This detox cabbage soup recipe is vegan, gluten-free, ultra-healthy, and packs a serious punch in terms of flavor. A whole head of cabbage, loads of savory spices, garlic, veggies, and fresh ginger make for a vibrant, deeply savory soup that will nourish you in all the best ways.

detox cabbage soup in a bowl with a spoon surrounded by small bowls of salt, pepper and lemon wedges and a cloth napkin.
Photo Credits: Kathrine Irwin

If you’re looking for a truly nourishing and Mediterranean Diet-friendly cabbage soup recipe that will warm your soul this one is it!

I packed this soup with wholesome ingredients like carrots, celery, cabbage, tomatoes, and onions then seasoned everything with a dose of coriander, turmeric, cumin, and Aleppo pepper to create a harmonious blend of flavors. I finished it with a good squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a spicy kick from freshly grated ginger.

This cabbage soup recipe is not only satisfying and delicious but also supports your overall well-being. And as much as I love a raw Cabbage Salad on a hot day, simmering the leafy green until tender makes it so warm-your-belly comforting in the wintertime. Plus, it’s filling, low-calorie, nutrient-rich, and feeds a crowd. Give it a try. I hope you love it as much as I do.

Table of Contents
  1. Cabbage Soup Flavor Makers
  2. Detox Cabbage Soup Ingredients
  3. How to Make Detox Cabbage Soup
  4. Can You Freeze this Cabbage Soup Recipe? 
  5. How to Core Cabbage
  6. Is Cabbage Good For You?
  7. What to Serve with Cabbage Soup
  8. You’ll Also Like: Nourishing Soup Recipes
  9. “Detox” Cabbage Soup with Turmeric and Ginger Recipe
Ingredients for detox cabbage soup including olive oil, onion, garlic, green cabbage, celery, carrots, salt pepper, turmeric, cumin, coriander, Aleppo pepper, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, parsley, green onions, fresh ginger, and lemon.

Cabbage Soup Flavor Makers

I call this my “detox” cabbage soup not just because of its wealth of vegetables, but also because of the citrus, ginger, and aromatic spices. Studies have shown turmeric has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect that helps with the management of a wide range of conditions, from muscle soreness to anxiety.

Ginger has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. (Check out the National Library of Medicine’s findings on turmeric and ginger for more info.) 

When these powerful ingredients are combined with additional flavor makers like lemon, Aleppo Pepper, Cumin, and Coriander you have a soup that’s not only healthy but enjoyable to eat. In many Mediterranean cultures, these ingredients are commonly used. You can use Aleppo Pepper on fruit like this Grilled Mango recipe or in traditional breakfast recipes like Turkish poached eggs called Cilbir.

Cumin adds an earthy flavor while coriander brightens things up. Both are commonly found in spice blends like the Shawarma Seasoning used to make Chicken Shawarma or Shakshuka.

To incorporate more of these spices into your daily cooking check out our shop and build your own spice bundle. It’s a great way to get started cooking the Mediterranean way.

Detox Cabbage Soup Ingredients

Aside from its super-ingredients, this soup is comforting, aromatic, and, most importantly, a delicious recipe you’ll want to make on repeat. Here’s what you’ll need to make it: 

  • Extra virgin olive oil is used to sauté the vegetables. Use a high-quality extra virgin variety
  • Onion and garlic bring a sweet and savory depth of flavor. I like the sweetness of yellow onion, but white onion or a couple of large shallots would also work. 
  • Green cabbage adds texture, a vitamin and mineral boost, and a mildly sweet flavor. You can substitute with Napa cabbage, savoy cabbage, but I would avoid or red cabbage. It has a has a more pronounced peppery flavor and the red color will leach into the soup.
  • Celery and carrots provide the soup’s aromatic foundation. 
  • Kosher salt and black pepper enhance the flavor. 
  • Turmeric, cumin, and coriander add complex peppery, earthy, savory flavor. 
  • Aleppo pepper adds a mild and bright kick. You can substitute with Urfa biber or red pepper flakes. 
  • Diced tomato adds brightness, sweetness, and texture. You can substitute canned whole tomatoes for a more rustic vibe. Just crush them with the back of a spoon. 
  • Vegetable broth adds flavor and body. Chicken broth also works well if you’d prefer.
  • Parsley and green onion add freshness. Feel free to substitute with other tender herbs, like cilantro or mint. 
  • Fresh ginger adds a boldly peppery note. 
  • Lemon zest and juice lifts the soup’s savory quality, adding acidity for balance. 
An overhead photo of a pot of detox cabbage soup surrounded by small bowls of salt and pepper and a cloth napkin.


How to Make Detox Cabbage Soup

Cabbage breaks down fairly quickly–you don’t need a long simmer. And with a vibrant blend of spices and punchy aromatics like garlic and ginger, you can develop a deep flavor in under an hour. Here’s how:  

  • Get ready. This soup comes together pretty quickly so it’s best to do your prep work first. Chop 1 onion. Mince 3 garlic cloves (see my tips for how to mince garlic). Core and chop one head of green cabbage (see tips below). Chop 2 celery sticks, and slice 2 carrots into thin rounds.  
  • Sauté the aromatics. In a large Dutch oven or cooking pot with a lid, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil until shimmering. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring regularly, until fragrant (adjust the heat down to make sure the garlic does not burn). Chopped onion and minced garlic being sauteed in a pot with a wooden spoon. This is surrounded by a lemon half, a bunch of parsley, small bowls of various spices, salt and pepper, and a cloth napkin.
  • Soften the veggies. Add the cabbage, celery, carrots, and a big pinch of kosher salt and black pepper (about 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon each). Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened somewhat, about 5 to 7 minutes (it helps to cover the pot partway so that the cabbage will wilt easily). cabbage, celery and carrots being softened in a pot with a wooden spoon. This is surrounded by a lemon half, a bunch of parsley, small bowls of various spices, salt and pepper, and a cloth napkin.
  • Season. Add 1/2 teaspoon turmeric and 1 teaspoon cumin, coriander, and Aleppo pepper. Toss to coat the vegetables with the spices.  seasoning added to the sauteed aromatics in a pot with a wooden spoon. This is surrounded by a lemon half, a bunch of parsley, small bowls of various spices, salt and pepper, and a cloth napkin.
  • Simmer. Add a 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes (with their juices) and 3 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a boil for about 5 minutes, then turn the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot part way allowing just a small opening at the top. Simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. broth being added to the vegetables and aromatics simmering in a pot with a wooden spoon. This is surrounded by a lemon half, a bunch of parsley, small bowls salt and pepper, and a cloth napkin.
  • Get the finishing touches ready. While the soup simmers, trim and slice 3 green onions (both white and green parts). Pick and chop enough parsley leaves to get you about 1 cup. Peel and finely grate a piece of fresh ginger, about 1-inch long. Zest a large lemon, then slice it in half and capture its juice.  
  • Finish and serve. Turn the heat off and stir in the parsley, chopped green onions, ginger, lemon zest and lemon juice. Stir to combine.parsley, green onions, ginger, lemon juice and zest added to the pot of detox cabbage soup with a wooden spoon. This is surrounded by a small bowl of pepper, and a cloth napkin.


Can You Freeze this Cabbage Soup Recipe? 

This cabbage soup freezes like a dream! It’s a great way to prepare for future colds or just to keep a healthy meal at the ready. Simply transfer to storage containers, leaving some room at the top to allow it to expand. Allow to cool completely, then cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. 

Thaw frozen soup in your refrigerator overnight. Reheat on the stove or in your microwave. 

an overhead photo of 2 bowls of detox cabbage soup with spoons surrounded by small bowls of salt, pepper and lemon wedges, slices of crusty bread and cloth napkins.


How to Core Cabbage

Cabbage may seem like a big bowling ball of work, but it’s very simple to break down. To core and chop cabbage: 

  • Remove the outer leaves: Peel away and discard any damaged or wilted outer leaves of the cabbage.
  • Cut the cabbage in half: Place the cabbage on the cutting board with the stem side down. Use a big sharp knife to halve the cabbage through the center of the stem.
  • Core and chop the cabbage: Open the cabbage to expose the cut side. Cut a V-shaped notch around the bottom core where all the leaves become tight and hard, removing it. Repeat with the other half, then chop them just like you would a great big onion. 


Is Cabbage Good For You?

In short: Yes! Cabbage is a humble vegetable that’s low in calories but high in nutrients. In fact, green cabbage boasts as much calcium as oranges, according to the USDA, along with high levels of magnesium, fiber, and potassium. 

an overhead photo of detox cabbage soup in a bowl with a spoon surrounded by small bowls of salt and lemon wedges and a cloth napkin.


What to Serve with Cabbage Soup

This vegan cabbage soup is hearty enough on its own, you don’t need any sides. But you can add white beans, chickpeas, or shredded chicken for extra protein (rotisserie chicken would work well.)

A quick-rising fresh bread, like simit or challah, is a special treat or opt for a homemade crusty loaf of no-knead olive bread. If things are busy, you can always go for a good store-bought bread and dress it up a little with garlic and parmesan while the soup simmers. 

You’ll Also Like: Nourishing Soup Recipes

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4.94 from 65 votes

“Detox” Cabbage Soup with Turmeric and Ginger

Suzy Karadsheh of The Mediterranean Dish. In the kitchenSuzy Karadsheh
an overhead photo of detox cabbage soup in a bowl with a spoon surrounded by small bowls of salt, pepper and lemon wedges and a cloth napkin.
In this weeknight-friendly recipe, a whole head of cabbage stews with warming Mediterranean spices and aromatic veggies until it's silky-smooth and loaded with flavor. Vegan gluten free, this nourishing soup is where health food and comfort food join forces! Consider this your new go-to for when you crave a healthy, and, most importantly, delicious reset!
Prep – 10 minutes
Cook – 30 minutes
Total – 40 minutes
Cuisine:
American/Mediterranean
Serves – 6
Course:
Entree, Soup

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium head of green cabbage, cored and chopped
  • 2 celery sticks, chopped
  • 2 carrots, sliced into thin rounds
  • Kosher salt
  • Black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes
  • 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomato
  • 3 cups low sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 cup chopped parsley leaves (from about 1 bunch parsley)
  • 3 green onions, trimmed and sliced
  • 1- inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced

Instructions
 

  • Sauté the aromatics. In a large Dutch oven or cooking pot with a lid, heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring regularly, until fragrant (adjust the heat as necessary to make sure the garlic does not burn).
  • Soften the veggies. Add the cabbage, celery, carrots, and a big pinch of kosher salt and black pepper (about 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon each). Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened somewhat, about 5 to 7 minutes (it helps to cover the pot partway so that the cabbage will wilt easily).
  • Season. Add the turmeric, cumin, coriander, and Aleppo pepper and toss to coat the vegetables with the spices.
  • Simmer. Add the diced tomatoes (with their juices) and the broth. Bring to a boil for about 5 minutes, then turn the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot part way allowing just a small opening at the top. Simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
  • Finish and serve. Turn the heat off and stir in the parsley, chopped green onions, ginger, lemon zest and lemon juice. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Calories: 131.3kcalCarbohydrates: 20.7gProtein: 4.2gFat: 5.3gSaturated Fat: 0.8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.6gMonounsaturated Fat: 3.6gSodium: 151.9mgPotassium: 606.7mgFiber: 7.2gSugar: 9.5gVitamin A: 4591.7IUVitamin C: 89mgCalcium: 125.3mgIron: 2.7mg
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I’m Suzy; born and bred right on the shores of the Mediterranean. I’m all about easy, healthy recipes with big Mediterranean flavors. Three values guide my cooking: eat with the seasons; use whole foods; and above all, share! So happy you’re here…
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4.94 from 65 votes (21 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Amanda says:

    5 stars
    Added the full tsp of chili flakes– a perfect winter meal prep between holidays. Healthy, hearty, and just a bit spicy. Exactly what the season demanded. Thank you 😊 my 12 hour hospital shifts just became much more tolerable

  2. Melody Brown says:

    How much is a serving?

    1. TMD Team says:

      Hello! This particular recipe can be divided by 6 to get the approximate “serving size”. The nutrition info here is our best effort and we use a program that calculates that for us based on the ingredient list. The exact serving size measurement (by grams, cups, etc) is another layer that’s harder for us to precisely calculate at the moment, but we’re working on it!

  3. Linda says:

    3 stars
    I love cabbage soup so I was looking forward to this – my husband and I found it too lemony. Is that the coriander? I suggest tasting before adding lemon zest and lemon juice.

    1. TMD Team says:

      Hi, Linda. That’s likely from the lemon juice and lemon zest. You can definitely reduce those amounts to suit your taste next time.

  4. Lyn says:

    Can red cabbage be used in this?

    1. TMD Team says:

      Hi, Lyn. That should work as far as flavor goes, but it will change the overall color of the soup. Red cabbage turns into a more bluish color when cooked, which some find unappetizing, so just be aware.

  5. Linda says:

    five stars love this soup! So healthy and yet tasty, quick and easy.

  6. Patricia L Robinson says:

    I did make the cabbage soup. I and my family loved it. We love everything Mediterranean.

  7. Connie says:

    5 stars
    Love the extra spices, lemon and ginger – making it an even healthier version than I’ve made before! Suzy – I can always count on you to have the BEST recipes – never disappointed😋

  8. PD says:

    5 stars
    If you plan to freeze half of the soup, should you separate out the half you are going to freeze before adding the parsley, lemon zest. etc?

    1. TMD Team says:

      Hello! I don’t think that’s necessary. I’ve frozen leftovers of this with all of the ingredients included with no issues :). Hope you enjoy it!

  9. ML says:

    4 stars
    In the old days this was part of the Loma Linda Diet but we used less seasonings and no ginger. The cabbage fills you up!

  10. Isabel says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious. Thank you.

  11. Isab says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious. Thank you.

  12. Jacqui says:

    5 stars
    Now this is my favourite soup recipe . I added some other vegetables I had in the fridge and chopped coriander instead of parsley , it was absolutely delicious! Thank you 🙏

  13. Geraldine says:

    5 stars
    Looks delicous will be making it today.

  14. T L says:

    I added the market fresh adobe seasoned shredded chicken from Walmart and it was the perfect addition

    1. TMD Team says:

      Sounds like an amazing addition! YUM!

  15. Annette Hirt says:

    I will make this today. Can’t wait.

  16. Melissa says:

    5 stars
    I make this often, and this last time I used fire roasted tomatoes. Added a depth of flavor that complements the other ingredients. Thank you for sharing so many yummy recipes!

    1. Jeannine says:

      5 stars
      I used a can of fire roasted tomatoes thinking they would add a little something extra. Oh they did in-fact add something extra, too much heat! Oh well, we powered through it. Definitely clears the sinuses if you have a cold! Otherwise, I love this recipe and make it often throughout the colder month. Ty!