French Onion Cabbage Soup

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This French onion cabbage soup is a creative twist on the classic, bringing a new level of comfort to this warming soup. This version swaps out some of the onion for caramelized cabbage. The savory broth, infused with sweet onions and topped with cheesy croutons, remains just as satisfying, but with a veggie-packed twist.

Active Time:
55 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 15 mins
Servings:
6
  • The cabbage and onions in this soup are packed with nutrients for better gut and eye health.
  • Using whole-wheat baguettes adds fiber to keep you full and energized.
  • Cooking cabbage in two batches helps it brown more evenly and quickly.

French Onion Cabbage Soup takes a classic to a whole new level. Antioxidant-rich cabbage and onions become melt-in-your-mouth caramelized, providing a sweetness that is balanced out by the acidity of the vinegar and thyme’s herbal notes. Toasty whole-wheat baguette croutons and ooey-gooey Gruyère cheese provide the perfect topping for this rich, brothy soup. Keep reading for our expert tips, including why you should cook the cabbage and onion in two batches.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • Cooking the cabbage and onion in two batches is important because cabbage contains a lot of water. If you try to cook it all at once, it will steam and take a long time to brown.
  • Be cautious when toasting the croutons, as they can quickly go from golden to burnt in just a few seconds.
  • When thinly slicing the cabbage, it can be helpful to cut it into quarters and separate the layers to make the pieces lay flatter.
  • The reduced-sodium soy sauce gives this soup an umami flavor. If you are not following a vegetarian diet, you can use unsalted beef stock and Worcestershire sauce instead of soy sauce.

Nutrition Notes

  • Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable that has been linked to numerous health benefits. These include a stronger immune system, better gut and eye health, reduced inflammation and lower cancer risk. These benefits are due to the nutrients in cabbage, including antioxidants, fiber and vitamins C and K.  
  • Onions provide similar potential health benefits as cabbage, like reduced cancer risk and a healthier gut and eyes. Onions may also have antibacterial properties, helping to fend off harmful bacteria. And regularly eating onions may support your heart health, too.  
  • Whole-wheat baguettes are made from whole-wheat flour, which contains the wheat kernels’ nutrients. Whole-wheat bread provides complex carbohydrates for energy, fiber to help fill you up and keep things moving through your gut, and vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins, which help your body use food for energy.
an image of the ingredients to make French Onion Cabbage Soup

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood, Food Stylist: Sally McKay

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings

  • 6 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

  • 1 small head green cabbage, cored and thinly sliced (about 16 cups), divided

  • 1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced (about 3 cups), divided

  • 3 tablespoons cider vinegar, divided

  • cups unsalted vegetable broth

  • 1 teaspoon reduced-sodium soy sauce

  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, plus more for garnish

  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper, plus more for garnish

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • 5 cups cubed whole-wheat baguette (½-inch)

  • ¾ cup shredded Gruyère cheese

Directions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add half of the cabbage (about 8 cups) and onion (about 1½ cups); cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are light golden brown, about 15 minutes. Add 1½ tablespoons vinegar; cook, scraping browned bits from the bottom of the pan using a wooden spoon, for 1 minute. Transfer the mixture to a medium heatproof bowl; set aside, uncovered. (Do not wipe the pot clean). Repeat the process with 2 tablespoons oil and the remaining cabbage (about 8 cups), onion (about 1½ cups) and 1½ tablespoons vinegar.

    an image of the cabbage browning in the pan

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood, Food Stylist: Sally McKay

  2. Return all of the vegetables to the pot. Add 7½ cups broth, 1 teaspoon each soy sauce, thyme and pepper and ¼ teaspoon salt; bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium; cook, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage and onion are tender and the flavors are blended, about 15 minutes.

    an image of the broth added to the cabbage

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood, Food Stylist: Sally McKay

  3. About 5 minutes before serving, preheat oven to broil with rack in middle position. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil. Add 5 cups bread and the remaining 2 tablespoons oil; toss until the bread is coated in oil; spread in an even layer. Broil, stirring once, until toasted, about 2 minutes. Push the bread cubes together and sprinkle with ¾ cup cheese; broil until the croutons are crisp and the cheese is melted, about 1 minute. Ladle the soup into 6 bowls; top with croutons. Garnish with additional thyme and pepper, if desired.

    an image of the bread and the cheese before broiling

    Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood, Food Stylist: Sally McKay

an image of the French Onion Cabbage Soup served in a bowl

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood, Food Stylist: Sally McKay

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I substitute the green cabbage for a different variety?

    Of course. You can easily substitute in red cabbage, as it has the same shape and flavor, or you can opt for milder-tasting Savoy cabbage, which would work in this recipe as well.

  • How should I store and reheat French Onion Cabbage Soup?

    The soup will stay fresh for 3 to 4 days if you keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When reheating, you can use covered microwave-safe containers and heat for 2 to 3 minutes, pausing to stir and test the temperature. Alternatively, you can reheat the soup on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently. Another option is to bake it, covered, for about 10 to 20 minutes—you can bake it in one oven-safe dish or individual ramekins or crocks.

  • What should I serve with French Onion Cabbage Soup?

    You can keep the meal simple and serve it alongside Herb & Arugula Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette or Massaged Kale Salad and some warm dinner rolls.

EatingWell.com, October 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

386 Calories
19g Fat
47g Carbs
13g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size about 1½ cups soup & ¾ cup croutons
Calories 386
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 47g 17%
Dietary Fiber 10g 36%
Total Sugars 17g
Added Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 13g 26%
Total Fat 19g 24%
Saturated Fat 5g 24%
Cholesterol 16mg 5%
Vitamin A 525µg
Vitamin C 158mg 175%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 2mg 16%
Folate 166µg
Vitamin K 469µg
Sodium 548mg 24%
Calcium 384mg 30%
Iron 1mg 8%
Magnesium 98mg 23%
Potassium 1090mg 23%
Zinc 2mg 17%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 1g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.