A delicious, healthy and easy cabbage soup recipe that’s ready in under 15 minutes.
Cabbage Soup is a bit of an acquired taste. I didn’t like it as a kid but I love it now. Especially versions that have sauerkraut in them. That salty briny cabbage is one of my favorite things.

Cabbage And Caraway Seeds
This soup also has caraway seeds, which I love. In fact, I love caraway seeds so much that I’ve been known to sprinkle them onto slices of buttered rye bread to make that flavor stronger. And I’ve also sprinkled them on cheese to approximate the caraway-studded Havarti my parents used to buy when I was a kid. I can’t find it at our stores so this DIY version is the only way to do it.
Caraway seeds taste especially good with cabbage which is why I decided to add them here. I’ll take any excuse!
Making Cabbage Soup Quicker
Today’s Cabbage Soup is part of my SOUPin15 series, meaning that it’s a homemade soup that’s ready in under 15 minutes. The SouperTip that makes it ready so quickly is to use a bagged coleslaw mix containing shredded cabbage and carrots. You won’t use a dressing here though. You’re just taking advantage of the thinly sliced cabbage and carrot mixture.
Using the coleslaw mixture is great for two reasons. First, you don’t have to do anything to prep the cabbage and carrots other than open the bag. Second, it’s all very thinly sliced so it cooks really quickly.
This soup is cabbage based and so it uses a lot of the coleslaw mix (a whole bag). But you can add a smaller amount to any soup to boost its healthy vegetable component. It’s great in tomato-based soups. For instance, it would be really wonderful added to this Bean and Bacon Soup or added to this Hearty Tomato Potato Soup.
I really do love that bagged cabbage mix. So convenient in so many things. And it means I can make cabbage soup whenever I want!
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Quick Cabbage Soup
- Prep Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
DESCRIPTION
A delicious, healthy and easy cabbage soup recipe that’s ready in under 15 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 6 cups low or no-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- 16 oz. shredded coleslaw mix (with green cabbage, red cabbage and carrots)
- 1 large onion
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tsp. caraway seeds
- 1/2 tsp. coarse black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 2 and 1/2 cups canned or jarred sauerkraut (measured before draining)
Instructions
- Put the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Measure the chicken broth into a large microwave-safe bowl and put it in the microwave for 6 minutes. To the olive oil add the shredded coleslaw mix. Stir and cover.
- Chop the onion. Add it to the cabbage. Stir and cover.
- Mince the garlic clove. Add it to the pot along with the caraway seeds, pepper and salt.
- Stir and cover, continuing to let it cook until the broth has finished heating in the microwave.
- Add the hot broth the to cabbage mixture. Increase heat to high. Stir and cover until it comes to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer. Use a colander to drain the sauerkraut. Add it to the soup. Continue to simmer the soup until the cabbage is tender, about 5 more minutes. Season with more salt and pepper to taste.

Hope says
Amazing!! I made it today and it’s so quick! Took me 20 minutes..I added more salt and pepper at the end but that’s just my taste..I will definitely make it again! And it’s also a perfect amount for leftovers as I’m the only one who eats it..My son doesn’t like cabbage but that’s totally fine with me!
★★★★★
Christine Pittman says
More for you then, Hope! :) Thanks for taking time to comment.
Lyndsay Jones says
Loved this soup!!!the sauerkraut totally makes it! Also loved the caraway seeds!! I only had 1L of chicken broth so I added a 28oz can of organic tomatoes. I also used a head of cabbage instead of slaw mix because I had it on hand. Thanks for the recipe!!!!
Christine Pittman says
Lyndsay, Thanks so much for letting me know! I love the idea of adding canned tomatoes. I’m going to try that next time for sure!
Mega Sardines says
All of these is new to me, never tried the soups that you shared. It is a good thing especially to find new recipes like these.
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says
I know my family would love this soup! So comforting and delicious!
Nutmeg Nanny says
I love cabbage soup! We always made it growing up and my mom would freeze half of it for the middle of winter. It’s so hearty and delicious :)
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
I love the caraway seeds in this!! Love cabbage in all forms.
Susan@LunaCafe says
Just what I need! Even though I am in the OtherWorldly Kitchen creating dishes all day, I often get to 6:00 with nothing in the works for DINNER. Crazy, right? And although I eschew those packages of prepared cabbage for salads (much prefer to start with a whole head), I think they would be great for soup. Thank you for the awesome ideas. Running to the store now to grab a bag of cabbage. :-)
★★★★★
Christine Pittman says
Susan, I feel exactly the same way. When I make coleslaw, I usually start with a whole head. But for having on hand to add to green salads, or for adding to soups and stews, the bagged cabbage is fab.
Alisa Fleming says
This looks SO warm and nourishing! I just realized I’ve never used caraway seeds – this recipe might be a good first excuse.