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.
Table of Contents
- 1 WHAT IS THE CABBAGE SOUP DIET?
- 2 WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS?
- 3 IS CABBAGE SOUP GOOD FOR WEIGHT LOSS?
- 4 HOW MUCH WEIGHT CAN YOU LOSE ON THE 7-DAY SOUP DIET?
- 5 HOW DOES THE CABBAGE SOUP DIET WORK?
- 6 WHAT CAN I EAT ON THE CABBAGE SOUP DIET PLAN?
- 7 CAN I EXERCISE ON THE CABBAGE DIET SOUP?
- 8 IS IT GOOD FOR CERTAIN CONDITIONS?
- 9 7-DAY CABBAGE SOUP DIET FAQ’S
- 10 WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS OF THE DIET CABBAGE SOUP?
- 11 HOW TO MAKE THE BEST CABBAGE DIET SOUP RECIPE
- 12 HOW TO STORE
- 13 OTHER LOW CARB SOUP RECIPES:
- 14 7-DAY CABBAGE SOUP DIET EATING CHART
- 15 Cabbage Soup Diet Recipe
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.
Tabby says
Hi there,
Can I do this for a week take a week off and then do it again for another week?
Denise Browning says
Depending on your overall health, you can. But keep in mind because this is a very restrictive diet, don't be doing it every other week. It is a kick start for another diet that is more balanced and nutritious that can bring your weight down without depleting your body.
Beth says
It’s not good before a surgery as it’s been said that turmeric can act as a blood thinner.
Denise Browning says
Beth, as I said in my post, any person who intends to do a diet needs to consult their doctor first. Every person has different health issues and needs. Some are quite special such as surgery. Only a doctor can determine well whether a certain diet is suitable or not for their patients. But turmeric is something easy to fix -- don't add it to the diet soup if you cannot have it for any reason. The 7-day diet itself is the one that has to be asked of the person's doctor.
Jim Drennen says
Common mistake is to make a big pot and reheat the whole pot everyday. If you make a big pot break it down into daily servings and only reheat what you need for a meal; otherwise the flavors meld an it gets mushy. I also recommend adding a bunch of mushrooms and yellow squash and zucchini.
Denise Browning says
Hi Jim! My recipe doesn't ask to reheat the whole pot of soup every day. Of course, you only reheat the portion you will eat at every meal. If you intend to eat one cup of soup at lunchtime, you only reheat that one cup of soup. This goes for any food dish, not only this soup. Reheating more than what you will eat not only alters the texture of the food but also decreases the veggies' nutritional value.
Sherry Moncada says
This soup was so easy to make!
Very tasty!
Thank you for sharing this recipe
Day 1 , hopefully I shed a few pounds, however it’s so delicious I don’t care
Denise Browning says
Hey Sherry! Thanks so much for your feedback. I am so happy you enjoyed our cabbage soup diet recipe. Wishing you much success on your weight loss journey.
Amber says
The recipe is very tasty! I’m on day two so can’t confirm further results but am curious about the purpose of which foods on which days. Like why bananas and skim milk and only on one day? It seems a bit arbitrary.
Denise Browning says
Hi Amber! Some fruits or certain types of protein on some days but not on others is for making us eat a variety of them during these 7 days. The diet is already restrictive in calories and if you don't eat at least a small variety of them your body will be depleted of some vitamins and nutrients and will be very boring or repetitive. We already have to eat this cabbage soup several times per day during these 7 days, so it would be worse if you had to eat exactly the same fruits in all meals these 7 days. If you don't drink cow's milk you can replace it with plant-based or reduced-fat yogurt with a compatible number of calories because this diet is about calorie restriction.
Tysonja Purvis says
Are there any substitutions for day 4? I don't eat bananas or drink skim milk (lactose intolerant).
Denise Browning says
Hi Tysonja! If you don't eat bananas, you can replace them with small apples or pears. As for milk, you can replace it with plant-based milk or any dairy-free one.
Alice McMillan says
I tried the recipe I could eat this everyday!!
Denise Browning says
Yay! I am so happy to hear that! My husband said the same when I first made this soup.
Gale says
I cannot do bell peppers of any type. Will this effect the value of the recipe
Denise Browning says
Hi Gale! Do not worry about either skipping or replacing the bell peppers. If you cannot eat them, you may replace them with tomatoes if you want.
Rahul Dubey says
That's looking too delicious. As I don't like eating much of veggies but will surely try adding this healthy recipe in my diet.
Denise Browning says
Hi Rahul! I hope you enjoy it. It is full of flavor and a great way to eat veggies. If you prefer, you can blend all the veggies with the broth in a blender to make a creamy version.
Sandra says
hi love the soup delicious
the only problem I cant have meat
can I substitute baked tofu and
how mauch
thanks
Denise Browning says
Hi Sandra! I am so glad you enjoy this cabbage diet soup. Yes, you can replace any type of meat with tofu or any other plant-based protein source. Please take a look at the number of calories in tofu and try to match it with the calories for chicken or beef. For example, if 3 oz of grilled chicken strips has 110 calories, you would eat as much tofu as needed to ingest 110 calories.
Mulher fitness says
My son made this soup today and it turned out great. Congratulations on the article
Jo says
Hi, I'm starting the diet tomorrow, I did this diet over 20 years ago and found it good. It was very basic then though. My question is... while making the soup, can I put it in a food blender so the soup is finely chopped, or is it better cut up chuncky? I'm thinking chuncky as it will fill up the tummy better, but can it be procced in a blender for a smoother soup? Is however you cook it OK? Also, are you allowed full fat milk or does it have to be semi skimmed?
Denise Browning says
Hi Jo! Yes, you can blend the soup in a blender until smooth but the chunks will fill you up for longer. You can use either full-fat or semi-skinned milk, although the latter is less caloric. This is a low-calorie diet!
Roshawn says
Is there a brown rice that is low carb?
Denise Browning says
Hi Roshawn! Brown rice is not low carb. It is high in fiver but not low in carbs. Low-carb rice is made with cauliflower.
Maureen says
I am about to start this Cabbage Soup Diet as a kick start. I am awaiting surgery (no date yet, injury was June 2021!) for a torn ankle tendon and have to be non weight bearing for 12 weeks. I am getting prepared in advance but carrying less weight will definitely help.
Denise Browning says
Hi Maureen! I wish you all the best in your surgery and a quick recovery. And yes, when one has a serious bodily injury, carrying less weight around helps. Please let me know whether you have any questions about this cabbage soup diet. Please make sure to read the post because it explains more details, especially for those who can and cannot do this diet.
Bronwen says
I don't find the soup ever boring. I can make each bowl whatever I feel like. To be Thai I add some curry paste, Asian just add lemon grass, corriander and an Asian green, Mediterranean basil. Thyme and marjoram, Morrocan ground cumin and coriander. It can be so different each time. If I don't feel full a good bit of Chile makes feel satisfied. Have a good look in your herb and spice rack and get creative
Lisa Albright says
Any chance you can tell me substitutions for vegan? For instance, what would I ad din instead of beef or hicken, dairy??
Denise Browning says
Hi Lisa! The best vegan substitute for beef and chicken is tofu. Other alternatives are soy protein and tempeh. As for dairy sub, I would drink a plant-based milk that contains protein such as soy milk. Unfortunately almond milk has almost no protein. I hope this may help you! It is key that you ingest protein while doing this diet.
Amy Fyock says
This soup is delicious.
Elaine Schecter says
I'm making this soup today. or maybe I should wait a couple days. Does this soup make youhave the runs? The reason I ask is that I have a full 2 days of school= Monday & Tuesday. Thanks. Elaine S.
Denise Browning says
Hi Elaine! The soup didn't give me the runs or any other side effect except I felt a little weak on the first day only.
Laura Marble says
Are there other veggies that can be added to the soup?
Denise Browning says
Hi Laura! You can add any low carb vegetables of your choice such as squash, broccoli, greens beans, mushrooms, cauliflower, all types of green leaves, etc.
Nisrine says
Hello. What can I substitute milk and banana on day 4 as I don’t drink and eat both? Thank you
Denise Browning says
Hi Nisrine! You can replace bananas with apples or pears. They have similar amount of carbs and calories. As for milk, you may eat Greek yogurt or a plant-based milk isntead.
Lisa says
Hi,
What are the serving sizes for each meal? How much soup, fruit, Vegetables, Chicken, Beef?
Thank You
Denise Browning says
Fruits and veggies as well as the meats recommended on their days should be eaten 2-3 times a day. Choose the small-size fruits and preferrably low carb vegetables and of course, lean meats (the portion is 2 oz, two to three times a day). This is a low calorie-diet.