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    Home » Soups, Stews and Curries

    Sep 15, 2020

    Keto Cabbage Soup

    Published on Sep 15, 2020. Updated on Jan 21, 2023. By Tayo. This post may contain affiliate links. See Disclosure. 51 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    Vegetable Beef Soup with Cabbage pinterest image

    This keto cabbage soup is a hearty meal full of stewed beef and vegetables that will keep you warm and satisfied! And with only 2 net carbs, this is a soup you can't pass up.

    Vegetable Beef Soup with Cabbage ready to eat
    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love It
    • 🧾 Ingredients Used
    • 🔪 How to make this recipe
    • 🥫 Storing And Reheating
    • 📚 Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why You'll Love It

    I love to eat soups and eat as much as I can because they are so rich and flavorful. I like that I can throw different combinations of vegetables and beef or chicken and can whip up a satisfying soup. It is even more necessary and satisfying when the weather is cold as it helps warm you up from the inside.

    This keto cabbage soup is not only deliciously satisfying but also provides various health benefits due to the vitamins and minerals in the vegetables. For instance, this soup contains 42% of the daily recommended amount of Vitamin C in just one serving!

    It can also help with weight loss and portion control because it fills you up quickly, curbing overeating.

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    💭 What is Keto Cabbage Soup?

    Keto cabbage soup is an easy recipe with flavorful ingredients like cabbage, beef chunks, tomato, and aromatic herbs and spices. In this recipe, I add an African twist to these classic flavors by adding cayenne pepper and ground crayfish!

    Have you ever had a cabbage roll? They're usually ground beef sauteed with white rice, onions, and garlic, wrapped in a cabbage leaf, then slowly braised in tomato sauce. This recipe is basically like an unstuffed cabbage roll soup!

    You have all the rich, hearty flavor without fussing over wrapping up little rolls. Plus, I substitute beef stew meat for bigger, more filling pieces.

    This keto soup is way easier than it looks, tastes excellent, and will give you plenty of leftovers! It's ideal for a busy weeknight and is the perfect meal for those cold winter nights.

    🥘 Equipment Used

    The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    Instant pot - Feel free to use any regular pressure cooker. You can use a Crock Pot or slow cooker, but it will take much longer (around 5-6 hours).

    🧾 Ingredients Used

    Vegetable Beef Soup with Cabbage ingredients
    • Stew beef chunks: These are beef chunks that are usually cut into cubes and become soft and tender when cooked. Look for stew meat, or you can cut any tender beef into smaller pieces as long as you cut it into chunks and remove the bones.
    • Vegetables: Chop up your cabbage, red bell peppers, scallions, and garlic.
    • Tomato paste: Instead of fresh tomatoes, the tomato paste lends a more robust, concentrated flavor.
    • Spices: I use cayenne pepper, bouillon powder, thyme, salt, and ground crayfish. Ground crayfish is popularly used to spice up soups and stews in West Africa, giving this an earthy, traditional flavor. You can leave it out or substitute it with coconut aminos or soy sauce for a delicious, umami flavor. 
    • Olive oil: This is used to brown the beef. Browning the beef is a necessary step because this gives the beef an incredible depth of flavor.
    • Beef broth: You will need stock, broth, water, or a combination of both. I used 2 cups of stock and 2 cups of water. You can use more or less of either, but you might have to adjust the salt and spices for the right blend of flavors you desire.

    🔪 How to make this recipe

    Vegetable Beef Soup with Cabbage preparation
    1. Pour in the olive oil, then add the beef. Add a pinch of salt and black pepper and stir the meat till it is browned. You should do this in batches if you have a smaller instant pot. Note: when using the saute function, the lid MUST be left open. The instant pot is quite deep, so you don't have to worry about spills or splashes.
    2. If you are not using an instant pot, you can use a skillet. Brown the meat on high heat for a few minutes till it is browned.
    3. Add the scallion and garlic and stir till softened.
    4. Add the red bell pepper, tomato paste, cayenne pepper, bouillon powder, thyme, and salt. Also, add your stock or water. You might have to adjust the flavor depending on the liquid you add, but you will have the chance to do this later.
    5. Press the manual mode on the Instant pot and set it to 45 minutes. It will take 10 minutes for the instant pot to come to pressure. Make sure the vent is set to sealing.
    6. After the instant pot counts down 45 minutes, do a quick release. Use a wooden spoon to move the vent at the top from the sealing to the venting position. Be careful, so you don't get burned! I like to keep a respectful distance when doing this.
    7. Open the Instant Pot and check the flavor. If you want, add more salt and spices until you are satisfied. Add the cabbage and simmer for 5-10 minutes. It automatically switches to the warming function but still has enough heat to soften the cabbage. If you want it crunchier, leave it for only 5 minutes.
    Vegetable Beef Soup with Cabbage cooking in instapot

    🥫 Storing And Reheating

    This recipe makes a lot of soup! Unless you have a large family, you likely want to store your leftovers in meal prep containers.

    If you're eating it at home, you can pour your leftovers into airtight containers like mason jars. However, choose a container that can be easily microwaved if you'd like to reheat it at work or away from home.

    Plan to eat your keto cabbage soup leftovers within approximately 5 days.

    💭 Tips And Variations

    • Use your favorite oil to sear - Instead of olive oil, feel free to sear the beef in coconut oil, avocado oil, or your favorite cooking oil.
    • Be flexible with your broth options - You have plenty of options for this keto cabbage soup recipe! You can use bone broth, beef stock, diluted beef bouillon cubes, beef bouillon paste, chicken broth, or even vegetable stock. Feel free to use half stock and half water, too.
    • Use your favorite cabbage variety - This low carb cabbage soup is excellent with green cabbage, savoy cabbage, or even red cabbage. Just know that the color will change slightly with red cabbage, but it will still taste great! Aim for one medium-sized head of cabbage. If you can only find large ones, cut one in half. If you can only find small ones, grab two!
    • Add more veggies - You can add more veggies like carrots, celery, and diced tomatoes.
    • Ground crayfish substitution - This African ingredient has a satisfying umami flavor. Try replacing it with soy sauce, coconut aminos, or even a bit of bouillon for that extra flavor.
    • Substitute your favorite protein - I love the taste of slow-cooked beef because it reminds me of pot roast. This recipe is also great with ground beef or ground turkey. You can even use diced chicken and substitute chicken stock for a lighter version of this hearty soup recipe!
    flat lay of Vegetable Beef Soup with Cabbage

    🍽️ What Can I Eat With Keto Cabbage Soup?

    Although this delicious cabbage soup is filling enough to be a low carb meal on its own, you may enjoy these serving options:

    • Serve over riced cauliflower.
    • Top with shredded parmesan cheese.
    • Stir in a scoop of sour cream.
    • Add some shirataki noodles.

    👩‍🍳 Frequently Asked Questions

    Is cabbage good on the keto diet?

    Absolutely! Cabbage is a naturally low carb vegetable that can be used in various ways. If you're on a keto diet, cabbage should be your friend.

    One serving of this keto cabbage soup recipe has 3 grams of carbohydrates and one gram of fiber (2 net carbs). This makes this the perfect soup to fill up without extra carbs!

    Does cabbage soup have carbs?

    The answer depends on the recipe you're following! My keto cabbage soup recipe is naturally low carb and has only two net carbs per serving.
    Others may include starches like white rice or potato that increase the carb count.

    📚 Related Recipes

    Need more keto soups? Next time, try these!

    Instant Pot Pumpkin Soup

    Keto Mushroom Soup

    Oxtail Soup

    Keto Buffalo Chicken Soup

    Italian Wedding Soup

    Tofu Soup

    Vegetable Beef Soup with Cabbage bowl

    Here are some more recipes you can make with your instant pot!

    Instant Pot Pork Chops

    Instant Pot Pumpkin Soup

    Goat Curry

    Keto Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

    Pumpkin Chicken Curry

    Instant Pot Pulled Pork

    📖 Recipe

    social image for Vegetable Beef Soup with Cabbage

    Keto Cabbage Soup

    This keto cabbage soup is a hearty meal loaded with beef and vegetables that will keep you warm and satisfied! And with only 2 net carbs, this is a soup you can't pass up.
    4.70 from 30 votes
    Print Pin Share on Facebook Rate
    Course: Soups & Stews
    Cuisine: African
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 238kcal
    Author: Tayo Oredola
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    Ingredients

    • 1.5 lbs stew beef
    • 3 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 cups cabbage chopped
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 1 red bell pepper
    • 1 scallion (green onions)
    • 2 garlic cloves
    • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • 1 teaspoon bouillon powder
    • 1 teaspoon thyme
    • 1 teaspoon ground crayfish substitute with 1 tablespoon coconut aminos
    • 1 teaspoon salt to taste
    • 2 cups meat stock
    • 2 cups water
    • pinch of black pepper for browning the meat
    • pinch of salt for browning the meat

    Instructions

    • Chop the cabbage, scallions, garlic and bell pepper.
    • Cut the beef into chunks if not already cut.
    • Turn on the instant pot and switch to Saute mode.
    • Add the olive oil, then add the beef.
    • Add a pinch of salt and black pepper and stir the beef till it is browned.
    • Add the scallions and garlic and stir till softened.
    • Add the red bell pepper, tomato paste, and all the spices.
    • Pour in 2 cups of meat stock, and 2 cups of water.
    • Press the manual mode on the Instant pot and set it to 45 minutes.
    • After the instant pot counts down, do a quick release.
    • Add more salt and spices if you desire.
    • Add the cabbage and simmer for 5 - 10 minutes.
    • Serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    This has 6 servings and 2 net carbs per serving.
    • Brown the beef in batches if you have a smaller instant pot.
    • Always leave the instant pot lid OFF when using the saute function.
    • It will take 10 minutes for the instant pot to come to pressure when using the manual mode.
    • Use a wooden spoon to switch the vent to the venting position for the quick release. Be careful not to get burned!
    • If you want a slightly crunchier cabbage, only leave it for 5 minutes in the end.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 238kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 181mg | Potassium: 495mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 765IU | Vitamin C: 35.4mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 2.6mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gus says

      November 18, 2022 at 1:44 pm

      5 stars
      Only one word for this soup (AWSOME)

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        November 23, 2022 at 7:52 pm

        Thank you, Gus!

        Reply
    2. Rosie says

      September 22, 2022 at 9:16 am

      can't wait to make this.... going to can extra

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        September 29, 2022 at 5:36 pm

        Let me know how it turns out, Rosie!

        Reply
    3. mary says

      November 10, 2021 at 1:29 pm

      so very yummy and comforting loved it this is a new favorite for me. thank you for sharing such a great recipe!

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        November 11, 2021 at 9:35 am

        You're so welcome, Mary!

        Reply
    4. Chris David says

      September 24, 2021 at 3:07 pm

      5 stars
      I did exactly what this recipe said to do and am so happy to report it was the most delicious moist and tender chicken breast I’ve ever had.

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        September 24, 2021 at 9:47 pm

        I'm glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    5. Linda says

      August 20, 2021 at 10:43 am

      5 stars
      What can I use in place of the ground crayfish, it's only 1 teaspoon so I'm going to substitute Better than Bouillon beef broth, since I don't know any better. I wouldn't think that omitting 1 teaspoon of this should make a lot of difference.

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        August 21, 2021 at 1:47 pm

        You can use soy sauce or better than bouillon, for extra flavor.

        Reply
    6. Kathleen says

      April 22, 2021 at 7:12 pm

      5 stars
      I made it in the slow cooker and it was delicious at 5 hours.

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        April 22, 2021 at 7:24 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Kathleen!

        Reply
    7. Georgina says

      March 19, 2021 at 12:13 pm

      5 stars
      This meal was delicious. Next time I'll add more cabbage. I've already shared this and posted on my FB page. Wasn't able to Subramanian picture.

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        March 21, 2021 at 12:56 am

        Thank you for your feedback and for sharing the recipe, Georgina!

        Reply
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