When I’m looking for an easy, cozy recipe idea, I turn to veggie loaded soups like cauliflower soup, chicken vegetable soup, slow cooker sweet potato soup and this simple yet satisfying ham and cabbage soup. There’s nothing better than a hearty soup loaded with veggies, and this Polish ham and cabbage soup is always a great bet. It’s satisfying, packed with nutrition and is ready in about 45 minutes. It’s just like the one Grandma makes! Ham and cabbage soup is the perfect lunch or dinner for when you’re wanting something hearty and comforting.
INGREDIENTS FOR HAM AND CABBAGE SOUP
The beauty of this soup is you can really customize it to fit whatever vegetables and protein you already have in the fridge. See suggestions at the end of the post. Here is a list of the ingredients that I typically use when I’m cooking it up.
HOW DO YOU MAKE HAM AND CABBAGE SOUP?
This soup starts with green pepper, onion, celery and carrots which are sautéed in a little butter in a large pot.
Once the veggies are soft, add flour into pot, stirring to coat the vegetables.
Then, add chicken broth and cook on medium-high until boiling.
Now, add cabbage, ham, salt and pepper. Stir until boiling and then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes is up, the soup is ready to serve in bowls and now it’s my favorite part – time to eat!
TIPS
Cut all of the vegetables into similar sizes, so that they cook at the same rate. I prefer to have my veggies in large chunks for a heartier soup. I typically make this soup with chicken broth, but you can also make it with vegetable broth or beef broth. This soup keeps in the refrigerator for up to 3 days which makes it perfect for meal prep.
Soup Variations
My family absolutely loves this soup as is, but you can add other ingredients, depending on your taste preferences or what you already have in the fridge.
Protein: Try this soup with shredded chicken, smoked sausage, ground turkey or extra lean ground beef. Starches: Add some potatoes, pasta, beans, brown rice or quinoa to the soup. Vegetables: You can use your favorite veggies for this soup, some great options include corn, zucchini, butternut squash, broccoli, mushrooms, leeks and spinach.
Is This Recipe Healthy?
Ham and cabbage soup is a great way to get in your veggies and also happens to be a lower-calorie soup. This soup is only 250 calories a serving. Any broth based vegetable soup would be a nice choice if you’re trying to eat healthier. Steer clear of soups that contain higher calorie ingredients such as cream, cream cheese, pasta and cheese. I eat this soup all the time, it’s the absolute best way to get a hefty dose of veggies into your day and it also happens to taste great! Make a batch today and enjoy it all week long for a healthy boost.
How to Cook in the Slow Cooker
This recipe can easily be adapted for use in the slow cooker. Place all of the ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 2 hours. Serve with crusty bread and/or a side salad. Pin for later: browse all cabbage recipes
