Lentil-Mushroom Cabbage Roll Soup

Recipe Inspiration 

Funny thing how inspiration strikes from a craving. But this wasn’t just a craving, it was a major longing. Besides the fact there’d been a giant cabbage head in our CSA, I had a ton of it on hand. I knew it was time to experiment with a stuffed cabbage soup. 

A few years ago, I blogged about Mushroom Stuffed Cabbage Rolls and I absolutely love this recipe, but it’s a bit of work and definitely not weeknight appropriate. So I turned that recipe into a umami filled lentil-mushroom vegetarian cabbage soup. This stuffed cabbage roll soup is rich and hearty and oh so satisfying during the coldest of days. 

How to Make Lentil-Mushroom Vegetarian Cabbage Roll Soup

I took all the ingredients from my mushroom stuffed cabbage roll recipe and put each one into this hearty vegetarian cabbage roll soup! And seriously, it couldn’t be easier.

• First, rehydrate the porcini mushrooms. Then drain, reserving the broth and chop the porcini.
• Next, sear the crimini/baby bella mushrooms in a bit of olive oil.
• Continuing, add the porcini, shallots, and tomato paste. Deglaze the pot with white wine, then stir in the tomatoes, rice, lentils, reserved mushroom broth, veggie broth, water, thyme bundle and bayleaf.
• Bring to a simmer. 
• Last, stir in the cabbage and simmer the soup, lidded, for about 45 minutes. 

Share vegetarian cabbage soup with a loaf of crusty bread and a big salad to complete the meal.

A Few Recipe Notes on Stuffed Cabbage Soup

• Dried porcini mushrooms are a fabulous way to amp up the umami of this vegetarian cabbage soup. They can be left out however in favor of more crimini or baby bella mushrooms if desired. Increase mushrooms by about 1/4 lb or 1/2 C diced if omitting the dried mushrooms. 
• Have you tried Better Than Bullion vegetable broth? (Not sponsored, I just love it!) It’s a fabulous concentrated broth that I use for all my brothy cooking!  I love it because it’s organic, economical, produces less waste and the glass jar is easily recyclable. 
• Can I freeze cabbage roll soup? Yes please! In fact, freeze cooled soup in individual lidded jars or storage containers for easy weekday lunches or in a larger container for meal prep. Thaw in the fridge overnight and gently reheat. 
• I use French lentils in this vegetarian lentil soup recipe because they hold their shape and texture well and I can get them in our co-op’s bulk bins. But, green or brown lentils will work in this recipe as well.

More Cabbage Recipes to Love

• White Bean Cabbage Potato Soup
• Easy White Bean Cabbage Soup – by Making Thyme For Health
• Mushroom Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
• Winter Vegetable Noodle Curry – by The Bojon Gourmet

Print Recipe

the recipe

Lentil-Mushroom Cabbage Roll Soup

Prep Time:20 minutes

Cook Time:1 hour

Total Time:1 hour 20 minutes

Servings:5 - 6 Servings

Calories:233kcal

Author:Traci York | Vanilla And Bean

Vibrant flavors come together in this cozy stuffed cabbage soup recipe. Easy to make for an unfussy version of a classic, this cabbage roll soup is simple to make and packed with all the hearty umami flavors! This recipe is vegetarian, vegan and gluten free.

Ingredients

• 1 C (215g) Boiling Water
• .5 oz (28g) Dried Porcini Mushrooms or oyster
• 2 Tbs Olive Oil
• 3/4 lb (255g) Baby Bella or Crimini Mushrooms remove stems and dice medium. About 4 Cups diced.
• 1/2 C (65g) Shallots chopped fine, about one medium shallot
• 2 Tbs Tomato Paste
• 1 C (200g) White Wine I like Chardonnay, but any white will do
• 1, 28oz (793g) Can of Diced Tomatoes and all the juices
• 4 C (708g) Vegetable Broth
• 1 C (236g) Reserved Mushroom Broth
• 2 C (472) Water
• 1/2 C (115g) French Lentils
• 1/4 C (65g) Long Grain Brown Rice
• 6 C (420g) Chopped Green Cabbage chopped smallish into bite size pieces. You'll need about 1 medium cabbage or about 1 1/4lb.
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 6-8 Thyme Stems tied together with cooking twine
• 1 3/4 tsp Fine Sea Salt
• Lemon, Fresh Thyme and Black Pepper for Garnish

Instructions

• Transfer the porcini mushrooms to a medium bowl and pour 1 C boiling water over the porcini. Allow the mushrooms to rehydrate for about 15 minutes while prepping the other ingredients. Set a cheese cloth (or coffee filter) in a  fine mesh strainer over a small bowl or large measuring cup to reserve the mushroom broth. Strain the mushrooms and set the broth aside. Remove the cheese cloth or coffee filter and rinse the mushrooms (sometimes they can have little bits of dirt on them).  Chop fine. Set aside.
• In a large Dutch oven or heavy soup pot, add the olive oil and turn the heat on to high. Once the oil is shimmering add the diced mushrooms and allow to sear, only stirring occassionally for 6-7 minutes, or until golden and cooked down. Turn the heat to medium and to the pot, add the chopped porcini, shallots, and tomato paste. Cook for about 2 minutes stirring occassionally. All the shallots and mushrooms should be covered in tomato paste and their should be some sticking on the bottom of the pot. Pour in the wine to deglaze the pan and simmer for 3 minutes, or reduce the wine by about 1/2. 
• To the soup pot add the diced tomatoes and juices, veggie broth, reserved mushroom broth, water, lentils, and rice. Bring to a simmer then, stir in the cabbage. Add the bayleaf, thyme bundle, and salt. Cover the pot, and cook on low for about 40-45 minutes or until the lentils and rice are tender. 
• To the soup pot, squeeze in about 1/2 a lemon juice, stir, taste for salt adjustment. Ladle into soup bowls and garnish with fresh thyme, generous twists of fresh black pepper and crusty bread. 
• Store leftovers in lidded containers for up to three days or freeze cooled soup for up to two weeks. 

Nutrition is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. If this information is important to you, please have it verified independently.

Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1069mg | Potassium: 1067mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 830IU | Vitamin C: 51.6mg | Calcium: 122mg | Iron: 3.3mg

Made It? Be sure to leave a comment below! The most helpful comment may include recipe rating, feedback, any modifications and/or helping other commenters. On Instagram? Take a snap of your make and share, tagging @VanillaAndBean #VanillaAndBean!

You might also like:

White Bean Cabbage Potato Soup

Coconut Curried French Lentil Soup

Creamy Vegan Mushroom and Wild Rice Soup

African Peanut Stew