Hearty, nourishing and so mouth-watering; White Bean Cabbage Potato Soup is a steamy one-pot recipe that will serve up cozy during the coldest months of the year. vegetarian or vegan, + gluten free
It’s freezing outside, so cabbage potato soup is pretty much on the regular around here. We escaped the snow deluge that much of the Pacific Northwest experienced yesterday. I was hoping we’d be in the mix.
No such luck.
With the new year off to a running start, I’ve spent time planning and setting goals and intentions for the year ahead. I’ve had some struggles in the past few years that I’d like to focus on for improvement. Serious improvement.
Not just setting a goal or saying I’m going to do it, sometimes I’m a complete failure at follow-through. But making these new goals a daily intention, which means scheduling time for it… getting specific and staying focused on priorities.
Vegetarian cabbage soup helps me maintain those new goals. Not that I eat it to lose weight, rather, I eat it because it’s nourishing, filling, super hearty and it just tastes delicious! The addition of potatoes in this cabbage potato soup gives it that comfort factor I’m after anyway this time of year.
Cabbage potato soup is super simple to pull together too!
How to Make Cabbage Potato Soup:
- First, in a large Dutch Oven or stock-pot, add the olive oil (or butter) and heat until shimmering. Add the leeks and cook, stirring frequently. Add the cabbage and stir, cooking down just a bit.
- Next, add the garlic, 1/2 tsp salt, broth, potatoes and thyme bundle. Bring to a simmer, then cook on low for about 20 minutes for a fork tender potato or 40 minutes to let the potatoes soften further (this time is flexible).
- Last, remove the thyme bundle and stir in the beans. Warm through, about five minutes.
Share vegetarian cabbage soup with crusty bread and a big salad to complete the meal.
A few notes about White Bean Cabbage Potato Soup:
- Butter or Olive Oil: I’ve tried both and prefer the richness butter adds to this soup. Use olive oil for dairy-free.
- The Cabbage: I’ve used savoy (pictured) and green. While I prefer green, either will work. Green tends to stand up more to the cooking time, producing a more texture-rich soup while the more tender savoy tends to cook down a bit more.
- The Broth: For a chunkier soup, hold out at least 2 C broth. Go for a high-quality prepared broth, or better yet, homemade. I like Better Than Bouillon.
- The Potatoes: The longer the soup cooks, the more the potatoes will cook down into the soup. If you prefer fork-tender potatoes, cook them for the shorter amount of time (as seen here.. I was impatient). Longer for a more creamy texture.
- Is Cabbage Potato Soup Freezer friendly? Yes please! Freeze in individual serving jars, or containers for lunch portions, or in a larger container for family meals. Freeze for up to two weeks. Thaw in the fridge overnight and rewarm on the stovetop on low heat.
White Bean Cabbage Potato Soup
Hearty, nourishing and simple ingredients. White Bean Cabbage Potato Soup is a steamy one pot recipe that will serve up cozy during the coldest months of the year. Vegan or Vegetarian, Gluten Free.
Ingredients
- 4 Tbs Olive Oil or Unsalted Butter* (see note)
- 5 C (436g) Leeks, sliced thin, about two large leeks
- 8 C (348g) Green or Savoy Cabbage, cut into bite size pieces or thinly sliced** (see note)
- 2 C (285g) Russet or Yellow Finn Potatoes, skins on, cut into small cubes, about one large potato
- 8 C (1.7kg) Vegetable Broth *** see note
- 4 Cloves of Garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp Sea Salt + more to taste
- 2 C (425g) Cooked Cannellini Beans, drained and rinsed
- 4-5 Thyme Springs, tied
- Parmesan Cheese for garnish (optional)
Instructions
In a large Dutch Oven or stock-pot, add the olive oil (or butter and melt) and heat until shimmering. Add the leeks and cook, stirring frequently on low until they're soft with a bit of golden color, about 10 minutes. Watch them close, as they can burn easily.
Add the cabbage to the leeks. Cook on low stirring occassionally to cook down, about 9-10 minutes (the pot will be very full!).
Add garlic, 1/2 tsp salt, broth, potatoes and thyme bundle. Bring to a simmer, then cook on low for about 20 minutes for a fork tender potato (this will vary depending on type of potato and size of cut, so test to taste), or 40 minutes to let the potatoes soften further (this time is flexible - cooking the potatoes longer will allow them to be more creamy and melt into the soup.)
Remove the thyme bundle and stir in the beans. Warm through, about five minutes. Taste to adjust salt and pepper seasoning as needed. Garnish with parmesan and fresh thyme leaves if desired.
Store in a lidded container in the refrigerator for up to three days. This soup is freezer friendly. Freeze in individual containers for lunch portion servings or a larger family size container. Thaw overnight in the fridge and gently rewarm on the stovetop.
Recipe Notes
*Olive Oil or Butter: I prefer butter because it adds an added richness to this soup, but if dairy free, olive oil is delicious as well.
**Green or Savoy Cabbage (savory pictured): I like both equally, but the green cabbage is not quite as soft as the savoy and adds a bit more texture with the given cook times.
***For a chunkier soup, reduce the broth by 2 C and add more to your taste.
Recipe adapted from NYT.
So reading this Jan 2019, and your words apply here to. I am resolving to get back to basics – cook and move. I have an internal dialogue cheering myself with “Move Muffin Move!” I hope to be “mini muffin” later this year ;)
Hi Lisa! Thank you for your note… I love your internal dialogue, can I borrow it? I reread this post yesterday as I was preparing dinner and I absolutely couldn’t believe I wrote it in 2017! TWO years ago, Lisa! Sigh…. I hope you enjoy the soup :D GO MINI MUFFIN!
Hi!
Just made this today and it was delicious! My family loved it. What I liked was the simple ingredients and that by making more and more soups it doesn’t feel complicated anymore. I was always intimidated by making broth.
Sending love from Latvia! :)
Health is everything, no? I am so sorry that you have been going through this for a long time. But I am glad you are working with professionals to get help.
Okay so headspace.. It has been on my to-do list for a very long time. I need to try it. Reading that you like it, I am more inclined to giving it a try. Thank you for that.
This soup.. I am a HUGE fan of savoy cabbage. Like you said, it doesn’t stand to high temperatures as well as the green cabbage, but it is just too pretty photograph and eat. Also, your photography in this post is stunning my friend. That last photo takes my breath away. That backlight is a killer! :P
Finally, my goal this year is to start my day with journaling. Have you ever heard of the book called The Artist’s Way? The author of that book calls it the morning pages. I used to write my pages every day while we were in the Caribbean, but after we moved up to the States I stopped doing it. I want to go back to being a regular writer.
If you haven’t heard of the book and looking for a good read, I highly recommend giving it a read.
Much love.. Sending healing positive energy to your way…
I hope you’ll check out Headspace. It’s been SO helpful for me. Taking time out of busy days to care for ourselves is so important. I’ll check out The Artist’s Way – thank you for your recommendation! And thank you for your kind words and support Aysegul!! XO
Love, Love your Recipes! Made many of your tasty recipes and everyone loves them..
Thank you so much Gitta!! :D
A friend of mine made this soup and I loved it! I’m trying to lose some weight and was wondering if you had the nutritional facts for this recipe? Thanks!
Hi Angie! Thank you for your note. I do not have the USDA nutritional facts for this recipe.
Thank you for your response!
Health + mindfulness is a big goal of mine this year too – I’ve been practicing meditation as well, and trying to force myself to do it even when I feel like I don’t have time to sit still for 10 or 20 minutes. Practicing yoga also helps with mindfulness – It’s a work in progress! I feel your pain about the goings-on in our world, but that quote sums it up perfectly. If we stopped to consider everything bad in the world, the sad truth is that happiness would never come. Better to focus on the positive, wonderful things that are going on around us instead…like devouring a big bowl of this soup! It looks fantastic, and so warm and comforting. I’m definitely wanting to slurp up a big bowl!
I’m sorry you didn’t get the big dump of snow! Freezing temperatures aren’t as enjoyable when there isn’t snow to go with it! I hear you on trying to keep with your goals and stay healthy! As it turns out, baby weight doesn’t just melt off and I’ve been struggling trying to get into the mind frame to do something about that! I could probably benefit from eating more hearty soups like this one! It looks amazing and so comforting, Traci! I hope everything keeps getting better for you!
I saw this recipe and knew I had to make it. So many of my favorite things! It tastes great, is easy to make, and all were pleased with this and a baguette. Thank you, and Bravo.
Hey Greg! So happy you enjoyed the recipe with said baguette – a perfect dipping vessel ;) (!!) Thank you for your note!
It sounds like you and are in the same boat Traci! I used to be able to eat anything I wanted, any time of day and I wouldn’t have any issues keeping the weight off! Not so much so now that I’m getting older! Stupid old age! And as you know, the life of a food blogger doesn’t help…at all. I have decided to take more time for myself this year. More time out walking and at the gym and way less carbs (my fave)!! And way more water every day (not my fave unfortunately)!
This looks like the perfect healthy, hearty soup. I love white beans and cabbage and haven’t made myself a pot of bean soup in quite a while. I love how easy this recipe looks too! Good luck with your goals for the year! Hope we both do well!
Hehe… I know, it’s tough Mary Ann!! Glad someone’s in the boat with me ;) . I’m completely with ya… and am so glad to hear your taking more time to yourself this year. That is the first step in caring for ourselves… I know, the carbs thing. And I just started baking sourdough again. But, everything in moderation, right? And yes to water.. I know, I’m bad at that too. I forget. All the best to you too in this new year my dear! We can do it!! xo
I love soups in the winter too, although my husband is not too fond of it, hence I don’t make it often! I love your hearty soup with the goodness of the vegetables and protein from the beans! Looks really delicious! I bought some leeks – I hope I can make leek and potato soup, one that my husband likes ;)
I hear you and your struggles, and wish you all the best in achieving your goals for this year. Meditation and Yoga will certainly help. I have become a bit slack too in my exercise regime. One of my goals is to lose weight this year. And I am working towards it. I have been juicing and it is working well in the sense, I feel good! I hope I can continue too :)
Oh Noooooo!! Not fond of soup? How do you deal?! OMG. Why is it that exercise seems to always go first? It becomes the lowest priority when it should be right up at the top!? I guess there’s so many competing priorities.. it’s tough! But hooray for taking care of yourself and your feeling good! Hope is powerful! xo
Just discovered your blog, so beautiful!! I’ve actually just recently started using Headspace and have been loving it!! I’m so excited to try some of your gorgeous recipes :)
Thank you so much for your kind words, Ali! Headspace is great! His voice just sucks me in! :D
I’ve kind of fallen off my exercise regimen, too. You’re so right, it IS a snowball effect – you exercise less, so you have less energy, so you don’t feel motivated to exercise. Woof. But here’s to both of us getting back on that train!! Sending hugs, Traci <3
Augh! Woof, woof, right Sarah!? I’m on that train with ya, girrrl! xo
Give me all your soup, Traci! We’re having a great winter – rainy and cold (for us) weather – something that we haven’t had for 4 years. So soup is on the menu a lot for me too. As for goals – it’s always hard to get motivated but I got a fitbit charge 2 for Christmas and that has really got me up and moving. Its counts steps, stairs, buzzes if you haven’t moved in a set amount of time and has a meditation setting! Also, the dog gets me out – even when it’s raining – since she’s a loony without a long walk. So here’s to 2017 – meeting our goals, taking care of our health, being mindful of those around us and inner peace! xo
And you too, Geraldine! I’ve been eyen’ your lentil chili lately! So happy to hear the rain is back! This will certainly help with fire suppression. Our wildlands and wildlife needs it! And the fitbit is helping!? That’s awesome about the meditation setting… I’m so glad you told me. Haha, loony without a long walk. I can relate!!! Yes, we’re in this together, Geraldine! I’m with ya! xo
I feel like we all struggle with these things too! I feel like soups always set me back on track, especially ones that are loaded with all the best beans and greens! :)
It’s the human struggle, right… always adjusting, learning, growing, tweaking how we walk through life to create inner calm and cope with struggle better. And a good loaded soup helps us along our path. ;)
I love how healthy yet soul-warming this soup is. Cabbage and beans is what my body needs right now! (Easy on the hurting post-christmas wallet too) Making this beauty this weekend. Thanks for sharing your goals with us Traci! <3
Yeah, right on, Meredith! Cabbage is economical as are beans and potatoes. I dare say that cabbage is comfort food… a big pot of steaming cabbage soothes the soul. I hope you enjoy it my dear.
I’m eager to give this soup a try. So simple with ingredients that are available to anyone and not too many of them. I like uncomplicated food. It’s easier to taste five ingredients than twenty. You might consider adding yoga to your life. There’s a detox yoga DVD by Maya Fiennes that’s wonderful and doesn’t contain a lot of getting up and down to do.
I’m going to be 7o this year. I have to say that I am so looking forward to the changes coming. Usually people my age hate change, but I’ve learned that they happen regardless, why fight a losing battle. Besides, our country needs a good shaking up. It’s been stagnant for far too long. Besides, nothing remains the same. At 70, I’ve lived through 3 marriages -good and bad- and a great many other things. You lose your looks, you lose your friends, you lose your family, but you gain a plethora of wisdom. Wisdom is very calming, as is aging. I am embracing it and looking forward to all it brings, with lots of soup!
Simple, yes and hearty Nancy. That’s what I love about it too. I started yoga last year. I practice once a week with a group, and also at home. I grow to appreciate it more with each practice. No doubt embracing change (acceptance) will support a more fulfilled life. It’s something that I’m growing into and am getting better at. Wisdom… calming indeed. Thank you for sharing, Nancy. I hope you enjoy the soup :D
What is an alternative for the potatoes?
Hi Hannah. I’m sorry I don’t have a suggestion for an alternative for the potatoes. You can leave them out if you wish. Just reduce the cooking time. Your soup will be ready in no time!
I love your idea of being mindful while cooking soup and making it a calming experience! Too often I’m rushing around in the kitchen and not paying attention to the process. This soup looks so good for a cold day, perfect for pairing with a slice of warm homemade bread- yum!
It’s the best, Mel! You know the app, Headspace, I referred to? There’s a meditation on cooking! :D
No way! That sounds right up my alley, I’ll have to get that app :)
Hooray!!