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Creamy Cabbage Soup

Featured in Cozy Comfort Food Classics.

Creamy Cabbage Soup transforms humble ingredients into a luxurious comfort food experience. This hearty soup begins with a flavorful base of fresh cabbage, sweet onions, carrots, and celery simmered in chicken broth until tender. What makes this soup special is its velvety texture, achieved by creating a roux with butter and flour, then gradually incorporating half-and-half and milk for richness. Chunks of savory ham add protein and a salty contrast to the mild vegetables, while dried thyme brings an earthy aromatic element that ties everything together. The result is a satisfying bowl that balances creamy indulgence with nutritious vegetables. Perfect for chilly evenings, this soup comes together in under an hour yet tastes like it's been simmering all day. Serve with crusty bread for a complete meal that's both comforting and nourishing.
Comfort Cravings Recipes
Updated on Tue, 04 Mar 2025 21:25:46 GMT
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This creamy cabbage soup transforms humble ingredients into an extraordinary comfort food experience that satisfies deep cravings for warmth and nourishment. The velvety texture comes from a perfectly executed cream sauce that envelops tender cabbage, sweet carrots, and savory ham in each spoonful. Unlike many cabbage dishes that announce themselves with strong aromas, this soup offers a gentle invitation through its subtle fragrance and rich appearance. The balanced flavors build with each taste, revealing layers of complexity that belie the simplicity of its ingredients. This unpretentious soup proves that everyday vegetables can become something truly special with the right technique.

I discovered this soup through my grandmother's handwritten recipe collection after inheriting her treasured recipe box. Initially skeptical about combining cabbage with cream, I decided to honor her memory by preparing it exactly as written. My first spoonful completely changed my understanding of what cabbage could become. Now it's my signature winter offering when friends visit, and nobody believes the main ingredient is cabbage until I reveal the secret.

Premium Components

  • Fresh cabbage: Forms the foundation with its subtle sweetness. Choose heavy heads with crisp, tightly packed leaves
  • Yellow onions: Provide aromatic depth and caramelized complexity
  • Carrots: Add natural sweetness and vibrant color contrast. Select firm, bright orange specimens
  • Celery: Contributes herbal notes and texture. Include leaves for concentrated flavor
  • High quality chicken broth: Forms the flavor foundation. Homemade or organic preferred

The quality of butter makes a remarkable difference. European-style butter with higher fat content elevates richness for special occasions without significantly increasing cost.

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Culinary Process

Prepare Vegetable Base:
Simmer chopped cabbage, onions, carrots, and celery in broth until fork-tender (20 minutes)
Create Silky Sauce:
Make roux with butter and flour. Whisk in half-and-half and milk until thickened
Combine With Finesse:
Blend cream sauce into vegetables. Add ham and thyme. Simmer gently 10 minutes
Season With Precision:
Adjust salt/pepper gradually. Add fresh thyme last for aromatic preservation

My father, a lifelong cabbage skeptic, became an instant convert after trying this soup. It has since transformed countless 'cabbage haters' into enthusiasts.

Perfect Pairings

Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping. Complement with apple-walnut salad dressed in light vinaigrette. For starters, keep portions modest to preserve appetite for subsequent courses.

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Creative Variations

Use Napa cabbage for extra tenderness. Add summer corn kernels or winter potatoes for seasonal twists. Create vegetarian versions with smoked paprika and vegetable broth.

Storage Solutions

Refrigerate up to 4 days - thickens when chilled. Reheat with milk/broth to restore consistency. Freeze vegetable base separately for best results.

This soup's magic lies in transforming humble cabbage into unrecognizable luxury. Its preparation ritual has become as comforting as the dish itself - marking the true arrival of comfort food season in our home.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this cabbage soup ahead of time?
Yes! This soup actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors have time to meld. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
→ Can I freeze this creamy cabbage soup?
While you can freeze this soup, cream-based soups can sometimes separate or become grainy when thawed. If you plan to freeze it, consider making it without the cream and milk, freezing the base, then adding the dairy components when reheating. If you do freeze the completed soup, reheat it very gently and whisk well to recombine.
→ What can I substitute for the ham?
This soup is versatile! Try bacon, kielbasa, smoked sausage, or even shredded chicken for different flavor profiles. For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, then add extra vegetables or white beans for substance.
→ Can I use a different type of milk to make this soup?
Yes, you can adjust the dairy based on what you have on hand. For a richer soup, use all half-and-half or even heavy cream. For a lighter version, use all whole milk. Non-dairy alternatives like unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk will change the flavor profile but can work well too.
→ What's the best type of cabbage to use in this soup?
Green cabbage is the standard choice for this recipe, but you can also use savoy cabbage for a more delicate texture or napa cabbage for a milder flavor. Red cabbage would work too, but it will give your soup a purple hue.
→ What can I serve with this creamy cabbage soup?
This hearty soup pairs perfectly with crusty bread, dinner rolls, or garlic bread for dipping. For a more substantial meal, serve with a side salad dressed with vinaigrette to balance the creaminess of the soup. It also goes well with a simple sandwich for a classic soup-and-sandwich combo.

Creamy Cabbage Soup

A hearty Creamy Cabbage Soup featuring tender vegetables and ham in a velvety broth - the ultimate comfort food that's ready in under an hour.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
40 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes

Category: Comfort Food

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Soup Base

01 4 cups chicken broth
02 2 celery stalks, chopped
03 ½ medium head of cabbage, shredded
04 1 sweet onion, chopped
05 1 carrot, peeled and chopped

→ Creamy Roux

06 ¼ cup unsalted butter
07 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
08 1 teaspoon salt
09 ¼ teaspoon black pepper
10 2 cups half and half cream
11 1 cup milk

→ Finishing Touches

12 2 cups cooked ham, cubed
13 ½ teaspoon dried thyme
14 Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Step 01

In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, combine the chicken broth, chopped celery, shredded cabbage, chopped onion, and chopped carrot. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until all the vegetables are tender when pierced with a fork.

Step 02

While the vegetables are simmering, stir together the half and half cream and milk in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Step 03

In a separate medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour, salt, and pepper. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon or whisk until the mixture forms a smooth paste, about 1-2 minutes. This is your roux, which will thicken the soup.

Step 04

Gradually pour the cream and milk mixture into the roux, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Continue to cook and stir over medium heat until the sauce reaches your desired thickness, about 5-7 minutes. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon.

Step 05

Slowly pour the cream sauce into the pot with the vegetables, stirring constantly to incorporate. Add the cubed ham and dried thyme, stirring to distribute evenly throughout the soup. Heat through for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 06

Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately with crusty bread for a complete meal.

Notes

  1. This soup thickens as it cools, so you may need to add a splash more broth or milk when reheating leftovers.
  2. For extra flavor, try using a smoked ham or adding a ham bone while the vegetables simmer.
  3. This soup is an excellent way to use up leftover holiday ham.

Tools You'll Need

  • Dutch oven or large soup pot
  • Medium saucepan
  • Wooden spoon
  • Whisk
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (butter, half and half, milk)
  • Contains gluten (all-purpose flour)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 217
  • Total Fat: 15 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 10 g
  • Protein: 12 g