Cabbage Soup with Lemon-Dill and White Beans

Amy Hand

Amy Hand

Amy worked as the head pastry chef at multiple restaurants in South Africa. She now shares her professional insights about cooking and kitchen tools here at The Skillful Cook.

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A flavorful cabbage soup with lemon-dill and white beans, perfect for a healthy, comforting meal any time of year.
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This lemon-dill cabbage and white bean soup champions ingredients that are usually disappointingly underrated. It is bright, herbaceous, and satisfying.

Cabbage soup on its own can sound boring but, if you season it and flavor it with care, it can turn into a dish you make again and again.

cabbage soup is a dish you make again and again

This soup has bright lemony flavors, fragrant dill, and creamy white beans that level up this simple dish. 

This soup is the ideal dish to make on a cold winter day to warm you from the inside out. It feels indulgent but it’s actually very healthy so it’s a win-win meal!

ideal dish to make on a cold winter day

Why you will love this Cabbage soup recipe…

  • Bright and fresh- The lemon and dill give the soup a freshness that boosts the cabbage’s flavor.
  • Light but satisfying- The white beans add creaminess but the lack of dairy makes it far less heavy.
  • Quick and simple– This is a one-pot recipe that takes just 35 minutes.
  • Customizable– Switch things up by adding chicken, tofu, or even a handful of orzo pasta.
  • Champions an underrated ingredient- Cabbage has never looked so good!
Why you will love this Cabbage soup recipe

Cabbage Soup with Lemon-Dill and White Beans

Who said cabbage needs to be boring? This cabbage soup is light, zesty, and nutritious.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 76 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
  • 4 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 1 can (15 oz) white beans (cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed
  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
  • 1 tsp dried dill (or 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped)
  • 1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ red pepper flakes for a bit of heat (optional)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions
 

Ingredients

  • Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and carrot, and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  • Stir in the sliced cabbage, salt, and black pepper. Let it cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to soften and wilt.
  • Pour in the broth and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the white beans and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and dill. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
  • Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve with crusty bread for dipping.

Nutrition

Calories 76kcal (4%)Carbohydrates 8g (3%)Protein 1g (2%)Fat 5g (8%)Saturated Fat 1g (6%)Polyunsaturated Fat 1gMonounsaturated Fat 3gSodium 1031mg (45%)Potassium 156mg (4%)Fiber 2g (8%)Sugar 4g (4%)Vitamin A 2092IU (42%)Vitamin C 20mg (24%)Calcium 33mg (3%)Iron 0.5mg (3%)
Keyword Cabbage Soup, White Bean Soup
Tried this recipe?Let us know if you liked it in the comments below!

Serving Suggestions

This cabbage soup is so hearty and filling it can be served as a soup course in small portions or a main in a larger portion.

You can pair it with toasted sourdough or focaccia. Top it with a dollop of Greek yogurt or crumbled feta for an extra tangy touch.

Here are a few bread recipes if you want to make your own to dip in the soup:

This cabbage soup is so hearty and filling

🧑‍🍳 Expert Tips

  • Keep it vegetarian. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • Use fresh dill. It adds such a fresh herbaceous flavor.
  • Make it richer. Stir in a splash of cream or a pat of butter before serving to make this soup more hearty.
  • Add more veggies. This soup is easy to adapt with other veggies like zucchini or celery to make it even more veggie-packed.

Storage Suggestions

  • To store- Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • To reheat- Place the soup into a small pot and heat over medium heat until it bubbles.
  • To freeze- Transfer the soup to a freezer-safe container and label it with the date. Freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight when you are ready to use it.
This soup is easy to adapt with other veggies

Cabbage Soup FAQs

What are the benefits of white cabbage soup?

Cabbage is renowned for boosting the immune system because of its high levels of vitamin C. It also contains antioxidants which help fight many illnesses.

Why does my cabbage soup taste so bland? 

The reason soup can be bland is because it’s not well flavored or seasoned. Make sure you add enough salt and pepper to highlight the soup’s flavor. This recipe has been designed with key flavors like dill and lemon to make sure this soup is far from bland.

Amy Hand
About the author
After finding the chef life a little too high-paced, Amy decided to take her cooking skills and use them to teach others through food writing. She uses her knowledge as a pastry chef and experience as a head chef to write articles that are engaging and helpful while being as entertaining as possible.

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