Raise your hand if you may have overdone it just a little bit with the sugar cookies, fudge, and booze over the holidays?!? While those treats taste great as we’re enjoying them, they often leave us feeling lethargic, puffy, and cranky. That’s no way to start the New Year! Instead of starving yourself or crash dieting, how about getting back on track with a balanced lifestyle…starting with this Slow Cooker “Cabbage Patch” Detox Soup? It’s an easy and delicious way to treat your body as it deserves to be treated — nourished, valued, and loved.
When I call this a “detox soup,” I don’t mean the kind of detox soup that tastes like garbage and leaves you in a perpetual state of hunger. Nope, not here! Instead, I prefer to load up on satisfying, filling, real food ingredients that fuel my body, give me energy, and keep me full until the next snack or mealtime. We’re detoxing from the junk — nothing artificial in here, nothing that will spike your blood sugar, and nothing with empty calories. Just wholesome, delicious nutrition!
I love that you only need 10 minutes to toss the ingredients into a Crock Pot, and then you can come home to a healthy dinner or easy lunch that’s high in protein, full of filling fiber, and loaded with veggies! This is a great option to throw together on the weekend so that you can stock your fridge or freezer with quick meals for the week ahead. I serve my soup with a side of avocado toast for healthy filling fat to round out the meal, but that’s just my preference. A grilled cheese sandwich would also be tasty for dunking!
I based this recipe on my grandmother’s classic Hamburger Soup, which she used as her own “detox soup” for years. If you prefer a vegan option, I’ve noted those simple swaps in the recipe, too.
And as you recover from the holidays and work to get your diet back on track, just remember that it’s all about balance. Nourish your body with a giant bowl of Cabbage Patch Detox Soup, get some exercise and fresh air, read a good book, enjoy time with friends, and treat yourself to your favorite indulgences. There’s nothing wrong with a cookie or some chocolate — especially after a big bowl of soup!
Slow Cooker "Cabbage Patch" Detox Soup
Prep
Cook
Total
Yield 9 (2-cup servings)
Ingredients
- 2 medium onions, sliced
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
- 3 cups cut string beans (frozen is fine)
- ½ head of cabbage, cored and chopped
- 3 ribs celery, diced
- 1 lb. extra lean ground beef (I used 96% lean), cooked and drained OR an additional can of kidney beans for a vegetarian option
- 1 (16 ounce) can red kidney beans (about 1 ¾ cup), rinsed and drained
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon turmeric (optional)
- 1 tablespoon curry powder (optional)
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, I like San Marzano tomatoes
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth or vegetable broth
- 4 cups water
Instructions
- Place onions, carrots, string beans, cabbage, and celery at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Top with cooked beef and drained beans. Add salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic, bay leaf, and optional turmeric and curry powder, if desired. Pour crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and water into the pot.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, or until vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaf. Serve immediately, store in the refrigerator for up to one week, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Cooking Just for Two? Cut the recipe in half to make 4 or 5 servings, and freeze any extra soup that you don’t want to enjoy right away. It keeps in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months!
I definitely overdid it with the sweets this holiday! I feel like I’m in a food coma and I need to get out haha! This detox soup sounds PERFECT, Blair! I love that it’s made in the slow cooker and filled with veggies. Just what I need for this cold and to get me back on track. Love this!
Thanks, Gayle! Yep…Christmas definitely did a number on me! Time for some veggies… 🙂
I never would have thought to add cabbage. What a great idea and looks so comforting. Happy New Year friend!
Thanks, Megan! Happy New Year to you, too! 🙂
Blair, thanks for such a great idea. I love to cook with cabbage, it is comfort food to me (borscht is one of our winter favorites). Sauekraut is especially beneficial this time of the year as an immunity booster. I am adding this soup to my meal plan.
Thanks, Mila! Cabbage is totally underrated! 🙂
This looks super. Going to try it this week!
yum! this looks amazing and definitely needed after the holidays
I’m all about detox soup if it involves deliciousness! YES! no garbage! haha. BRING ON THE CABBAGE! ahhh .love .it
Yes, my cabbage-loving friend! 🙂
Sooo I’ve never done a detox before but I don’t think I’d turn my nose up if this was on the menu 😉 YUM!
No detoxes for me either, Kristy! Just delicious, healthy soup!
Will try CABBAGE PATCH” DETOX SOUP 🙂 Good recipe for health conscious people :D. Also really liked your smile in the pic Blair <3
Thanks so much! 🙂
I definitely need this soup in my life now. My body is screaming for some cleansing! Celebrating New Year with my parents and family literally killed me hahah 😀 This cabbage soup looks absolutely delicious Blair. It’s loaded with veggies and wonderful spices… just yum! Sharing this off course 😉
Oh, I feel the same way, Natalie! The holidays always do a number on us!
I have been buying all my groceries from a local organic grocery who delivers for the past year. What’s nice is that what’s offered is usually seasonal, so cabbage is in abundance right now. Your cabbage soup is cooking away in my crockpot as we speak! I did add some spicy vegetable juice instead of water. Can’t wait to taste!!!!
Sue, that sounds like a delicious addition! I need to remember the spicy juice for the next time that I make it! Enjoy. 🙂
I’m making this soup as we speak I added some corn and mushrooms also😋 It has my house smelling nothing but yummyness!
That’s great, Madeline! Your additions sound delicious! Hope you enjoyed it! 🙂
this soup is sooooo good, I to added the vegetable juice instead of water…….Yum!!!
Excellent, Dianne! So glad that you enjoyed it!
This soup is so yummy! I to added the vegetable juice instead of water for a little extra veggies 🙂
The curry and turmeric makes this soup different from other veggie soups. We loved it. I served it with pita bread and hummus, and a fruit salad for a nice co trust in flavors.
Awesome! So glad that you enjoyed it! The addition of pita and hummus sounds PERFECT. I need to remember that!
Could this be considered a fat burning soup? Im looking for one that u can do in the crock pot & not have tomato or celery in it .
Hi, Joni! I’m not really sure what a “fat burning soup” is. That said, if you want to omit the celery and tomatoes, you can certainly do so. You might add a few more of your favorite veggies instead!
The photograph looks so yummy for this soup, I could almost eat it off the page….ha……..surely will be making this ….(veggie style.). What an easy comforting way to lose the lbs,
Thanks!
Thank you, Joan! I hope that you love it!
This soup is delish…I’ve often make cabbage soup, but not with the beans, and green beans, we love it, I sont use the meat….thanks for sharing…Helen
Hi, Helen! I’m so glad that you enjoy the soup! I agree — you don’t need the meat…it’s just a nice protein boost if you’re looking for that. Thanks for your note!