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Poor Man’s Cabbage Soup

Poor Man’s Cabbage Soup

Poor Man’s Cabbage Soup is a hearty, budget-friendly comfort meal made with cabbage, potatoes, carrots, celery, tomatoes, and broth. It’s nourishing, filling, easy to customize, and perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 bowls
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 210
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 small head green cabbage chopped
  • 1 onion diced
  • 3 carrots sliced
  • 3 stalks celery chopped
  • 3 potatoes diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 6 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • fresh parsley for garnish
Optional Additions
  • ground beef
  • white beans
  • smoked sausage
  • rice
  • crushed red pepper flakes

Equipment

  • Large soup pot
  • Knife
  • Cutting Board

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened slightly.
  2. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the broth and add the diced potatoes. Stir in paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
  4. Bring the soup to a gentle boil.
  5. Add the chopped cabbage and diced tomatoes to the pot.
  6. Simmer for 25–30 minutes until all vegetables are tender.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with crusty bread, crackers, or grilled cheese sandwiches.

Notes

This soup freezes well and tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue blending. Customize with ground beef, sausage, beans, or extra vegetables depending on what you have available.