Cabbage soup is a delicious and hearty soup that is perfect for fall and winter meals. It is filled with vegetables like cabbage, carrots, onions, and tomatoes that create a savory broth. Cabbage soup is also a very flexible recipe, allowing cooks to customize it to their tastes by adding different seasonings, meats, or making it vegetarian.
Today, we will explore how to make a wonderful cabbage soup recipe with the help of the legendary country music artist, actress, and philanthropist Dolly Parton. While Dolly Parton is best known for her singing, songwriting, and larger-than-life persona, she is also an accomplished cook. She grew up in rural Tennessee helping her mother in the kitchen, which taught her how to cook traditional Southern recipes. Through her words of wisdom and tips, Dolly Parton will guide us in creating the perfect pot of cabbage soup.
Why Make Cabbage Soup?
Cabbage soup offers many benefits that make it a smart choice for a meal:
- It is low in calories and fat, but high in fiber and nutrients.
- The high fiber and vegetable content help fill you up.
- It provides vitamins like Vitamin C, Vitamin K, potassium, and B vitamins.
- The ingredients are affordable and easy to find.
- It is a versatile recipe that can be changed up in many ways.
- Soup freezes well, so you can make a large batch for leftovers.
With so many positives, it is clear why cabbage soup is a staple comfort food during the colder months. The nutritional profile helps keep you satisfied, while the heaping helpings of vegetables give you a dose of key vitamins and minerals. Plus, cabbage soup reheats wonderfully, making it easy to enjoy throughout the week.
Dolly Parton’s Tips for Cabbage Soup Success
According to Dolly Parton, the keys to great tasting cabbage soup are using high quality ingredients, adding the vegetables in stages, and properly seasoning the broth. Here are her top tips:
- Choose fresh, robust vegetables – older, limp cabbage or carrots will lead to less flavor. Get the freshest produce possible.
- Cut the vegetables into small, uniform pieces – this allows them to cook evenly.
- Add the vegetables in batches – hardier items like carrots first. Softer items like tomatoes and cabbage last.
- Sauté the vegetables – cooking them briefly before adding liquid enhances flavor.
- Season each step – add a bit of salt, pepper, and herbs as you go instead of just at the end.
- Simmer slowly – let the soup cook low and slow to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Finish with acidity – splash the soup with vinegar or lemon juice before serving.
Dolly insists that having patience through the process is the real key. Letting the soup simmer away for hours is what takes it from dull to delicious. Follow her guidance and your cabbage soup is sure to be savory and satisfying.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to make a big batch of Dolly Parton’s famous cabbage soup:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Olive oil | 2 tablespoons |
| Yellow onion, diced | 1 onion |
| Carrots, chopped | 3 large carrots |
| Celery, chopped | 2 stalks celery |
| Green cabbage, chopped | 1/2 head cabbage |
| Chicken or vegetable broth | 6 cups |
| Diced tomatoes | 1 14oz. can |
| Tomato paste | 1 tablespoon |
| White beans | 1 15oz. can |
| Italian seasoning | 1 tablespoon |
| Salt and pepper | To taste |
| Parmesan cheese (optional) | 1/4 cup grated |
This ingredient list provides everything you need for a big pot of rich and hearty cabbage soup. The combination of vegetables, beans, tomato, and broth creates a nice balance of flavors. Feel free to customize by adding chicken, different beans, or additional seasonings.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now we are ready to learn how to make cabbage soup, with guidance from Dolly Parton herself. Follow these step-by-step instructions:
- Sauté the onion, carrots, and celery: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened.
- Add the cabbage: Next, stir in the chopped green cabbage. Cook for 3-4 more minutes.
- Pour in broth and tomatoes: Add the vegetable or chicken broth and the can of diced tomatoes, including the juice. Also stir in the tomato paste. Bring the liquid to a boil.
- Season the soup: This is a key step, according to Dolly! Add the Italian seasoning, a few generous pinches of salt and pepper, to taste. Let the soup simmer for a few minutes so the seasonings infuse.
- Add beans: Pour in the can of beans into the pot. You can use white beans, kidney beans, or chickpeas.
- Let simmer: Turn down the heat to low and allow the soup to simmer for 1-2 hours. This allows the flavors to blend together beautifully.
- Adjust seasoning: Before serving, taste the soup. Add any additional salt, pepper, or herbs if needed to your preferences.
- Finish with acidity (optional): To brighten up the flavors, you can stir in a splash of vinegar or lemon juice.
- Ladle into bowls and garnish: Use a ladle to scoop the cabbage soup carefully into bowls. Top with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Be sure to let the soup simmer long enough, at least one hour, for everything to cook through and meld together. The hands-off time allows the ingredients to break down and infuse for full flavor.
Variations
One of the great things about cabbage soup is how flexible it is. Feel free to change up the recipe to suit your tastes. Here are some delicious variations to try:
- Beef cabbage soup – Brown 1 lb ground beef with the aromatic veggies, then proceed with recipe.
- Chicken cabbage soup– Shred and add 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
- Sausage cabbage soup – Slice and sauté 1 lb Italian sausage with the onions and carrots.
- Vegetable cabbage soup – Substitute vegetable broth and omit beans for a vegetarian take.
- Cabbage and potato soup – Dice 4 russet potatoes with skins and add to soup.
- Minestrone soup – Use cabbage instead of lettuce and add macaroni noodles.
- Slow cooker soup – Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook on low 6-8 hours.
Feel free to use any combination of meats and vegetables that suits your family’s tastes. The basic formula of broth, cabbage, and tomatoes makes a great foundation for customization.
Tips for Reheating
One of the benefits of making a big batch of cabbage soup is enjoying delicious leftovers all week long. Here are Dolly Parton’s top reheating tips:
- Store soup in an airtight container in the fridge up to one week.
- Reheat in the microwave in 1-2 minute intervals, stirring between.
- You can also reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring frequently.
- For the best texture, add a splash of broth or water when reheating.
- If soup seems too thick, thin it with extra broth, milk, or cream.
- Add any additional seasoning or herbs before serving.
With Dolly’s reheating methods, you’ll have cabbage soup that tastes just as delicious on day 5 as it did on day 1. Be sure to let it come to a simmer and allow flavors to meld again. Enjoy your leftovers!
Storage
To store leftover cabbage soup:
- Let the soup cool completely before storing.
- Transfer to airtight containers or resealable plastic bags.
- Make sure to press out any excess air before sealing.
- Properly stored soup will keep 5-7 days in the fridge or 2-3 months in the freezer.
- Label containers with name and date for easy identification.
- Consume refrigerated soup within 5-7 days for best quality and safety.
By keeping your cabbage soup fresh in the fridge or freezer, you’ll always have a hearty and healthy meal ready to enjoy when hunger strikes.
Nutrition
Here is the nutrition information for a 248g serving of Dolly Parton’s cabbage soup:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 85 |
| Protein | 4g |
| Fat | 1g |
| Carbohydrates | 14g |
| Fiber | 4g |
| Sodium | 465mg |
As you can see, Dolly Parton’s cabbage soup is low in calories, fat, and sodium. But it provides a sizable dose of filling fiber, keeping you satisfied. The vegetables provide an array of vitamins and minerals like Vitamins A, C, and K. This soup makes for a nutritious, hearty meal without weighing you down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about cooking up the perfect pot of cabbage soup? Here are some common questions with answers:
What type of cabbage should I use?
Green cabbage is traditional, but you can also use red or savoy cabbage for slight variation in flavor and texture. Avoid using napa cabbage as it has a more delicate texture.
Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
Yes, you can substitute 2-3 chopped fresh tomatoes in place of the canned diced tomatoes. Just make sure to increase cooking time to allow them to break down fully.
What if I can’t find Italian seasoning blend in my store?
No worries! Italian seasoning is simply a blend of common dried herbs. You can substitute a mix of basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme to equal about 1 tablespoon.
Is it necessary to add vinegar or lemon juice at the end?
While this step is optional, the acidity helps brighten the flavors. Even just 1 teaspoon makes a difference. If avoiding acid, simply skip it.
Can I freeze any leftovers of the soup?
Absolutely! This soup freezes wonderfully for up to 2-3 months. Let cool completely before transferring to freezer bags or containers. Thaw in fridge before reheating.
Conclusion
When made according to Dolly Parton’s special guidance, this cabbage soup is sure to be a major hit. The abundance of hearty vegetables combined with the slow simmering time allows for incredible depth of flavor. Adjust the ingredients and seasonings to cater the soup to your unique tastes. Just be sure to let the soup cook low and slow. Pair your cabbage soup with crusty bread or cornbread for a completely satisfying meal. Thank you Dolly Parton for sharing your secrets to soul-warming, delicious cabbage soup!