Hearty Mediterranean Detox Cabbage Soup Recipe

Ingredients

For 6-8 servings:

Vegetables and Base

• 1 medium head green cabbage (about 2 lbs/900g), cored and chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion (about 5.3 oz/150g), chopped
• 2 celery sticks (about 3.5 oz/100g), chopped
• 2 carrots (about 4 oz/115g), thinly sliced
• 3 garlic cloves (about 0.5 oz/15g), minced
• 3 green onions, trimmed and sliced
• 1 cup (60g) parsley leaves, chopped

Liquids and Oil

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 28 oz (800g) canned diced tomatoes
• 3 cups (720ml) low-sodium vegetable broth

Seasonings and Aromatics

• 1-inch piece (about 1 oz/30g) fresh ginger, peeled and grated
• ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• ½-1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes
• 1 large lemon (zest and juice)
• Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare Base (10 minutes)

• Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat
• Sauté onion until translucent (5-7 minutes)
• Add garlic, ginger; cook until fragrant (1 minute)

1. Add Aromatics (5 minutes)

• Stir in turmeric, cumin, coriander, and Aleppo pepper
• Toast spices until fragrant (30 seconds)

1. Build the Soup (10 minutes)

• Add chopped cabbage, celery, carrots
• Season with salt and pepper
• Cook until vegetables begin to soften (5 minutes)

1. Simmer (25-30 minutes)

• Pour in diced tomatoes and vegetable broth
• Bring to boil, reduce heat
• Simmer covered until cabbage is tender (20-25 minutes)

1. Finish (5 minutes)

• Stir in parsley, green onions
• Add lemon zest and juice
• Adjust seasonings to taste

Nutritional Information

Per serving (1.5 cups):

• Calories: 120
• Protein: 4g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 6g
• Fat: 5g
• Sodium: 390mg

Total Time: 55-60 minutes

• Prep: 15-20 minutes
• Cook: 40 minutes

Pro Tips and Tricks

1. Optimal Cabbage Preparation

• Shred cabbage into uniform pieces for even cooking
• Soak in cold water briefly to enhance crispness
• Core removal ensures tender results

1. Flavor Enhancement

• Toast spices before adding liquids
• Add salt gradually throughout cooking
• Finish with fresh herbs just before serving

1. Texture Control

• Monitor cabbage texture during simmering
• Keep pieces consistent for uniform cooking
• Adjust liquid levels for desired consistency

Variations and Substitutions

1. Protein Additions

• White beans or chickpeas
• Shredded chicken
• Turkey meatballs

1. Vegetable Options

• Purple cabbage for added color
• Kale or spinach
• Sweet potatoes instead of carrots

1. Spice Alternatives

• Smoked paprika for depth
• Italian seasoning blend
• Curry powder for Indian twist