Get the Cabbage Soup Diet Recipe for quick weight loss and detox. Also get the printable 7-Day Diet Soup Eating Chart to put on your fridge and easily follow the diet. Learn how to make this detox cabbage soup in the slow cooker, instant pot, and on the stovetop.
Did you overindulge a bit during the holidays? Me too! Whether you’re looking to lose up to 10 pounds or more in only 7 days, fit back into your clothing, detox, or to get rid of bloating, this cabbage soup diet may help you accomplish these goals.
As a plus, find out the pros and cons of the cabbage soup diet, get answers to some FAQ’s, and learn how to make the best cabbage soup diet recipe in the slow cooker, instant pot, and on the stove top.
WHAT IS THE CABBAGE SOUP DIET?
The Cabbage Soup Diet has variations, but it is mainly:
- A low-calorie diet;
- Low-fat;
- High-fiber;
- It can be low-carb on most days.
Yet it is not vegetarian or vegan because limited amounts of beef and chicken are allowed on a couple of days. This is a rigid diet – with not a lot of room for tweaks, just like the military diet.
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS?
Pros:
- Quick weight loss – up to 10 pounds or more in only 7 days.
- Body detox and a kickstart to a sustainable diet.
- It may have anti-inflammatory properties, depending on the ingredients. Our diet cabbage soup recipe does have some, such as turmeric, garlic, lemon, and spinach.
Cons:
- If you don’t drink plenty of water and start a balanced diet, you may re-gain the weight fast as well.
- It is a fairly boring diet since most of it consists of cabbage soup.
IS CABBAGE SOUP GOOD FOR WEIGHT LOSS?
Yes! You may lose 10 pounds (4.5 kg) or more in 7 days. This is a fast weight-loss diet, ideal to shed weight after the holiday binge, or for a special event. But be aware that this is not a permanent solution because long-term your body can run out of essential nutrients.
HOW MUCH WEIGHT CAN YOU LOSE ON THE 7-DAY SOUP DIET?
There are many factors to consider such as gender and age, if you follow the diet strictly or cheated, and to what degree. But most people reported losing up to 10 or more pounds in one week on the weight loss cabbage soup. Keep in mind that the weight that you’ll lose is a combination of water, fat, and even muscle.
HOW DOES THE CABBAGE SOUP DIET WORK?
This is a low-calorie intake diet (around 1,000 calories per day) and its main purpose is quick weight loss -- 10 pounds or more in 7 days. It is keto, vegetarian, and vegan!
WHAT CAN I EAT ON THE CABBAGE SOUP DIET PLAN?
This diet consists of cabbage soup, eaten 2 to 3 times a day with other allowed foods as follows:
- Day 1: Fruit (especially low-sugar), except bananas
- Day 2: Vegetables, especially leafy greens and low carb veggies (not starchy veggies), and no fruit
- On Day 3: Fruits and vegetables
- Day 4: Bananas and skim milk
- Day 5: Beef (or baked chicken without the skin) and tomatoes
- On Day 6: Beef and vegetables
- Day 7: Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juices, and vegetables
CAN I EXERCISE ON THE CABBAGE DIET SOUP?
Exercise is not recommended while on the diet, especially moderate to high-level. Why? Because this is a low-calorie diet-- one that can leave you weak even without exercising. You'll likely get around 1,000 calories or less a day which is about half of the 2,000 daily calories that most adults should get.
IS IT GOOD FOR CERTAIN CONDITIONS?
Mostly for those who are obese and need to lose weight fast in order to undergo to surgery. If you have any condition, such as diabetes, consult your doctor before doing the cabbage diet soup. Your blood sugar levels may drop a lot. It also won’t have a long-lasting impact on heart-disease, lowering cholesterol, or treating high blood pressure.
7-DAY CABBAGE SOUP DIET FAQ’S
To begin with, you should always ask your doctor before starting any diet, including this cabbage soup diet. Here are a few often asked questions about the 7-day cabbage soup diet:
- Can I substitute other foods? This is a strict diet that does not allow tweaks. But I have to say that I lost 3 pounds in 5 days only by eating the diet cabbage soup once a day, and eating outside of the diet but mostly up to 1500 calories a day.
- What can I drink on the cabbage soup diet? It allows for drinking water, coffee, or unsweetened herbal tea – but not alcohol or sodas. But I confess that I drank diet tea (stevia-based). It has zero calories but is not detox.
- Can I feel tired on this diet? Yes! Although I am used to dieting, I felt more tired on this cabbage soup diet than on others. I also felt weak, had issues focusing, and was highly irritable and hungry.
- How long can you stay on the cabbage soup diet? This is a 7-day diet only – it’s super-restrictive and can make you feel weak, lose focus, and run low on nutrients. For these reasons, do not stay on the diet beyond 7 days. This diet is ideal for detoxing the body and preparing it for a sustainable diet.
- What can I do to keep from putting the weight back on shortly after completing this diet? Be sure to drink a lot of water so that your body won’t hold on to fluids, and start a balanced diet.
WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS OF THE DIET CABBAGE SOUP?
Although most recipes have bouillon/water and veggies in common, there are different recipes for the diet soup. Our diet cabbage soup is low-fat and has low carb veggies, among other ingredients that are detox and anti-inflammatory, such as spinach, garlic, turmeric, tomatoes, and lemon juice. It is similar to Weight Watchers Cabbage Soup!
Here are the ingredients for the diet cabbage soup that maximizes weight loss while detoxing:
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Pepper
- Garlic
- Tomato
- Cabbage
- Celery stalks
- Low-sodium broth
- Tomato paste
- Lemon Juice
- Turmeric
- Broccoli slaw (optional)
- Spinach
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST CABBAGE DIET SOUP RECIPE
Learn how to make the cabbage fat-burning soup in the slow cooker, instant pot, and on the stovetop.
Instant Pot Cabbage Soup:
- To make the detox cabbage soup in the pressure cooker, press the saute function.
- Heat oil and cook onion, bell pepper, and celery for about 5 minutes, or until softened. Stir every now and then. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add tomato, broccoli slaw, cabbage, broth, tomato paste, pepper, and turmeric. Stir and secure lid. Set on high for 15 minutes, or press the soup function and set for 15 minutes. Allow natural release, about 20 minutes.
- Remove lid and stir in spinach and lemon juice. Stir in salt but do not go overboard.
Slow Cooker Cabbage Soup:
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, add oil and cook onion, bell pepper, and celery for about 5 minutes, or until softened. Stir every now and then. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Stir in all the other ingredients for the cabbage soup diet recipe, except spinach, lemon juice, and salt. Secure lid and cook for 2-4 hours on high, or 8-10 hours on low.
- Remove lid and stir in spinach and lemon juice. Stir in salt but go easy.
On the Stovetop:
- Heat a large nonstick pot or dutch oven over medium heat, add oil and cook onion, bell pepper, and celery for about 5 minutes, or until softened. Stir every now and then. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in all the other ingredients, except spinach, lemon juice, and salt. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, stir, cover, and let simmer for 30 minutes, or until veggies are tender.
- Remove lid and stir in spinach and lemon juice. Stir in just enough salt to taste.
HOW TO STORE
Store cabbage diet soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5-7 days. Freeze for up to 4-6 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat well.
OTHER LOW CARB SOUP RECIPES:
7-DAY CABBAGE SOUP DIET EATING CHART
Cabbage Soup Diet Recipe
Equipment
- pot
- knife
- wood spoon
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow or white onion chopped
- 2 bell peppers chopped (any color)
- 4 celery stalks chopped
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 2 large tomatoes chopped
- 1 cup broccoli slaw optional
- 1 green cabbage head chopped
- 9 cups low-sodium broth chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 lemon juiced
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Instant Pot Cabbage Soup: 1) To make the detox cabbage soup in the pressure cooker, press the saute function. Heat oil and cook onion, bell pepper, and celery for about 5 minutes, or until softened. Stir every now and then. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add tomato, broccoli slaw, cabbage, broth, tomato paste, pepper, and turmeric. Stir and secure lid. 2) Set on high for 15 minutes, or press the soup function and set for 15 minutes. Allow natural release, about 20 minutes. Remove lid and stir in spinach and lemon juice. Stir in salt but do not go overboard.
- Slow Cooker Cabbage Soup: 1) Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, add oil and cook onion, bell pepper, and celery for about 5 minutes, or until softened. Stir every now and then. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Transfer to the slow cooker. 2) Stir in all the other ingredients for the cabbage soup diet recipe, except spinach, lemon juice, and salt. Secure lid and cook for 2-4 hours on high, or 8-10 hours on low. Remove lid and stir in spinach and lemon juice. Stir in salt but go easy.
- Cabbage Soup on the Stovetop: 1) Heat a large nonstick pot or dutch oven over medium heat, add oil and cook onion, bell pepper, and celery for about 5 minutes, or until softened. Stir every now and then. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. 2) Stir in all the other ingredients, except spinach, lemon juice, and salt. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, stir, cover, and let simmer for 30 minutes, or until veggies are tender. Remove lid and stir in spinach and lemon juice. Stir in just enough salt to taste.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- STORE cabbage diet soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5-7 days. Freeze for up to 4-6 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat well.
Nutrition
** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.
Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
While I could never do that diet for seven days, I would be happy to have a bowl for a single meal.
Cindy says
I can understand that. I did the diet in the beginning of July and and now I’m on my fourth day again. I did loose 11 pounds (which I know some is water weight) but even though I gained a few pounds back (not all) it really helps get your body on the right track and lessons your desire to overeat too much.
Denise Browning says
Glad to hear, Cindy! 11 pounds is a super loss. I did the diet and lost 4 pounds in 7 days. But every body is different. And yes, part of the weight is water and you may recover because normally our water weight flutuates every day.
Paula says
I am currently up to day 6 and going to complete 7 day diet. To tell you the truth was fine up to day 5 then am so over recipe. But will complete as nearly there, YAY!!! Actually weighed in today and hve lost 4.7 kgs, pretty good. Feeling great and fit into my clothes with ease. It's definitely a hard slig but results are amazing. Didn't add any other meats, just the original cabbage soup detox recipe. Thk you !!! As needed to change my life. Would do say 5 days every few months for the detox. 🙂
Denise Browning says
Congrats on your great results and feeling lighter! Please go easy after the diet. Get a nutritious and balanced diet and to drink plenty of water.
John / Kitchen Riffs says
I'm with Karen --- sounds really good for a meal, but not for a week!
Gerald S. says
Hi Denise, thanks for this cabbage soup recipe. I made for my grandma. She has diabetes and struggles to find comforting soups that are also low carb. It was tasty and made her happy. I added ground turkey to the soup though.
Blanche says
My grandson and made this soup today and it was great .Recently diagnosed with diabetes
T says
Can you tell me how much soup you should be eating at a time?
Denise Browning says
Hi T! You can have one or two cups of soup in every meal or anytime you feel hungry during the day.
Courtney says
For the days with beef should it be cooked all the way or does it matter?. And for the leafy veggies how should those be prepared?.
Denise Browning says
Hi Courtney! If you want to add chunks of beef to your cabbage soup you can. Any of the 3 methods used (stovetop, Instant Pot, or Crockpot) will cook the beef without problems (cook all the way through). As for leafy veggies, I would add them at the very end; otherwise, they will be quite mushy. It takes about 1 minute for them to cook. Enjoy!
Cindy Phillips says
Make a salad with Skinny Girl dressing" it has no calories.
Mobakeng says
Tried it as in method 3) and found it delicious. I alternated your recipe with another cabbage diet soup to avoid boredom during my 7-day detox.
Denise Browning says
Glad to hear you enjoyed our cabbage soup diet recipe. It is truly flavorful and quite easy to make.
Pat Crane says
I printed a copy of your recipe, now how can I copy the daily schedule of the foods I need to eat to loose weight.
Denise Browning says
Hi Pat! If you click your mouse right button over the diet food chart, it will open a small window where you can either save the picture or copy and paste somewhere. If you are doing this in mobile, you can print screen. In either you can share/save the image in several social media including Pinterest. If I have to choose one of them, I would print screen on my phone. It is easier and you can take a look at every day quite easily. I hope it helps!
sheryl white says
After 7 days what's the recommended food to eat or how to ease back into normal eating
Denise Browning says
Hi Sheryl! As far as I know you must eat a regular diet after those 7 days but in moderation. Just do not exceed the amount of calories that a person of your gender and age should eat daily. If you eat any special diet, so continue to eat your special diet within the reccomended amount of calories to ingest. Always drink plenty of water and if your doctor prescribe any exercise, continue to do so. It is regular life without excesses basically!
Cindy Phillips says
I will be eating Keto when not eatingcabbage soup!
Kimberly says
Is one serving a cup?
Denise Browning says
Yes, one serving is a cup of the soup.
Lisa Cappiello says
Is one cup the recommended serving size for a meal?
Denise Browning says
Hi Lisa! I replied your email. Yes, one cup is the serving size. You eat 2 to 3 times a day or more if you are hungry.
Marco says
Another meal plan for weight loss. Easy to cook cabbage soup and the recipes are easy to follow. I can try this at home now.
Denise Browning says
I hope you enjoy our cabbage soup diet recipe at home. Please read everything before trying the diet. Thank you!
Nançy Helm says
Can I use kale instead of spinach?
Denise Browning says
Yes you can use kale instead, Nancy!
Sean says
Can confirm I've done the entire diet.............Somehow lol and you do literally shit the pounds of instantly.
I did however use chopped tomato's with herbs and add some chilli flakes to make it more barrable.
Denise Browning says
Thanks for your feedback Sean! I don't believe the tomato with herbs and chili flakes would alter anything significantly in terms of weight loss. But this is the type of diet that you have to eat a balanced diet afterwards otherwise the pounds will creep back quickly.
J says
Hi,
You seemed to have missed off the much needed jacket potato and butter that you are allowed to eat for dinner on the 2nd day. When I have done this diet in the past, knowing that I would have a jacket potato certainly kept me going!
Denise Browning says
Hi Jessica! When I did this diet, there wasn't a single mention about potato and butter. It must be the old version of the diet which sometimes are revised. The food with most carb in my version is bananas. But if the potato helps you, eat it. Thanks for stopping by and letting me know.
julien says
I never tried this cabbage soup recipe but I think it could be quite a nice idea!
Susan says
My mom n I have done this in the past You'll definitely clean out your system with the cabbage but it's worth it. It is very flavorful and is pretty easy to stick to. We did 3-4 cos a day to stay full and it worked well. We both lost Bettendorf 8-12lbs and kept off the weight by eating into a low carb high protein lifestyle. I highly recommend it
Denise Browning says
Hi Susan! Thanks for your feedback. It is great to hear this cabbage diet soup worked for you. And yes, after those 7 days of detoxing you have to follow a long term diet appropriate to your needs. If you start eating a bunch of junk or overeating, as after any other diet, you will gain the weight back.
Stephanie Hill says
Is 4 stalks of celery meaning 4 whole bunches or 4 ribs?
Denise Browning says
It is just the stalks or ribs (without leaves).