Easy Napa Cabbage Soup Recipe: A Warming Bowl of Comfort

Napa cabbage crafts ordinary soups into extraordinary culinary experiences with its delicate, crisp texture and subtle sweetness.

This versatile vegetable brings remarkable depth to hearty broths and light, refreshing dishes.

Korean and Chinese cuisines have long celebrated its unique qualities, making it a staple in many traditional recipes.

Nutritionists praise its low-calorie profile and impressive vitamin content, ensuring both flavor and health benefits in every spoonful.

Gentle cooking methods preserve the cabbage tender leaves and enhance its mild, slightly peppery undertones.

Home cooks appreciate how effortlessly this ingredient adapts to different seasonings and cooking styles.

Winter months particularly welcome its warming, comforting essence in family meals.

Prepare to elevate your soup game with this simple yet sophisticated ingredient.

Fun Variations of Napa Cabbage Soup

• Spicy Korean Cabbage Soup: Add gochugaru or gochujang for a fiery kick, transforming the mild soup into a warming, spicy Korean-style broth that tingles your taste buds.
• Vegetarian Mushroom Version: Replace chicken with mixed mushrooms like shiitake and oyster, creating a rich umami-packed soup that offers deep, earthy flavors and protein-rich alternatives.
• Coconut Curry Fusion: Incorporate coconut milk and mild curry powder, turning the soup into a creamy, aromatic dish with subtle Southeast Asian influences that elevate its complexity.
• Hearty Protein Boost: Include diced tofu or shredded rotisserie chicken for extra protein, making the soup more substantial and satisfying for those seeking a filling meal.

Napa Cabbage Soup: A Healthy Favorite

• Savor Quick Comfort: This soup delivers a warm, nourishing meal in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something hearty yet light.
• Celebrate Fresh Ingredients: Packed with vibrant napa cabbage, aromatic ginger, and tender chicken, each spoonful bursts with clean, wholesome flavors that feel both nutritious and satisfying.
• Master Easy Cooking Technique: The simple one-pot method makes this recipe beginner-friendly, requiring minimal cooking skills while producing a restaurant-quality dish that looks and tastes impressive.

Ingredients for Napa Cabbage Soup

• Chicken: Lean protein that forms the base of the soup, preferably boneless and skinless for a cleaner flavor.

• Onion, Garlic, Ginger: Foundational flavor builders that provide depth and warmth to the soup's overall taste profile.

• Napa Cabbage: Tender, mild-flavored cabbage that adds a delicate texture and subtle sweetness to the soup.
• Carrots: Sweet root vegetable that contributes natural sweetness and vibrant color to the dish.

• Green Onions, Cilantro: Fresh herbs that add bright, crisp finishing notes and aromatic complexity.

• Lemon Juice: Citrusy element that provides a tangy brightness and helps balance the soup's richness.

• Water: Basic cooking liquid that helps create the soup's base and cook the ingredients.

How to Make Napa Cabbage Soup

Step 1: Prepare Chicken and Aromatics

• Place chicken in a large pot over medium heat
• Finely dice onion, garlic, and ginger
• Add aromatics to the pot
• Cook for 3-5 minutes on high heat until chicken starts to brown slightly

Step 2: Add Carrots and Liquid

• Reduce heat to medium
• Slice carrots
• Add carrots to the pot
• Pour water to completely cover all ingredients
• Bring soup to a boil
• Cook for 5 minutes

Step 3: Strain Ingredients

• Remove pot from heat
• Strain soup to separate liquid from solid ingredients
• Discard onions, garlic, and ginger
• Keep liquid and chicken

Step 4: Simmer with Napa Cabbage

• Return strained liquid and chicken to the pot
• Chop napa cabbage into bite-sized pieces
• Add cabbage to the soup
• Simmer for 5 minutes or until cabbage becomes tender

Step 5: Finish and Serve

• Ladle hot soup into serving bowls
• Squeeze fresh lemon juice over soup
• Sprinkle sliced green onions
• Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro
• Serve immediately

Best Tips for Napa Cabbage Soup

• Slice Chicken Precisely: Cut chicken into uniform, thin pieces to ensure even cooking and quick flavor absorption throughout the soup.
• Sauté Aromatics Carefully: Gently brown onions, garlic, and ginger without burning to develop a rich, deep base flavor for the soup.
• Choose Fresh Napa Cabbage: Select crisp, bright green cabbage leaves without wilting or brown spots for the best texture and nutritional value.
• Control Simmering Time: Watch cabbage closely during the last 5 minutes of cooking to prevent overcooking, which can make it mushy and lose its delicate crunch.
• Boost Final Flavor: Add fresh lemon juice just before serving to brighten the soup's taste and enhance the overall freshness of the dish.

Storing and Reheating Napa Cabbage Soup

• Storing Leftovers: Transfer the cooled soup to an airtight container, ensuring it reaches room temperature first. Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Refrigeration Duration: Store the soup in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the container sealed tightly to preserve flavor and prevent contamination.
• Reheating Method: Warm the soup gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water if the soup appears too thick, helping restore its original consistency and preventing scorching. Ensure the soup reaches 165°F before serving to guarantee food safety.

Pairing Napa Cabbage Soup with Fresh Bread

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enjoy a light, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the delicate chicken and cabbage flavors, cutting through the soup's subtle richness.
• Match with Crusty Bread: Serve alongside a warm, rustic sourdough or French baguette to soak up the flavorful broth and add a satisfying textural contrast to the tender soup ingredients.
• Complement with Asian-Inspired Side: Add a small plate of quick pickled cucumbers or a light Asian slaw to enhance the ginger and cilantro notes, bringing extra zest and crunch to the meal.
• Cool Down with Herbal Tea: Finish the meal with a soothing green tea or jasmine tea, which helps cleanse the palate and provides a gentle, warming conclusion to the light and nutritious soup.

Napa Cabbage Delight Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Napa Cabbage Delight Soup whispers comfort from Korean kitchens with its delicate balance of savory broth and tender vegetables. Warming spices and hearty ingredients create a soul-satisfying meal that welcomes you into a world of gentle, nutritious flavor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 200 g (7 oz) chicken (preferably breast or thigh)

Vegetables:

• 1 napa cabbage
• 1 carrot
• 1 green onion
• 1 onion
• 1 inch piece of ginger
• 2–3 cloves of garlic

Seasonings:

• ½ teaspoon chili flakes
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot and set it over medium heat. Place the chicken in the pot and allow it to start cooking.
2. Finely dice the onion, mince the garlic, and grate the fresh ginger. Add these aromatic ingredients to the chicken and sauté for 3-5 minutes until the chicken develops a light golden color and the aromatics release their fragrant oils.
3. Slice the carrots into thin, uniform rounds and introduce them to the pot. Pour enough water to completely submerge all ingredients, ensuring they are well-covered.
4. Increase the heat and bring the liquid to a rolling boil. Reduce the heat to medium and let the mixture simmer for approximately 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
5. Remove the pot from the heat source. Carefully strain the liquid, separating the broth from the solid ingredients. Discard the onions, garlic, and ginger while reserving the flavorful broth and cooked chicken.
6. Return the strained liquid and chicken to the pot. Chop the napa cabbage into bite-sized pieces, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
7. Add the napa cabbage to the pot and allow the soup to simmer for an additional 4-6 minutes, or until the cabbage becomes tender but retains a slight crispness.
8. Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the soup to brighten the flavors. Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls.
9. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions and freshly chopped cilantro. Serve immediately while piping hot, offering a comforting and aromatic dining experience.

Notes

• Prep this soup quickly with minimal ingredients, creating a light and nourishing meal in under 30 minutes.
• Select tender napa cabbage for a delicate, slightly sweet flavor that perfectly complements the chicken broth.
• Strain the initial cooking liquid to remove aromatics, ensuring a clean and clear base for your soup.
• Chop vegetables into uniform bite-sized pieces to promote even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Use fresh herbs like green onions and cilantro as a vibrant finishing touch to elevate the soup’s overall taste profile.
• Optional: Add a splash of lemon juice just before serving to brighten the soup’s flavor and introduce a subtle tangy note.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 135 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 280 mg
• Fat: 4.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2.8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 2.5 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg