I didn’t make soup for YEARS… not because I didn’t like it, but because I was scared. Ha ha. 5 years ago I was making. Chicken and rice soup and had a mishap with a mandolin slicer. Unite frankly I didn’t think I’d make soup again, but this recipe was so easy, so wholesome and with my love for cabbage, I had to give it a try!!

On a super rainy, chilly day, there is nothing like a deliciously flavourful, hearty and healthy bowl of cabbage soup to fuel you! The best part, if you make a large batch, you can freeze to enjoy down the road. I am all about large batches of meals that can make my life easier when I feel I need it due to a busy schedule or lack of creativity in the kitchen. Happens to all of us, doesn’t it?! I’m sure that’s why you are here!

Now, I cook this in my instant pot on the soup setting, it’s so simple and quick to make, I also like to have my daughter help put everything into the pot because if she helps with the cooking, she’ll understand the value of home cooked meals when she’s older.
****You can also 100% use the pressure cooker setting and eat it within 30-40 minutes if that’s your style as well, or the slow cooker setting to enjoy the aroma. I love that you can cut, prep and leave it for the day! The smell when you get home from work is to die for!!

To start, get out wash and cut all of those amazing vegetables. I don’t know about you, but I’m much more mindful about how I wash and prep my food these days, so I use one of two options… (either a Store bought fruit and veggie wash OR a homemade one with essential oils).

You can make this recipe and simple or chalk full of veggies as you’d like. Normally I’m a go BIG or go home kinda girl, but this time I kept it simple for my family. It did not disappoint as they both went back for seconds… and when that happens with a 4 year old, I consider it a massive mom win!! For this batch I used carrots, red onion, celery, cabbage and tomatoes. Chop them all up to your liking.. I recommend half inch chunks for texture, but cut smaller if you don’t like chunky soups.

Now start with olive oil, red onion and garlic in the large pot, sauté until cooked through. You can use whatever type of onion you prefer for this. I know most recipes call for yellow or white, for me a red onion is just my personal preference. Once you smell the garlicky aroma, you can begin to add in your broth, spices and all chopped up vegetables, then throw stewed tomatoes over top of the rest.

Give it a good stir, and cook on low to medium heat for approximately 30 minutes.
** Now I maybe add more spices than most, I do love adding a lot of flavour as there is no way I’d be content with a bland soup… so if you are more on the mild side, or are cooking for others who are, you can always reduce or omit a few of these spices completely. That I’ll leave up to you. **

Flavourful Vegetarian Cabbage Soup

• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 chopped red onion
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 6 cups vegetable broth (I use low sodium variety)
• 1 tsp pink Himalayan salt (May wish to omit if you have full sodium broth)
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes **if you want some heat in broth, or add before serving)
• 1/2 head cabbage (I always use a full and double the recipe!) cut into half inch chunks
• 3 carrots chopped
• 2 stalks celery chopped
• 1/2 pint cherry tomatoes halved
• 14.5 oz canned stewed tomatoes

In your large instant pot On sautee mode (or stove top pot On medium heat) add in 3 tbsp on olive oil, onion and garlic. Cook through until onions are see through, stirring regularly. This should take approximately 3 minutes.

Add in remaining ingredients (Spices, broth, veggies, canned tomatoes), turn to soup mode on instant pot (reduce to a simmer on stove top) And cook for 30-35 minutes until vegetables are tender, but not mushy.

This can be served immediately with bread, dinner rolls, crackers, etc. It can also be stored in an air tight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator OR you can do a double batch and freeze half like me.

Enjoy this warming, healthy, comfort food soup! ❤