Hearty & Healthy Cabbage Soup: A Comforting Bowl of Wellness!

When the weather turns chilly, or you’re simply craving a bowl of warmth and nourishment, this Hearty & Healthy Cabbage Soup is the perfect answer. Packed with tender vegetables and savory ground beef, this soup is not only incredibly delicious but also surprisingly wholesome. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a hearty meal that’s both light on calories and heavy on flavor, making it a go-to for healthy eating goals or simply a comforting weeknight dinner.

What sets this recipe apart is its simple approach to building deep flavor, particularly with the clever addition of Lipton Onion Soup Mix, which provides a rich, savory base without a lot of fuss. The combination of sweet cabbage, aromatic onions, zesty stewed tomatoes, and lean ground beef creates a satisfying texture and a truly inviting aroma. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the cozy scent of home cooking and nourish your body with this wonderfully easy and delicious soup!

Ingredients:

1 large head of cabbage (about 2-3 lbs), cored and chopped or shredded
2 small onions, diced
2 cans (14.5 oz / 411g each) stewed tomatoes, undrained (can be diced, crushed, or whole, then broken up)
1 bag (approx. 2 oz / 57g) Lipton onion soup mix (any flavor, classic onion is great)
1 large stalk celery, chopped very small
1 to 2 lbs (450g-900g) ground beef (lean or extra-lean recommended)
Your favorite spices, to taste (e.g., 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, a pinch of red pepper flakes)
Water (for boiling vegetables, amount as specified in instructions)

Equipment:

Large stockpot or Dutch oven (at least 6-quart capacity)
Large skillet (for browning ground beef)
Colander (for draining beef)
Cutting board and knife
Stirring spoon or ladle

Instructions:

Prepare Vegetables & Start Simmering Base:
- Prep Vegetables: Core the large cabbage and chop or shred it into bite-sized pieces. Dice the two small onions. Chop the large celery stalk into very small pieces.
- Boil Water & Add Veggies: Fill a very large stockpot or Dutch oven about halfway with water (this is roughly 6-8 cups, depending on your pot size). Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Once boiling, carefully add the chopped cabbage, diced onions, and finely chopped celery to the pot. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and let the vegetables simmer gently.
Cook Ground Beef Separately:
- While the vegetables are simmering, heat a separate large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 1 to 2 lbs of ground beef.
- Cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon as it browns, until it’s fully cooked through and no longer pink.
- Once cooked, carefully drain any excess grease from the ground beef using a colander or by tilting the pan and spooning out the fat. This step is important for a healthier soup.
Add Flavor & Tomatoes to Soup Base:
- To the simmering vegetables in the large pot, add the 2 cans of stewed tomatoes (undrained). Break up the stewed tomatoes with your spoon if they are whole or very large chunks.
- Stir in the entire bag of Lipton onion soup mix.
- Now is the time to add any other spices you love! Common additions include 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of warmth. Stir everything well to combine.
Combine & Finish Simmering:
- Add the cooked and drained ground beef directly into the soup pot with the simmering vegetables and sauce.
- Stir everything together, ensuring the meat is well distributed.
- Let the soup simmer for a few more minutes (about 5-10 minutes) over low heat, allowing all the flavors to meld and the soup to heat through completely. The cabbage should be tender but still have a little bite.
Enjoy!
- Ladle the hot soup into bowls. Serve warm and savor this healthy and delicious meal. This soup is especially comforting on rainy days!

Tips for Success:

Cabbage Prep: The size you chop your cabbage is up to personal preference. Smaller pieces will soften faster and integrate more, while larger chunks will retain more texture.
Ground Beef Choice: Using lean or extra-lean ground beef will minimize the amount of grease you need to drain, making for a lighter soup. You can also substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
Flavor Boosting: The Lipton Onion Soup Mix is a fantastic flavor shortcut. If you want to build more homemade flavor, you could sauté the onions and celery in a little olive oil before adding them to the water, and use beef broth instead of plain water.
Customizing Spices: Don’t hesitate to personalize this soup with your favorite herbs and spices. A bay leaf added during simmering (and removed before serving) can also add depth. A dash of Worcestershire sauce can also enhance savory notes.
Tomato Type: If you prefer a smoother soup, use crushed tomatoes. If you like more texture, stick with diced or whole stewed tomatoes that you break up.
Add More Veggies: Feel free to add other quick-cooking vegetables like diced carrots, green beans, or corn during the last 10-15 minutes of simmering.
Don’t Overcook: Simmer until the vegetables are tender, but not mushy, especially the cabbage.

Serving Suggestions:

This Hearty & Healthy Cabbage Soup is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with:

Crusty Bread: For soaking up the flavorful broth.
A Simple Green Salad: A light, fresh side to balance the soup.
Crackers: Classic soup accompaniment.

Storage:

This soup is fantastic for meal prep! Store cooled soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
It freezes exceptionally well. Portion into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Enjoy your nourishing and comforting bowl of Cabbage Soup!