Hearty Veg Broth

Featured in Comforting Soup and Stew Recipes to Warm Your Soul.

This cozy dish is made with fresh sauteed cabbage, beans, veggies, and a rich tomato base. It cooks fast but feels hearty and filling.
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Updated on Sat, 03 May 2025 13:56:55 GMT
A steaming bowl of vegetable broth with sprinkles of herbs, sitting atop a rustic gray cloth. Pin it
A steaming bowl of vegetable broth with sprinkles of herbs, sitting atop a rustic gray cloth. | chefmelt.com

I gotta tell you about my go-to wholesome soup that changed my veggie-hating family into cabbage fans! After spotting a gorgeous cabbage head while browsing the farmers market, I whipped up this filling soup that's now our go-to when it's cold outside. The wonderful mix of soft cabbage, white beans and smoky tomatoes in a tasty broth works wonders together. My hubby couldn't believe how tasty cabbage could be the first time I served this!

What Makes This Dish Outstanding

This goes way beyond regular cabbage soup! The smoky tomatoes create amazing flavor while the white beans make it filling enough to count as dinner. My vegetarian friend tried it last month and told me it beats her grandma's version. Even my veggie-dodging kids ask for more, especially when there's crusty bread for dipping!

Ingredients List

  • The Vegetables:
    • Crisp celery
    • Fresh garlic cloves
    • Colorful carrots
    • Sweet yellow onion
    • Yukon gold potatoes
    • Fresh green cabbage cut into small chunks
  • The Extras:
    • Sea salt and pepper
    • Fresh thyme and parsley
    • White wine vinegar for tang
    • Rich vegetable broth
    • Can of white beans
    • Fire-roasted tomatoes
    • Good olive oil

Cooking Instructions

Building Our Base
Get started by cooking those fragrant veggies in olive oil until they're tender and smell amazing. My home fills with wonderful aromas right from the start! These veggies make the ideal starting point for our soup.
Adding The Stars
Toss in the cabbage, potatoes and beans and watch everything blend together nicely. The smoky tomatoes add such nice color and taste. It's truly wonderful when everything starts bubbling away together!
The Final Touch
Add a little white wine vinegar at the end to wake up all the flavors. I always smile when my family wanders into the kitchen asking when we can eat!
A close-up of a pot of hearty vegetable soup with potatoes, carrots, celery, and beans in a rich broth. Pin it
A close-up of a pot of hearty vegetable soup with potatoes, carrots, celery, and beans in a rich broth. | chefmelt.com

Expert Tips

Wanna know my tricks for amazing cabbage soup? Take your time with the first veggies so they can develop good flavor. Cut your cabbage pieces about the same size so they cook evenly. And my best tip? Put that vinegar in last thing to make the flavors stand out!

Ready To Eat

Nothing beats this soup in large bowls with fresh parsley sprinkled on top. You absolutely need warm crusty bread on the side to soak up all that tasty broth! For packed lunches I put it in thermoses with extra beans for a healthy comfort meal. Sometimes we have grilled cheese sandwiches for dipping which is just so cozy!

Storage Tips

This soup actually tastes better the day after you make it! The flavors really come together overnight. I usually cook extra and freeze some for nights when we need something warm quickly. Just warm it up slowly and maybe add some fresh parsley before eating.

Change It Up

Feel free to put your own spin on this soup! I sometimes try different beans or throw in extra veggies. My son who loves spicy food adds red pepper flakes to his bowl. I tried making it with sweet potatoes instead of regular ones once and it was fantastic! That's what makes cooking so fun finding what works best for you.

A close-up of a bowl of vegetable soup featuring diced tomatoes, cabbage, and herbs, garnished with parsley. Pin it
A close-up of a bowl of vegetable soup featuring diced tomatoes, cabbage, and herbs, garnished with parsley. | chefmelt.com

The Heart Behind This Dish

This soup has turned into our healthy comfort food tradition! There's something really special about turning basic veggies into something so good and nourishing. My kids are learning about eating what's in season and seeing how winter vegetables can make something wonderful.

The greatest thing isn't just how good it is for you but seeing everyone's shocked faces when they realize how yummy cabbage can be! Whether you're cooking for someone who needs comfort or just want something warm and nutritious this always hits the spot. And seeing people fall in love with simple ingredients? That's what makes time in the kitchen so worthwhile!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Which cabbage is best to use?
Go for green cabbage since it holds up nicely while cooking. Want it softer? Try Savoy cabbage instead.
→ Can I prepare this in advance?
Totally! The flavors deepen by the next day. Keep in the fridge up to 4 days, and sprinkle fresh herbs when you’re ready to eat.
→ Does this freeze well?
Yep, it freezes great for 3 months. Just let it cool fully, then store and reheat slowly to maintain those veggie textures.
→ What can substitute white beans?
Swap them with kidney beans, chickpeas, or cannellini beans. Don’t want beans? Just skip them for a lighter broth.
→ What sides go with this dish?
Pair it with crusty bread for dipping. Feeling extra? Throw in a grilled cheese or a fresh salad on the side.

Hearty Veg Broth

A simple veggie-packed broth with soft cabbage, creamy beans, and potatoes in a tomatoey base. Great for chilly evenings.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
35 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes

Category: Soups and Stews

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: European

Yield: 6 Servings (Makes 6 bowls)

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 2 tablespoons of light olive oil.
02 Chop 2 carrots.
03 Dice 1 medium yellow onion.
04 Dice 1 rib of celery.
05 ¾ teaspoon of fine sea salt.
06 2 tablespoons of vinegar (white wine).
07 2 cans (14.5 oz each) of diced fire-roasted tomatoes.
08 4 cups of veggie stock.
09 1 can (15.5 oz) of white beans, rinsed and drained.
10 4 garlic cloves, finely grated.
11 Dice 2 Yukon Gold spuds.
12 1 small green cabbage, roughly 1 pound.
13 A teaspoon of dried thyme.
14 Fresh parsley to sprinkle over.
15 Pepper, based on your preference.

Instructions

Step 01

Warm the oil, toss in carrots, onions, celery, then season with salt and pepper. Let it cook for around 8 minutes.

Step 02

Mix in the vinegar, followed by the tomatoes, stock, beans, garlic, spuds, cabbage, and thyme.

Step 03

Pop a lid on and let it cook for 20-30 minutes, or until the potato chunks and cabbage are nice and soft.

Step 04

Taste, adjust the seasoning if needed, and toss parsley on top before dishing up.

Notes

  1. Pairs well with crunchy bread.
  2. Perfect for prepping ahead too.
  3. You can make this the day before.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big pot or a Dutch oven.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 220
  • Total Fat: 6 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 35 g
  • Protein: 9 g