This vegetarian cabbage soup is a delightful blend of vegetables and spices. The cabbage lends a hearty bite and the fire-roasted tomatoes and green chiles bring a subtle warmth and smoky flavor. It's a simple recipe that packs a lot of nutrition and flavor, making it perfect for those chilly evenings or when you just need a comforting bowl of soup.
While most of the ingredients are common pantry staples, you may need to find canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes and green chiles. These usually come in a single can and add a nice heat and smokiness to the soup. You might also need to get canned roasted red peppers which adds a sweet and smoky flavor to the dish.
Spicy Vegetarian Cabbage Soup Ingredients
Olive oil: Essential for sauteing the vegetables, it adds a subtle richness to the soup.
White onion: It imparts a sweet and tangy flavor to the soup.
Garlic cloves: A key ingredient that lends a pungent and nutty flavor.
Vegetable stock: The base of the soup, adding depth and flavor.
Carrots and celery: They add a bit of sweetness and a nice crunch.
Potatoes: They help thicken the soup and make it hearty.
Fire-roasted diced tomatoes and green chiles: This gives the soup a smoky flavor and a hint of spiciness.
Roasted red peppers: They add a sweet and smoky flavor to the soup.
Great northern beans: A great source of protein that also makes the soup more filling.
Green cabbage: It adds volume and a satisfying crunch to the soup.
Cumin: A spice that lends a warm and earthy flavor.
Red pepper flakes: They add a spicy kick to the soup.
Baby spinach: It brings freshness and a pop of color to the dish.
Kosher salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the flavor of the soup.
Cilantro: Used as a garnish, it adds a fresh and bright flavor.
One reader, Butch Akers says:
This spicy vegetarian cabbage soup recipe is a game-changer! The flavors are so rich and satisfying. It's the perfect comfort food for a chilly day. The combination of spices and veggies is just perfect. I highly recommend giving it a try!
Techniques Required for Making Spicy Vegetarian Cabbage Soup
How to sauté the onions and garlic: Heat the oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Stir in the garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.
How to simmer the soup: After adding the vegetable stock, carrots, celery, potatoes, tomatoes and green chiles, roasted red peppers, beans, cabbage, cumin, and crushed red pepper flakes, stir to combine. Continue cooking until the soup reaches a simmer.
How to cook until vegetables are tender: Once the soup reaches a simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
How to season the soup: After adding the greens, stir until combined. Then taste and season the soup with salt and pepper as needed.
How to serve the soup: Serve the soup warm, garnished with toppings if desired.
How To Make Spicy Vegetarian Cabbage Soup
There are two ways to describe this dish – healthy and hearty. It also has a nice touch of spice to warm up a chilly night.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1tbspolive oil
- 1mediumwhite onionpeeled and diced
- 6garlic clovespeeled and minced
- 6cupsvegetable stock
- 2mediumcarrotsdiced
- 1celery stalkdiced
- 1lbpotatoesdiced, preferably Yukon Gold
- 20ozfire-roasted diced tomatoes and green chiles(or simply fire-roasted tomatoes, for a milder soup)
- 15ozroasted red peppersdrained and chopped
- 15ozGreat Northern beansrinsed and drained
- 1smallgreen cabbageroughly chopped
- 1½tspcuminground
- ½tspred pepper flakescrushed (or more/less, to taste)
- 2ozbaby spinachor kale
- Kosher salt
- black pepperfreshly-cracked, to taste
- cilantroor parsley – chopped fresh , optional toppings
Instructions
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Heat oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
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Stir in garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.
-
Add in the vegetable stock, carrots, celery, potatoes, tomatoes and green chiles, roasted red peppers, beans, cabbage, cumin, crushed red pepper flakes, and stir to combine. Continue cooking until the soup reaches a simmer.
-
Then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
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Stir in the greens until combined. Then taste and season the soup with salt and pepper as needed.
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Serve warm, garnished with toppings if desired.
Nutrition
- Calories: 141.12kcal
- Fat: 2.09g
- Saturated Fat: 0.33g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 1.13g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.42g
- Carbohydrates: 27.01g
- Fiber: 6.09g
- Sugar: 6.15g
- Protein: 5.94g
- Sodium: 875.12mg
- Calcium: 85.37mg
- Potassium: 706.59mg
- Iron: 2.33mg
- Vitamin A: 226.34µg
- Vitamin C: 110.52mg
Helpful Technique Tip for Spicy Vegetarian Cabbage Soup Recipe
When preparing the cabbage for this soup, it's important to cut it into uniform pieces. This not only ensures even cooking, but also makes every spoonful of the soup enjoyable with a balanced mix of ingredients. Additionally, to extract maximum flavor from the garlic and onion, make sure to sauté them until they are fragrant before adding the other ingredients. This process, known as sweating, helps to release their aromatic compounds, enhancing the overall flavor of the soup.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Soup Recipe
Prep ahead: Chop and prepare all the vegetables and ingredients in advance to save time during the cooking process.
One-pot wonder: Opt for a one-pot cooking method to minimize clean-up and streamline the cooking process.
Use canned ingredients: Utilize canned beans, tomatoes, and other canned ingredients to save time on preparation.
Invest in a food processor: A food processor can help with chopping and shredding vegetables quickly and efficiently.
Multi-task: While the soup is simmering, use that time to clean and tidy up the kitchen to save time after the meal.
Plan your steps: Organize the cooking process by following a step-by-step plan to ensure an efficient and timely preparation.
Substitute Ingredients For Spicy Vegetarian Cabbage Soup Recipe
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar smoke point and mild flavor, making it a suitable replacement for olive oil in this recipe.
white onion - Substitute with yellow onion: Yellow onions have a slightly stronger flavor than white onions, but they can be used interchangeably in most recipes without a significant difference in taste.
garlic cloves - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used as a substitute for fresh garlic cloves, providing a similar flavor profile while being more convenient to use.
vegetable stock - Substitute with chicken stock: Chicken stock can add a savory depth of flavor to the soup, and its richness can complement the other ingredients in the recipe.
carrots - Substitute with sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes can add a touch of natural sweetness and a creamy texture to the soup, similar to carrots.
celery stalk - Substitute with fennel bulb: Fennel bulb can provide a similar crunch and a hint of anise flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the soup.
potatoes - Substitute with butternut squash: Butternut squash can offer a slightly sweet and nutty flavor, adding a unique twist to the soup while maintaining a hearty texture.
fire-roasted diced tomatoes and green chiles - Substitute with regular diced tomatoes and jalapeños: Regular diced tomatoes and jalapeños can be used to replicate the flavor and heat of fire-roasted tomatoes and green chiles.
roasted red peppers - Substitute with paprika: Paprika can provide a smoky and slightly sweet flavor, similar to roasted red peppers, while adding a vibrant color to the soup.
great northern beans - Substitute with cannellini beans: Cannellini beans have a similar creamy texture and mild taste, making them a suitable replacement for great northern beans.
green cabbage - Substitute with savoy cabbage: Savoy cabbage has a slightly more delicate texture and a milder flavor, which can work well in the soup.
cumin - Substitute with coriander: Coriander can offer a citrusy and slightly floral flavor, complementing the other spices in the recipe.
red pepper flakes - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper can provide a similar level of heat and a vibrant color, adding a spicy kick to the soup.
baby spinach - Substitute with kale: Kale can add a hearty texture and a slightly earthy flavor, enhancing the nutritional value of the soup.
kosher salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a substitute for kosher salt, providing a similar level of salinity to the soup.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper can offer a milder and slightly earthy flavor, blending well with the other ingredients in the soup.
cilantro - Substitute with flat-leaf parsley: Flat-leaf parsley can provide a fresh and herbaceous flavor, serving as an alternative to cilantro in the recipe.
Presentation Tips for Spicy Vegetarian Cabbage Soup
Elevate the plating: When presenting this spicy vegetarian cabbage soup, focus on creating a visually stunning presentation. Use a wide-rimmed bowl to showcase the vibrant colors and textures of the soup. Carefully ladle the soup into the bowl, ensuring that each ingredient is beautifully displayed.
Garnish with precision: Add a touch of elegance to the dish by garnishing with a sprig of fresh cilantro and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper. These delicate garnishes will not only enhance the visual appeal but also add a burst of flavor to each spoonful.
Incorporate artistic drizzling: Before serving, drizzle a swirl of olive oil over the soup. This not only adds a luxurious sheen to the dish but also infuses it with a hint of richness and depth of flavor.
Select the right serving ware: Opt for porcelain bowls or earthenware vessels to present the soup. These vessels will complement the rustic and hearty nature of the dish, adding an element of sophistication to the overall presentation.
Balance the elements: Pay attention to the placement of each component in the bowl, ensuring a harmonious balance of colors and textures. The goal is to create a visually appealing composition that entices the eyes and the palate.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Cabbage Soup
- Oven: A kitchen appliance used for baking, roasting, and heating food.
- Stovetop: The top part of a stove, where pots and pans are placed for cooking.
- Cutting board: A durable board on which food is cut and prepared.
- Chef's knife: A versatile kitchen knife used for slicing, chopping, and dicing.
- Stockpot: A large pot used for making soups, stocks, and stews.
- Sauté pan: A wide, flat-bottomed pan used for sautéing, frying, and searing foods.
- Wooden spoon: A cooking utensil used for stirring, mixing, and serving.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Tools used to measure precise amounts of ingredients for cooking and baking.
- Immersion blender: A handheld kitchen tool used for blending and pureeing soups and sauces directly in the pot.
- Soup ladle: A large, long-handled spoon with a deep bowl, used for serving soups and stews.
Storing and Freezing Spicy Vegetarian Cabbage Soup
To store leftover spicy vegetarian cabbage soup, allow it to cool completely to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate the soup for up to 4-5 days.
When ready to reheat, transfer the desired portion to a saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the soup is heated through. You may need to add a splash of vegetable stock or water to thin the soup if it has thickened during storage.
For longer storage, you can freeze the cabbage soup for up to 3 months. To freeze, allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or resealable bags. Leave some headspace in the containers to allow for expansion during freezing.
To thaw frozen vegetable soup, transfer the container from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight. Alternatively, you can place the frozen container in a bowl of cold water to speed up the thawing process.
Once thawed, reheat the soup in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it is heated through. You may need to add a bit of vegetable stock or water to adjust the consistency of the soup after thawing.
To maintain the best quality and flavor of the cabbage soup, consume it within 3-4 months of freezing. Be sure to label the containers with the date of freezing to keep track of storage times.
How To Reheat Leftover Spicy Vegetarian Cabbage Soup
Stovetop method: Transfer the leftover spicy vegetarian cabbage soup to a pot and reheat it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired temperature. This method allows you to control the heat and ensure that the soup is heated evenly without scorching or losing its flavor.
Microwave method: Pour the leftover soup into a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with a lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape. Microwave on high power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval, until the soup is heated through. Be careful when removing the bowl from the microwave, as it may be hot.
Slow cooker method: If you have a large amount of leftover spicy vegetarian cabbage soup, you can reheat it in a slow cooker. Transfer the soup to the slow cooker, cover it, and heat on low for 1-2 hours or until it reaches the desired temperature. This method is convenient if you want to reheat the soup without much supervision.
Add a splash of vegetable stock or water: If the leftover soup has thickened during storage, you can add a small amount of vegetable stock or water to thin it out and improve its consistency when reheating.
Adjust the seasonings: After reheating the spicy vegetarian cabbage soup, taste it and adjust the seasonings if needed. You may want to add a pinch of salt, black pepper, or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten up the flavors.
Garnish and serve: Once the soup is heated through, ladle it into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro or other desired toppings. Serve the reheated spicy vegetarian cabbage soup immediately, enjoying its comforting and flavorful qualities.
Interesting Fact About Spicy Vegetarian Cabbage Soup
The spicy vegetarian cabbage soup recipe is a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It's a healthy and filling option for those looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into their diet. The combination of cabbage, beans, and other vegetables provides a good amount of protein, making it a satisfying and nutritious dish. Additionally, the cumin and red pepper flakes not only add a spicy kick but also offer potential health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory properties. Enjoying this soup can be a flavorful way to support a balanced and wholesome diet.
Is Making Spicy Vegetarian Cabbage Soup Cost-Effective?
This spicy vegetarian cabbage soup recipe is highly cost-effective for a household. With affordable ingredients like vegetable stock, cabbage, and great northern beans, it offers a budget-friendly meal option. The use of pantry staples and versatile vegetables makes it a practical choice for families. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $15, making it an economical and nutritious choice. Overall Verdict: 9/10
Is This Spicy Vegetarian Soup Healthy?
This spicy vegetarian cabbage soup recipe is a nutritious and wholesome choice. The ingredients are primarily vegetables, providing a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The use of olive oil adds healthy monofats, while the beans contribute protein and additional fiber. The fire-roasted tomatoes and roasted red peppers add depth of flavor without relying on excessive amounts of salt or unhealthy additives. The soup is low in calories and fat, making it a great option for those looking to maintain a healthy weight.
To further enhance the nutritional value of this soup, consider the following suggestions:
- Increase the variety of vegetables by adding diced zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms to boost the nutrient content and provide additional texture
- Swap the potatoes for sweet potatoes, which are higher in vitamin A and antioxidants
- Include a source of whole grains, such as quinoa or brown rice, to increase the fiber content and make the soup more satiating
- Garnish with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt for added protein and a creamy texture without significantly increasing the calorie count
- Experiment with different herbs and spices, like smoked paprika or thyme, to enhance the flavor profile without relying on excess salt
Editor's Opinion on This Spicy Vegetarian Cabbage Soup Recipe
This spicy vegetarian cabbage soup recipe is a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The use of fire-roasted tomatoes and green chiles adds a smoky depth, while the roasted red peppers bring a touch of sweetness. The addition of cumin and red pepper flakes provides a warm, spicy kick that complements the earthy cabbage and hearty beans. The soup is well-balanced and nutritious, making it a satisfying and comforting dish. The incorporation of baby spinach at the end adds a pop of color and freshness. Overall, this recipe is a winner for anyone seeking a flavorful and filling vegetarian soup option.
Enhance Your Spicy Vegetarian Cabbage Soup Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Why trust this Spicy Vegetarian Cabbage Soup Recipe:
This spicy vegetarian cabbage soup recipe is a must-try for anyone looking for a flavorful and wholesome meal. With fire-roasted tomatoes and green chiles, roasted red peppers, and great northern beans, this soup is bursting with rich and savory flavors. The addition of cumin and red pepper flakes adds a delightful kick, while the inclusion of baby spinach provides a nutritious boost. Trust the combination of fresh, quality ingredients and expertly crafted flavors to deliver a satisfying and comforting dining experience.
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