When you’re craving a bowl of warmth, comfort, and hearty goodness, this Cabbage Soup Recipe is the perfect answer! It’s a flavorful, vegetable-packed soup featuring tender cabbage, savory ground beef, and aromatic vegetables, all simmered in a rich tomato base. The secret ingredient of Lipton Onion Soup Mix adds a wonderful depth of flavor with minimal effort, making this soup incredibly satisfying and surprisingly easy to prepare. It’s a comforting classic that’s perfect for a light meal, a healthy dinner, or a hearty lunch.

Why I Love This Recipe

This Cabbage Soup recipe is a staple in my kitchen for its simplicity and incredible flavor payoff. What I love most is how it takes humble ingredients and transforms them into a deeply satisfying and nourishing meal. The cabbage cooks down beautifully, becoming wonderfully tender, and the ground beef adds a hearty protein boost, making it a complete meal in a bowl.

The use of Lipton Onion Soup Mix is a brilliant hack; it infuses the soup with complex onion and savory notes without requiring a long list of individual spices. It’s a truly “dump and go” style recipe once the beef is browned, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you need a comforting meal quickly. It’s light yet filling, packed with vegetables, and adaptable to your taste, making it a fantastic healthy option that doesn’t compromise on flavor.

---

Ingredients:

• 1 large cabbage, chopped (about 8-10 cups)
• 2 small onions, diced
• 2 cans (14.5 oz each) stewed tomatoes, undrained
• 1 pouch (2 oz / 2 envelopes) Lipton Onion Soup Mix
• 1 large celery stalk, chopped finely
• 1-2 pounds ground beef (lean or preferred fat content)
• Your favorite spices (suggestions: black pepper, garlic powder, dried thyme)

Swaps and Notes

• Cabbage: Green cabbage is traditional. You can use half green and half red cabbage for more color. Chop it into manageable pieces. For more cabbage-focused dishes, see my Fried Cabbage with Bacon, Onion, and Garlic or Cajun Cabbage Jambalaya.
• Onions & Celery: These are essential aromatics for soup. Chop them finely so they meld into the broth.
• Stewed Tomatoes: Undrained stewed tomatoes provide both liquid and chunky tomato goodness. Diced tomatoes can be used for a firmer texture.
• Lipton Onion Soup Mix: This is a key flavor enhancer. Do not omit it.
• Ground Beef: Lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7) is great for reducing grease, but 80/20 ground beef will have more flavor. You can substitute with ground turkey for a lighter version.
• Spices: The recipe suggests adding your favorite spices. Black pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme are excellent choices. A pinch of paprika or a bay leaf could also be nice. The Lipton mix itself is well-seasoned, so add other spices to your preference.
• Broth (Optional): While the recipe uses water and bouillon from the soup mix, you could use beef broth instead of water for an even richer base.

---

Instructions:

This comforting cabbage soup comes together easily, with quick stovetop prep.

1. Start Vegetables Simmering: Fill a large stockpot or Dutch oven halfway with water (about 6-8 cups) and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the chopped cabbage, diced onions, and finely chopped celery to the boiling water. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and let the vegetables cook while you prepare the beef.
2. Cook Ground Beef: In a separate large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it apart with a spoon as it browns, until it is fully cooked through and no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat from the skillet.
3. Season Beef: Once the beef is browned and drained, stir in your favorite spices (such as black pepper, garlic powder, etc.) along with the entire pouch of Lipton Onion Soup Mix into the beef. Cook and stir for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Combine & Simmer: Add the seasoned ground beef and the 2 cans of undrained stewed tomatoes to the simmering vegetables in the stockpot. Stir everything together well.
5. Continue Simmering & Adjust Seasoning: Continue to simmer the mixture for a few more minutes (about 10-15 minutes) until the cabbage reaches your desired tenderness. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will meld. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or other spices if desired.
6. Serve: Ladle the hot Cabbage Soup into bowls and serve immediately.

---

Pro Tip:

For maximum flavor, use a hearty beef broth instead of plain water in the pot. This adds another layer of rich, savory depth to the soup. Also, don’t forget to adjust seasonings at the very end—the Lipton Onion Soup Mix is salty, so taste before adding more salt. You want the cabbage to be tender but not mushy, so keep an eye on it during the final simmer.

---

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

This Cabbage Soup is a complete and satisfying meal on its own, but can be complemented by simple additions.

• Crusty Bread: A side of warm, crusty bread or dinner rolls is perfect for soaking up the flavorful broth.
• Cornbread: A slice of warm cornbread is a classic Southern accompaniment.
• Side Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette would provide a fresh contrast.
• Other Hearty Soups: If you’re a fan of comforting and flavorful soups, consider this alongside a rich bowl of This Cajun Chicken Sausage Gumbo Is My Favorite Bowl of Southern Comfort for a robust feast.
• Main Course Accompaniments: It can serve as a lighter main dish or a hearty appetizer before a main course like Best Ever Beef Stew or Pot Roast & Gravy Recipe.

---

Storage and Leftover Tips

This Cabbage Soup makes fantastic leftovers, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors deepen!

• Storage: Store any leftover Cabbage Soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating: Gently reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You can also microwave individual portions. Add a splash of water or broth if it has thickened too much.
• Freezing: This soup freezes well. Once completely cooled, transfer to freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving a little headspace. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

---

More Recipes You Will Love

If you loved the comforting, hearty, and easy nature of this soup, you’ll definitely want to explore some of these other fantastic recipes:

• For another comforting and hearty meal, check out my This Tomato Skillet with Okra and Sausage Is My Favorite Quick Dinner Packed with Southern Flavor.
• If you’re a fan of flavorful one-pot meals with cabbage, don’t miss Cajun Cabbage Jambalaya.
• For a simple yet satisfying vegetable side, consider Fried Cabbage with Bacon, Onion, and Garlic.
• And for other classic comfort food recipes, my Best Ever Beef Stew or Pot Roast & Gravy Recipe are always great choices.

---

Final Thoughts

This Cabbage Soup Recipe is a true gem in the world of comforting, wholesome meals. It’s incredibly flavorful, packed with healthy vegetables, and surprisingly easy to make, proving that hearty goodness doesn’t need to be complicated. Dive into a bowl of this delicious soup, and let its warmth and savory flavors embrace you!

What are your favorite “secret ingredients” for adding depth to a simple soup? Share your tips in the comments below! And don’t forget to follow Chef Maniac for more delicious and heartwarming recipes that bring joy to your kitchen.