipe is built to be incredibly flexible because it’s about simplicity. If you don’t have chicken broth on hand, please, just use water and an excellent, high-quality vegetable bouillon cube—the flavor will still be great. That keeps it vegetarian too, which is a nice bonus for some days!
If you have other veggies that need eating, toss them in during the sauté stage—zucchini or even a sweet potato work nicely in this Cabbage Detox Soup. If you need a heartier meal, some rinsed canned white beans can be added right when you put the broth in. Want some inspiration for other vegetable-heavy meals? Check out my sweet potato and lentil soup for another wonderfully grounding option!
Serving Suggestions for This Light Vegetable Soup
Because this soup is so light and focuses on clean flavors, we want toppings that complement that without weighing it down. Forget heavy cream or loads of cheese; we want texture and a little savory bite!
My favorite way to serve this is alongside some crusty, hearty bread. If you want to make it feel like an event, you can actually serve the soup right inside a hollowed-out bread bowl—it’s such a fun, family-friendly touch! You can find my tips for making the perfect bread bowl separately.
Another great addition is crispy homemade croutons! Skip the store-bought kind and make your own savory baked bread chunks seasoned with a little garlic powder and herbs. If you’re looking for inspiration on what else goes well with a simple soup, I have a post detailing what complements a great bowl of soup on the side!
Storage and Reheating Instructions for Cabbage Detox Soup
This Cabbage Detox Soup is a friend to hurried weeknights because it stores so well. As I mentioned, I always make a double batch! You can keep this soup tightly covered in your refrigerator for up to five days. It holds its texture beautifully, which is rare for vegetable soups.
When you’re ready for a serving, just warm it up gently on the stovetop over medium heat. I find that stirring it occasionally while it heats up really helps redistribute that lovely flavor. If you need to freeze it, make sure you leave headspace in your container, as chilled soup expands. These cozy, healthy soup recipes are perfect for batch cooking!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Detox Diet Plan With Cabbage Soup
Whenever I share this Cabbage Detox Soup recipe, folks always have questions about how to make it fit their life perfectly! I’m happy to share my thoughts on making sure this soup works wonderfully for you, whether you’re looking for the easiest option or debating additions. For more general health guidance, you can always browse my collection of diet recipes.
Can I make this Cabbage Detox Soup vegetarian?
Oh, absolutely you can! The chicken broth gives it a wonderful richness, but if you need to skip the poultry, just swap in a high-quality vegetable broth. That’s my best tip for keeping the flavor deep without needing meat stock. The vegetables really shine through, so you won’t miss the chicken flavor, I promise!
How long can I follow a Detox Diet Plan With Cabbage Soup?
This is where I always advise caution, because while this soup is wonderful and light, it’s not meant to be your entire diet long-term. Think of this soup as a lovely way to reset your system for a period—maybe three to five days—to help you feel balanced after something heavy. It is very important that you listen to your body, and if you’re planning a longer diet, please chat with your doctor or a nutritionist first!
It’s such a fantastic, simple meal, though. My family loves it as a light dinner, maybe served with a little savory baked topping.
Nutritional Estimates for This Simple Cabbage Detox Soup
Now, I know some of you are tracking macros, and while this soup is all about comfort and simplicity, it’s good to know what you are eating! These numbers are just estimates based on the ingredients list for one bowl, so keep that in mind when you make substitutions. Isn’t it amazing how much goodness you get for so few calories? You can explore more low-calorie options in my healthy recipes for weight loss section.
- Calories: Roughly 120
- Fat: About 4g
- Protein: Around 5g
- Carbohydrates: Around 18g (with 5g of that being helpful fiber!)
Share Your Experience Making This Cabbage Detox Soup
I truly hope this Cabbage Detox Soup brings you the same sense of calm and lightness it brings my family. Please take a moment after you enjoy a bowl to swing back here and leave a rating—I cherish seeing how many stars you give the recipe!
What did your family think? Did you add any extra spices? Let me know in the comments below! Sophia Reed is Family Cooking Specialist here at Sena Recipes, and I love hearing how these timeless recipes find new life in your kitchen.
- Connect with Sophia Reed for more simple family meals.
Simple Cabbage Detox Soup
- Total Time: 60 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Make this light and comforting vegetable soup using simple ingredients for a nourishing meal.
Ingredients
- 3/4 head green cabbage, shredded
- 1 white onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups carrot, diced
- 2 cups celery, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 lemon, juiced
- dash of cayenne pepper (optional)
- Kosher salt and Coarse Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Discard the core from the cabbage. Cut the cabbage into four large wedges, reserving one wedge for later use. Thinly slice the remaining cabbage into long shreds and set aside.
- Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large soup pot or Dutch oven. Add carrots, onion, and celery. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sauté until tender, about 7 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for 2 more minutes, taking care not to burn it.
- Add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, cayenne, cumin, and additional salt and pepper for flavor. Turn the heat down to medium, and add your shredded cabbage.
- When the soup reaches a heavy simmer, turn the heat down to low and let it cook at a slight simmer for 30 to 45 minutes.
- Stir in the lemon juice. Taste the soup and add more salt, pepper, or cayenne pepper if needed.
- Serve hot.
Notes
- This soup is simple, honest, and deeply soothing, perfect for a light meal.
- Prepare a large batch to keep in the refrigerator for meals throughout the week.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 45 min
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: Cabbage Detox Soup, Weight Loss Soup, Vegetable Soup, Easy Soup Recipe, Light Dinner, Homemade Soup, Detox Diet