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Protein Packed Cabbage Soup - Hearty, Lean, and Satisfying

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey or chicken (93% lean or higher)
  • 1 small green cabbage (about 1.5 pounds), cored and sliced thinly
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced (optional for sweetness)
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, with juices
  • 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans or great northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill, for finishing
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon (about 1 tablespoon), to brighten

Method
 

  1. Prep your produce. Dice onion, carrots, and celery. Mince garlic. Core and thinly slice the cabbage. Rinse and drain the beans.
  2. Sauté the aromatics. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery with a pinch of salt. Cook 5–6 minutes, stirring, until softened and fragrant.
  3. Add garlic and spices. Stir in garlic, smoked paprika, oregano, cumin, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook 30–60 seconds until the spices bloom and smell toasty.
  4. Brown the protein. Add ground turkey or chicken. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink and lightly browned, about 5–7 minutes.
  5. Build the base. Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute to caramelize slightly. Add diced tomatoes with juices and bell pepper, if using. Mix well.
  6. Add cabbage and broth. Pile in the sliced cabbage (it will shrink) and pour in the broth. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
  7. Simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover partially, and simmer 15–20 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender but not limp.
  8. Add beans and adjust seasoning. Stir in the beans and simmer 5 more minutes to warm through. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
  9. Finish bright. Turn off the heat. Stir in lemon juice and fresh parsley or dill. The acidity wakes up the flavors.
  10. Serve. Ladle into bowls. For extra richness, you can drizzle a little olive oil on top or add a spoonful of Greek yogurt.