Vegan Stuffed Cabbage Soup
All the cozy, soul-warming flavors of classic stuffed cabbage rolls come together in one big pot here, no rolling or fussing required. Tender green cabbage, hearty green lentils, and rice simmer in a deeply spiced tomato broth built on sweet and smoked paprika, thyme, and a generous base of sautéed onion, carrots, and celery. Tomato paste is cooked down until it darkens and clings to the vegetables before the broth goes in, which gives the whole soup a richness that tastes like it simmered all day. A finishing splash of apple cider vinegar and a touch of maple syrup pull everything into balance — bright, savory, and just a little sweet. Every single ingredient is plant-based, so there's nothing to swap or substitute; the lentils and rice do the heavy lifting to make each bowl genuinely filling. This recipe makes six servings, so it's ideal for meal prep or feeding a crowd on a cold night. Finish with a handful of fresh parsley and you've got a bowl that looks as good as it tastes.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed
- ½ cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
- ½ medium head green cabbage, cored and roughly chopped (about 4 cups)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper, plus more to taste
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and the onion is translucent, about 6–8 minutes.
- 2
Add the garlic, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
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