
4.9 from 99 votes
Nourishing Cabbage, Fennel & Lentil Soup (1 Pot!)
Comforting, 1-pot soup with cabbage, fennel, lentils, kale, and Italian-inspired seasonings. An easy, nourishing, gluten-free and plant-based meal!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 6 (~1 ½ cup servings)
Calories: 251 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Main Course , Soup
Cuisine:
Italian , Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive or avocado oil (plus more for serving // if oil-free, sub twice the amount of water)
- 1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped (1 large onion yields ~ 3 cups or 225 g)
- 1 medium fennel bulb, trimmed and finely chopped (or sub 2 stalks of celery // 1 medium fennel bulb yields ~ 2 cups chopped or 210 g)
- 2 large carrots, peeled and finely chopped (2 large carrots yield ~3/4 cup or 90 g)
- 1/2 tsp each Sea salt and black pepper
- 6 cups green cabbage, sliced into 1/4-inch slices
- 2 cups chopped kale (curly or Lacinato), sliced into 1/4-inch slices (or use more cabbage — we like the added color and texture of the kale)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp fennel seeds, crushed lightly in a mortar & pestle or spice grinder (or leave whole)
- 1 heaping tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2-1 tsp red pepper flakes (to taste)
- 8 cups vegetable broth (or store-bought)
- 1 medium-large yellow potato, peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch chunks (1 potato yields ~3 cups or 300g)
- 1 (15 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
- 3/4 cup dry green lentils
FOR SERVING optional
- Vegan Parmesan Cheese
- Your favorite bread (we love garlic bread or focaccia)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion, fennel (or celery), and carrot. Sauté gently for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft. Stir in the salt and pepper — don’t be tempted to turn the heat up to speed this up or the veggies won’t get as sweet.
- Add in the cabbage and kale (if using), and sauté for another 5 minutes until wilted. Then stir in the garlic, fennel seeds, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 more minute until the fennel seeds are fragrant.
- Stir in the vegetable broth, diced potatoes, crushed tomatoes, and lentils. Bring to a simmer, cover (with the lid slightly ajar), and simmer on medium-low for 30-40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender but not mushy.
- Taste and adjust as needed, adding more salt for overall flavor or red pepper flakes for heat.
- We like to top bowls with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of vegan parmesan and serve with garlic bread or focaccia bread.
- Leftover soup will keep well in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- *Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without optional ingredients.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1serving
Calories
251
(13%)
Carbohydrates
43.6g
(15%)
Protein
9.5g
(19%)
Fat
5.8g
(9%)
Saturated Fat
0.8g
(4%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.8g
Monounsaturated Fat
3.5g
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
0mg
(0%)
Sodium
1089mg
(45%)
Potassium
851mg
(24%)
Fiber
11.4g
(46%)
Sugar
12.9g
(26%)
Vitamin A
785IU
(16%)
Vitamin C
52mg
(58%)
Calcium
161mg
(16%)
Iron
4.2mg
(23%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6(~1 ½ cup servings)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 251
% Daily Value*
Serving | 1serving | |
Calories | 251 | 13% |
Carbohydrates | 43.6g | 15% |
Protein | 9.5g | 19% |
Fat | 5.8g | 9% |
Saturated Fat | 0.8g | 4% |
Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.8g | 5% |
Monounsaturated Fat | 3.5g | 18% |
Trans Fat | 0g | 0% |
Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
Sodium | 1089mg | 45% |
Potassium | 851mg | 18% |
Fiber | 11.4g | 46% |
Sugar | 12.9g | 26% |
Vitamin A | 785IU | 16% |
Vitamin C | 52mg | 58% |
Calcium | 161mg | 16% |
Iron | 4.2mg | 23% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.