Easy Sweet & Sour Cabbage Soup
A comforting and flavorful cabbage soup made with tender green cabbage, carrots, crushed tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar—perfectly balanced between sweet and tangy.
8 Servings
Ingredients
- 2 tbs olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbs tomato paste
- 1 tbs sweet paprika
- 1 medium head green cabbage about 2 lbs, cored and thinly sliced
- 3 medium carrots peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces
- 1 bay leaf
- 8 c low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- ¼ c apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbs brown sugar
- 2 tbs lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ c chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Sauté the aromatics
- In a large, heavy-bottomed pot (4–5 quarts), heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, and paprika. Cook for another minute, allowing the tomato paste to darken slightly and develop depth of flavor.
Combine and simmer
- Add the cabbage, carrots, and bay leaf to the pot. Pour in the vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Stir gently to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook until the cabbage becomes tender and the flavors are well blended, approximately 25–30 minutes.
Add the finishing touches
- Once the vegetables are fully cooked, stir in the lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, adjust the flavor balance by adding a touch more sugar for sweetness or vinegar for tanginess.
Serve and garnish
- Remove the bay leaf before serving. Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm. For a complete meal, accompany it with crusty bread or a simple green salad.
Notes
This Easy Sweet & Sour Cabbage Soup is naturally gluten-free when made with certified gluten-free vegetable broth. Always check the labels of tomato paste and crushed tomatoes, as some brands may contain gluten additives or cross-contamination. Serve with gluten-free bread for a completely gluten-free meal.