Tomato Cabbage Soup (Detox Soup)

What’s for dinner? Well for me it will be detox soup. I have been holding on to water and waste again. I am so sick of my body. But, I will not give up and I will do all I can to not get the C-Bag (colostomy bag). So here is a wonderful Tomato Cabbage Soup that is vegan , easy to make and low in calories. It’s a delicious, light & healthy lunch that is inspired by the detox cabbage soup diet.

Tomato cabbage soup is inspired by the popular cabbage soup diet. The essence of the diet was eating cabbage soup 2-3 times a day along with a lot of other fruits and vegetables and an allotted list of foods added each day, like brown rice and chicken. While I’m not a fan of the diet, the soup itself is such a flavorful healthy recipe that I would definitely recommend!

The tomato cabbage soup is low in protein, low in complex carbs and low in fats, so it may leave you craving something more satisfying. But I think it works wonderfully as a soup for lunch or an appetizer at dinner when you want something light or want to detox after a weekend of heavy eating. But you need to make sure to get key nutrients in the other foods you eat throughout the day.

How to make cabbage soup

1. Start by cooking the aromatics: I include the usual onions, celery and carrots.
2. Sauté them until they’re fragrant and fork tender but not too soft.
3. Add in the seasoning you’re using. I keep it simple with salt, pepper, garlic and oregano.
4. Then add the tomatoes. I use a combination of diced canned tomatoes and tomato paste. But you can also use fresh tomatoes and tomato sauce or any other variation to get a tomato broth.
5. Add vegetable broth, chicken broth or beef broth and bring to a boil.
6. Finally add the cabbage and cook until the cabbage wilts, about 20 minutes.

When it’s done cooking, the cabbage will soften and the broth will thicken. The pot can easily feed 6 people and each serving is only about 130 calories. So it makes for a delicious appetizer or soup served with grilled cheese or any other sandwich or soup. For me I have to stick to just the soup! But that is ok, I love this soup!

Tips for making tomato cabbage soup

1. Use water instead of broth. If you want to lower the sodium in the recipe or don’t have any broth on hand, you can easily make your own vegetable broth or use water. Just be sure to season it properly.
2. Set the soup to simmer, not boil. You’re looking for a couple bubbles to rise to the surface, instead of big bubbles. As soon as the liquid comes to a boil, turn the heat to low. This will ensure that the vegetables are not overcooked an dry.
3. Season every layer. Whenever you’re making soup, it’s important to season every layer you add to ensure the best flavor. While I include include one part of the instructions for seasoning (as not to sound redundant), it really helps flavor the soup if you season everytime you add new ingredients to the pot.
4. Make it a complete meal by adding protein to it. You can add plant-based protein like quinoa or you can add shredded chicken or ground turkey to make it more satiating.

Frequently asked questions

Can you freeze cabbage soup?

Yes, this soup is very freezer friendly, especially since it doesn’t include any grains. To freeze, make sure to cool it completely. Then transfer it to single serving portions and store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

How do you cut cabbage for soup?

It’s important to make sure to cut the cabbage into bite sized pieces. Keep in mind though that the cabbage will shrink and wilt. My favorite way to cut it for soup is to shred it using a peeler. But you can also use a knife and run through it a few times.