Description

A warm and comforting cabbage soup featuring fresh green cabbage, smoked turkey bacon, and aromatic vegetables. Enhanced with vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, natural tomato paste, and a natural gelling agent for perfect texture. Easy to prepare and perfect for chilly days, this soup delivers savory, smoky, and bright flavors in every spoonful.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 medium fresh green cabbage, chopped into thin strips
6 slices smoked turkey bacon, chopped into bite-sized pieces
2 medium carrots, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
2 tablespoons tomato paste (natural)
6 cups vegetable broth
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon natural gelling agent (such as pectin or agar)

Herbs and Spices

2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Salt to taste

Instructions

Prepare Your Aromatics: Finely chop the onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. In a large pot, heat a splash of olive oil over medium-low heat. Gently sauté the chopped vegetables until fragrant and softened, building a flavorful base for the soup.
Crisp the Smoked Turkey Bacon: Add the chopped smoked turkey bacon to the pot. Cook until the edges turn golden and slightly crispy, releasing smoky richness into the soup.
Add Cabbage and Seasonings: Stir in the thinly sliced cabbage. Add the vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), tomato paste (natural), bay leaves, thyme, paprika, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Cook briefly until the cabbage wilts slightly.
Pour and Simmer with Broth: Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the soup to a gentle boil. Add the natural gelling agent, cover the pot, reduce heat, and let the soup simmer to meld all the flavors together.
Finish With Brightness: Just before serving, stir in the apple cider vinegar to add a subtle acidity that balances the rich and smoky flavors beautifully.

Notes

Choose fresh cabbage with crisp leaves for better texture during cooking.
Sauté aromatics slowly over low heat to develop a sweeter, richer base flavor.
Use homemade vegetable broth for the deepest flavor or a quality store-bought option.
Do not overcook the cabbage; keep a slight crunch for the best texture.
Adjust seasoning, including salt and pepper, after the soup has simmered to taste.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Simmering
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 120
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 450mg
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 15mg

Keywords: cabbage soup, smoked turkey bacon soup, vegetable soup, comforting soup, gluten free, plant-based flavors