Hearty Ina Garten Cabbage Soup Recipe

Warming Ina Garten Cabbage Soup Recipe

Cabbage soup emerges as a culinary marvel, turning ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary feast for the senses.

Hearty and wholesome, this recipe weaves comfort into every delectable spoonful.

Vibrant vegetables dance with aromatic herbs, crafting a symphony of flavors that dazzle taste buds.

Nutritional experts praise cabbage’s remarkable health-boosting properties, transforming this simple dish into a wellness powerhouse.

Each steaming bowl promises a journey through rustic, soul-warming comfort that transcends ordinary meal experiences.

Fresh seasonal produce infuses the soup with unexpected depth and character, making it a versatile dinner solution.

You’ll fall in love with this effortless, nutrient-packed culinary creation that feels like a warm embrace on a chilly evening.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 85 kcal

Servings: 5

All You Need for Ina’s Cabbage Soup

For Cooking Foundation:
  • Olive Oil: Select a high-quality, cold-pressed extra virgin oil for robust flavor depth.
  • Large Heavy-Bottomed Pot: Ensure even heat distribution for perfect vegetable caramelization.
For Vegetable Medley:
  • Mushrooms, Onions: Choose fresh, firm mushrooms with no blemishes and sweet yellow onions for maximum flavor.
  • Celery, Carrots, Green Peppers: Pick crisp, bright-colored vegetables with no soft spots or wilting.
  • Garlic: Select firm, plump cloves with tight, unbroken skin for intense aroma.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Use freshly ground spices for more vibrant taste profile.
  • Soy Sauce: Opt for low-sodium version to control overall salt content.
  • Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Select high-quality, pure spice blends without additives.
  • Cabbage: Choose dense, compact head with fresh green or white leaves.
  • Chicken Broth: Pick low-sodium, organic option for cleaner taste.
  • Crushed Tomatoes: Select San Marzano variety for rich, sweet undertone.
  • Water: Use filtered water for pure, clean flavor base.

Tools and Utensils for Ina Garten’s Hearty Soup

  • Large Heavy-Bottomed Pot: Sturdy cooking vessel with thick base for even heat distribution and preventing burning.
  • Chef's Knife: Sharp kitchen knife for precise chopping of vegetables and herbs.
  • Cutting Board: Wooden or plastic surface for safe and clean ingredient preparation.
  • Wooden Spoon: Long-handled utensil perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients.
  • Measuring Spoons: Set of spoons to accurately measure seasonings and spices.
  • Grater: Tool for shredding carrots and creating fine vegetable textures.
  • Measuring Cup: Clear container for precise liquid measurements.
  • Ladle: Deep spoon for serving hot soup with ease.

Cooking Instructions for Ina Garten’s Cabbage Soup

Cooking Instructions for Ina Garten’s Cabbage Soup
  • Fire Up the Cooking Pot

Drizzle olive oil into a large pot and heat until it dances and releases a warm, inviting aroma.

  • Awaken the Mushroom Flavor

Slide sliced mushrooms into the sizzling oil, letting them transform into golden nuggets of deliciousness while stirring occasionally.

  • Caramelize Onion Sweetness

Tumble chopped onions into the pot, coaxing them to soften and develop a rich, caramel-like color through gentle stirring.

  • Build Vegetable Foundation

Toss in a medley of grated celery, shredded carrots, chopped green peppers, and minced garlic. Let them mingle and soften, creating a vibrant base of flavors and textures.

  • Spark the Seasoning Magic

Shower the vegetables with a symphony of seasonings – kosher salt, black pepper, soy sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir with enthusiasm to distribute the flavor bombs evenly.

  • Welcome Cabbage to the Party

Fold shredded cabbage into the pot, watching it slowly wilt and embrace the other ingredients with its tender green ribbons.

  • Create Liquid Harmony

Pour in chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, and water, stirring to create a harmonious blend that promises comfort and warmth.

  • Simmer and Develop Depth

Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then lower the heat. Let it simmer peacefully for 30-45 minutes, allowing flavors to dance and meld into a soul-warming experience.

  • Taste and Perfect

Sample the soup, adjusting seasonings to create a perfect balance that sings with flavor. Serve piping hot and enjoy the culinary journey.

Pro Soup Tips from Ina’s Kitchen

Pro Soup Tips from Ina’s Kitchen

Add cooked ground turkey, shredded chicken, or diced beef for a heartier meal that keeps you full longer.

Sprinkle red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to give the soup a warming kick that tantalizes your taste buds.

Experiment with additional vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or kale to increase nutritional value and create exciting flavor combinations.

Swap chicken broth for vegetable broth to make the recipe completely vegetarian, or use gluten-free soy sauce for those with gluten sensitivities.

How to Serve Cabbage Soup Ina-Style

  • Pair with Crusty Bread Delight: Slice a warm, rustic baguette or sourdough bread to soak up the rich, flavorful broth and add a satisfying crunch to each spoonful.
  • Sprinkle Fresh Herb Excitement: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, chives, or dill just before serving to brighten the soup's deep, earthy flavors and add a pop of color.
  • Top with Protein Power: Add a scoop of cooked shredded chicken, crispy bacon bits, or crumbled feta cheese to transform this vegetable soup into a more substantial meal that keeps you full and satisfied.

Best Storage Methods for Leftover Cabbage Soup

  • Meal Planning & Storage Advice
  • Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare large quantities of this hearty soup and divide into meal-sized portions for quick, nutritious weekday lunches or dinners.
  • Refrigerator Revival: Store cooled soup in airtight containers and keep refrigerated for up to 4-5 days, ensuring maximum flavor preservation and food safety.
  • Freezer-Friendly Magic: Freeze soup portions in sealed containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months, creating convenient grab-and-heat meals during busy weeks.
  • Reheating Perfection: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator, then gently warm in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to maintain texture and prevent scorching.
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Hearty Ina Garten Cabbage Soup Recipe

Hearty Ina Garten Cabbage Soup Recipe


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4.9 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Ina Garten’s cabbage soup combines hearty vegetables with rich, comforting flavors from classic French culinary traditions. Warm bowls of this simple yet elegant recipe welcome diners to savor each nourishing spoonful with pure satisfaction.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (960 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 28-oz (794 g) can crushed tomatoes
  • ½ head green cabbage, shredded
  • 2 large yellow or white onions, chopped
  • 8 oz (226 g) sliced button mushrooms
  • 3 carrots, grated
  • 2 green peppers, stemmed, seeded and grated
  • 1 bunch celery, grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, grated
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Sauté Foundations: Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat, creating a shimmering surface for optimal flavor development.
  2. Mushroom Transformation: Add sliced mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes, coaxing out their golden-brown complexity and releasing deep, earthy notes.
  3. Aromatic Layering: Introduce onions, celery, carrots, green peppers, and garlic, stirring for 10 minutes to build a robust flavor base with caramelized undertones and slightly charred vegetable edges.
  4. Seasoning Fusion: Sprinkle kosher salt, black pepper, soy sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder, thoroughly integrating these elements to create a harmonious seasoning profile.
  5. Cabbage Integration: Fold in shredded cabbage, allowing it to soften and meld with the vegetable medley while releasing its natural sweetness.
  6. Liquid Ensemble: Pour chicken broth and crushed tomatoes, bringing the mixture to a vigorous boil before reducing heat to a gentle simmer for 35-40 minutes, enabling flavors to marry and vegetables to reach perfect tenderness.
  7. Final Refinement: Taste and recalibrate seasonings, ensuring a balanced and deeply satisfying soup that captures the essence of comfort and complexity.

Notes

  • Optimize Vegetable Caramelization: Sauté vegetables at medium-high heat to develop deep, rich flavors and achieve golden-brown edges that enhance the soup’s overall taste profile.
  • Select Quality Cabbage: Choose fresh, crisp cabbage with tight, green leaves to ensure tender texture and maximize nutritional value during the cooking process.
  • Manage Liquid Consistency: Monitor broth levels during simmering to prevent excessive reduction and maintain the desired soup thickness, adding water if needed.
  • Balance Seasoning Carefully: Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and additional spices gradually to create a harmonious flavor without overwhelming the natural vegetable essence.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 85
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 320 mg
  • Fat: 4 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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