Enjoy 20% off with a $60 purchase on our Garden Tools this week. 

Order Your Almanac Today!

Peel-a-Pound Soup (Diet Cabbage Soup)

Peel-a-Pound Soup
Photo Credit
Sam Jones/Quinn Brein
The Editors
Yield
6 to 8 servings
Category
Soups, Stews, Chowders
Course
Appetizers
Main Dish
Side Dishes
Soup
Special Considerations
Low Fat
Meatless
Preparation Method
Boil
Credit
Ruth Southwick Willington Baptist Church, Willington, CT
Sources
Yankee Magazine Church Suppers and Potluck Dinners Cookbook
Print Friendly and PDF

Have you ever heard of the “Cabbage Soup Diet”? Some folks claim this Peel-a-Pound Soup is a great way to lose pounds after the holidays. Diet claims aside, this is a delicious, filling soup that we never tire of, and it’s packed with vegetables, including cabbage, onions, and tomatoes. It also smells fantastic. 

You might remember this soup as the “Diet Cabbage Soup” from years ago. We leave that diet advice to your doctor, but you won’t find a much healthier soup if you want to keep your cholesterol low, stave off hunger pains, eat a more plant-based diet, or flush out your system. Plus, it’s a warming soup that hits the spot on a cold day!

Peel A Pound Soup is easy to make with what you have on hand. Add some lean protein, such as leftover turkey.

Ingredients
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 onions, chopped
1 head green cabbage, shredded
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 can (16 ounces) tomatoes, with liquid, chopped
3 bouillon cubes
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon celery seeds
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 cups diced cooked turkey (or lean hamburger)
Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients except meat in a pot, adding enough water to cover the vegetables completely. 
  2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
  3.  Thirty minutes before cooking time ends, add meat. Serve hot.
About The Author

The Old Farmer's Almanac Editors

We love introducing fun new recipes as well as time-tested recipes, straight from the archives! Read More from The Old Farmer's Almanac Editors
 

What's cooking in The Old Farmer's Store?
More Like This
No content available.

Comments

Traveler5930 (not verified)

10 months 2 weeks ago

Can red cabbage replace the green since it is supposedly better for you?

Hi there. You can sub red cabbage in this soup, but keep in mind that green cabbage has a more mild flavor than red. While we would recommend sticking to the green cabbage, which is nutritionally very good, we always encourage experimenting with recipes. 

Mike (not verified)

10 months 2 weeks ago

Two thumbs down. Love cabbage and cabbage soup but not this one. Too bland.

Paula (not verified)

10 months 2 weeks ago

I agree with Hopflower. "if Yankee Magazine could start putting in the nutrition facts on their recipes. It would be most helpful.

hopflower (not verified)

10 months 2 weeks ago

The basic recipe is very attractive; except for the bouillon cubes, which are full of salt. Our diet in this country today is not heart healthy because of too much sodium; I would recommend a low sodium or no sodium chicken broth (or whichever flavor you wish) and adding your own salt. Also, I wonder if Yankee Magazine could start putting in the nutrition facts on their recipes. It would be most helpful.

Ellen (not verified)

1 year 9 months ago

I have been making this for years, but truly love it with hot Italian sausage rather than the ground turkey or beef. Increase the protein by also adding a can of kidney beans. It’s a family favorite!

BB (not verified)

1 year 10 months ago

Heads up... the ingredients list is missing the carrots.

elissa (not verified)

1 year 10 months ago

How many calories are in this soup? A nutritional fact label would be so useful!

Karen Harrison (not verified)

1 year 10 months ago

I would like to try this recipe....can you clarify whether the 3 bouillon cubes are chicken or beef?

Thanks!

Hi, Karen. I believe the flavor of the boullion cubes would depend on what meat you decide to use; beef, chicken or turkey. If you're using turkey, I would suggest using the chicken boullion. I hope this helps.
Have a great New Year!