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Best Cabbage Soup with Lentils | Easy and Healthy (Vegan) Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 67 reviews

This Best Cabbage Soup with Lentils recipe is an easy, healthy, and comforting vegan dish that combines hearty vegetables, red lentils, and vibrant spices. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, it is packed with nutrients and bursting with bright flavors from fresh lemon and herbs.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 2–3 tablespoons Olive oil
  • 1 Onion, chopped
  • 2 Celery stalks, diced
  • 2 Carrots, diced
  • 2 Garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger, grated (optional)
  • 1/2 medium Cabbage (about 8 cups), chopped
  • 3–4 tablespoons Parsley, chopped
  • Zest from one lemon
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon juice

Canned and Dry Goods

  • 1 can Chopped tomatoes (400g) or 3 fresh ripe tomatoes, diced
  • 6–8 cups Vegetable broth
  • 3/4 cup Red lentils, rinsed

Spices

  • 2 Bay leaves
  • 1½ teaspoons Paprika
  • 1½ teaspoons Cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Dried basil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Sauté the aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened and slightly golden. Then stir in diced celery and carrots, cooking for an additional 4–5 minutes until they start to soften.
  2. Add garlic and spices: Stir in grated ginger (if using), minced garlic, paprika, cumin, dried oregano, and dried basil. Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant to release the spices’ aromas.
  3. Cook the cabbage: Add the chopped cabbage to the pot and cook while stirring often for 4–5 minutes. The cabbage will appear voluminous at first but will wilt down as it cooks.
  4. Simmer the soup: Pour in the chopped tomatoes, vegetable broth, rinsed red lentils, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for 15–20 minutes until the lentils are tender and the flavors have melded together.
  5. Finish and serve: Turn off the heat and stir in chopped parsley, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the soup warm, ideally with crusty bread on the side.

Notes

  • You can omit the ginger if you prefer a milder flavor.
  • Adjust the amount of vegetable broth for a thicker or thinner soup consistency.
  • Rinsing lentils helps remove excess starch and keeps the soup clearer.
  • This soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and freezes nicely for longer storage.
  • For added protein, serve with a side of whole grain bread or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast.

Keywords: cabbage soup, lentil soup, vegan soup, healthy soup, easy cabbage soup, vegan lentil soup, gluten free soup

Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/best-cabbage-soup-with-lentils-easy-and-healthy-vegan-recipe/