Why You’ll Love this Homemade Cabbage Soup
If you’re searching for a dish that’s both comforting and nourishing, I’m confident this homemade cabbage soup will become a fast favorite in your kitchen rotation.
This vibrant medley combines crisp cabbage with colorful bell peppers, carrots, and celery in a savory V8 juice base that’ll warm you from the inside out.
It’s incredibly versatile—add a dash of Cholula for heat or keep it mild for sensitive palates. The best part? It’s packed with nutrients while remaining deliciously satisfying.
Plus, the hands-on prep takes just minutes before the soup simmers to perfection, filling your home with an irresistible aroma.
What Ingredients are in Homemade Cabbage Soup?
This cabbage soup recipe brings together a beautiful array of fresh vegetables and flavorful additions that create a nourishing, satisfying bowl of comfort. The ingredients list might look lengthy at first glance, but don’t let that intimidate you—most are common vegetables you might already have in your crisper drawer. What makes this soup special is how these simple ingredients transform during cooking, with the V8 juice creating a rich base that ties everything together perfectly.
- 1 head cabbage, chopped into bite-size pieces
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 green bell peppers, chopped
- 1 bunch celery, sliced
- 5-6 large carrots, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 (7 ounce) can mushrooms
- 1 (1-1⅞ ounce) vegetable soup mix
- 1 (46 fluid ounce) low-sodium V8 juice
- 1 (14 ounce) can Mexican-style tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Optional: Cholula hot sauce for serving
Feel free to make adjustments based on what’s in season or your personal preferences. The low-sodium V8 juice helps keep the salt levels in check while providing tons of flavor, but you could substitute regular V8 if that’s what you have on hand—just be mindful of the overall seasoning. For those who follow specific diets, this soup is naturally vegetarian and can easily be made vegan by checking that your vegetable soup mix doesn’t contain any animal products. And remember, fresh vegetables will give you the best flavor, but in a pinch, frozen bell peppers or carrots work beautifully too.
How to Make this Homemade Cabbage Soup
Making this hearty cabbage soup is surprisingly simple, even for those of us who aren’t kitchen wizards. Start by prepping all your fresh veggies – chop 1 head of cabbage, 1 large yellow onion, 2 green bell peppers, 1 bunch of celery, and 5-6 large peeled carrots into bite-sized pieces. Nothing fancy here, just good old-fashioned chopping.
Next, grab your five-quart saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, and toss in all those colorful vegetables. Turn the heat up high and let them sizzle for about four minutes, just enough to wake up those flavors.
Now for the liquid magic. Pour in that 46-fluid-ounce container of low-sodium V8 juice (your sodium-watching friends will thank you), add the 1-ounce vegetable soup mix packet, and don’t forget the 14-ounce can of Mexican-style tomatoes with all their flavorful juices.
Oh, and toss in that 7-ounce can of mushrooms too—they add such a nice earthy dimension. For even smoother preparation, consider using a high-end kitchen mixer to blend some of the ingredients for consistent texture. Bring everything to a nice, bubbling boil, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer. This is where patience comes in, my friends. Let the soup simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, allowing all those veggies to soften and the flavors to meld together into something truly wonderful.
Want a bit of heat? A couple dashes of Cholula hot sauce in individual servings will take this soup to the next level. Comfort food doesn’t get much healthier than this, does it?
Homemade Cabbage Soup Substitutions and Variations
While our basic cabbage soup recipe creates a wonderful foundation, the beauty of homemade cooking lies in making it your own!
Don’t have V8 juice? Regular tomato juice works beautifully, or try beef broth for a heartier flavor profile.
Swap green bell peppers for red ones to add a touch of sweetness, or toss in a jalapeño if you’re craving heat without reaching for hot sauce.
Vegetarians can skip the soup mix and use vegetable bouillon instead.
I’m particularly fond of adding a handful of fresh dill and a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving—it brightens everything up with minimal effort!
What to Serve with Homemade Cabbage Soup
How beautifully a steaming bowl of homemade cabbage soup pairs with so many complementary dishes!
I love serving this robust, veggie-packed soup with a crusty artisan bread—something with a chewy interior and crisp exterior that’s perfect for dunking into that savory broth.
For a heartier meal, consider adding a simple protein alongside, like a grilled cheese sandwich made with sharp cheddar on sourdough.
You can’t go wrong with a bright, acidic side salad dressed with vinaigrette to cut through the soup’s richness.
My favorite combination? The cabbage soup with a slice of cornbread and a dollop of sour cream on top!
Final Thoughts
Homemade cabbage soup isn’t just another recipe—it’s a comforting tradition that brings warmth to any kitchen! When I smell those vegetables simmering with the aromatic blend of V8 juice and Mexican-style tomatoes, I’m reminded why simple food often delivers the most satisfaction.
What makes this soup special is its versatility—you can adjust the heat with a dash of Cholula, or keep it mild for sensitive palates.
The 45-minute simmer transforms humble cabbage into something extraordinary, creating a nutritious meal that’s both economical and satisfying.
