Vegan Cabbage Soup with Sausages (Hungarian)

Name: Vegan Cabbage Soup (Hungarian)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 Tbsp Vegetable oil; 1 Onion (medium); 3-4 cloves Garlic; 2 Tomatoes (medium); ½ Pepper; 2 Carrots (medium); 1 Parsnip; 3 Potatoes (medium); ½ head Cabbage; 8 cup Veggie broth; 1 tsp Hungarian sweet paprika powder; ½ tsp Ground caraway seeds; 5 oz Vegan sour cream; 7 oz Vegan sausages (200 g - optional); Salt and Pepper to taste

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This vegan cabbage soup has that extra something thanks to smoked sweet paprika making it the best Hungarian cabbage soup. It is a satisfying and comforting fall soup with flavors the entire family will love.

Black bowl with orange soup, sausage, carrot slices, diced potatoes and chopped cabbage topped with white sour cream. A slice of bread is placed next to the bowl as well as two spoons.

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Growing up in Hungary, this was a staple soup in my household. The smoky paprika flavors mixed with the creaminess of the soup are just so heartwarming. It is a must-try vegan soup that is so easy to put together.

Love hearty fall recipes? Then try this vegan cabbage lasagna and Mediterranean cabbage sweet potato soup. For Hungarian flavors, give my vegetarian goulash a shot!

Jump to:

❤️ Why you’ll love it
🧾 Key ingredients
🥘 Equipment
👩‍🍳 Instructions
💡 Expert tip
🔄 Variations
🥣 Serving ideas
🤔 FAQs
More vegan soup recipes
Vegan Cabbage Soup (Hungarian)

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1. ❤️ Why you’ll love it

9. More vegan soup recipes

10. Vegan Cabbage Soup (Hungarian)

❤️ Why you’ll love it

I love how this vegan cabbage soup combines classic cabbage soup with Hungarian flavors, similar to traditional Polish cabbage soup (kapusniak) and authentic Russian cabbage soup (shchi).

In this recipe, Hungarian sweet paprika powder and ground caraway seeds bring a unique, warm, and earthy flavor to the soup and set it apart from other cabbage soup recipes. It is a hearty and satisfying soup that is completely vegan and naturally gluten-free.

Plus, the use of simple, fresh ingredients like cabbage, carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes makes this soup not only delicious but also nutritious. It is a perfect family-friendly meal that is easy to make and is sure to become a favorite in your home.

A black bowl of orange soup, sausage, carrot slices, diced potatoes and chopped cabbage topped with white sour cream. A slice of bread is placed next to the bowl. A hand is holding a spoon with some soup.

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🧾 Key ingredients

This Hungarian cabbage soup is a hearty, flavorful dish that is made with simple, easy-to-find vegan ingredients.

close-up of a slice of raw green cabbage

Onion, garlic, tomatoes, and carrots are the backbone of the soup, providing a flavorful and aromatic base.

Potatoes and parsnips add a hearty, starchy element to the soup, making it a filling and satisfying meal.

Hungarian wax pepper is a key ingredient that adds a unique, slightly spicy flavor to the soup. If you can’t find it, you can use banana peppers or bell peppers as a substitute.

Sweet paprika and ground caraway seeds are the perfect seasonings for this soup, adding a warm, spicy depth of flavor that complements the sweetness of the vegetables.

Vegan sour cream and vegan sausages are optional ingredients that add a rich, creamy texture and a meaty, savory element to the soup.

🛒 You can find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

🥘 Equipment

For this hearty and comforting vegan cabbage soup, a good quality stockpot is an absolute essential. It allows you to sauté, simmer, and cook all the vegetables and the broth together, meld the flavors perfectly, and it is easy to clean. I use my stockpot for many other recipes, and it’s definitely a kitchen staple.

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Preparing the ingredients

STEP 1
Start by preparing the vegetables. Tear the larger outer leaves of the cabbage and cut them into shreds. If you are unsure how to do this, you can find a quick step-by-step guide in my easy vegan coleslaw recipe.

STEP 2
Next, wash all the other vegetables. Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic. Peel and dice the potatoes. Peel and slice the carrots and parsnips. Also, chop the tomatoes and yellow bell pepper.

Making the vegan cabbage soup

STEP 1
Heat a stockpot over medium heat. Add oil, then sauté the diced onions and garlic.

Purple diced onion in stockpot with a heap of minced garlic.

STEP 2
Add the chopped tomatoes and yellow bell pepper to the pot. Stir well.

Purple diced onion in stockpot with tomato and yellow pepper slices.

STEP 3
Now, add the sliced carrots and parsnips. Stir and cook for about five minutes.

Purple diced onion in stockpot with tomato and yellow pepper slices and carrot slices.

STEP 4
Add the salt, pepper, and sweet paprika powder, and the vegetable broth. Stir well.

Brown stock in a stockpot with vegetable bits.

STEP 5
Add the diced potatoes and the shredded cabbage to the pot. Cook until the potatoes are soft and the cabbage is wilt.

Brown soup in a stockpot topped with fresh cabbage leaves.

STEP 6
Add the pre-cooked sausages to the soup to warm them up for two to three minutes.

Brown soup with cabbage leaves and other vegetables in a stockpot.

STEP 7
To make the vegan sour cream, take a small bowl and add the sour cream to it.

A hand is holding a small glass bowl with white cream above a brown soup with cabbage leaves and other vegetables in a stockpot.

STEP 8
Take some of the liquid from the hot soup and pour it into the bowl with the sour cream. Stir well.

A hand is holding a small glass bowl with white cream above a brown soup with cabbage leaves and other vegetables in a stockpot. A ladle is taking some from the soup.

STEP 9
Now, you can add this mixture back to the hot soup.

A hand is mixing white cream and some liquid from the soup in a small glass bowl above a brown soup with cabbage leaves and other vegetables in a stockpot.

STEP 10
Cook for an additional two to three minutes, and the soup is ready to be served. Enjoy your vegan Hungarian cabbage soup!

Orange creamy soup with cabbage and vegetables in a stockpot.

💡 Expert tip

The key to this vegan cabbage soup is to shred the cabbage finely. The finer you shred the cabbage, the quicker it will cook, and the more it will absorb the flavors of the soup. If the shreds are too big, it will take longer for them to wilt, and the soup may not have the desired flavor.

🔄 Variations

If you prefer a spicier soup, I suggest adding some chopped chili peppers or a dash of cayenne pepper. This will give your vegan cabbage soup a spicy twist and add a depth of flavor that is sure to warm you up on a cold day.

If you are a fan of different textures in your soup, try adding some chickpeas or white beans. They will not only add a creamy texture but also boost the protein content of the soup.

If you are looking for a low-carb option, you can simply omit the potatoes and parsnips. The soup will still be delicious and hearty with just the other vegetables and vegan sausage.

Two bowls with orange soup, sausage, carrot slices, diced potatoes and chopped cabbage topped with white sour cream. A slice of bread is placed next to the bowl as well as two spoons.

🥣 Serving ideas

This Hungarian cabbage soup is a versatile and comforting dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. It makes a delicious and satisfying main course for lunch or dinner.

If you’d like to keep it authentic, the only side Hungarians pair this soup with is bread. We use the bread slices to dunk them in the soup and eat it like that.

You can also serve it with a side of vegan sour cream and some fresh herbs for a refreshing twist. The tangy sour cream complements the rich, savory flavors of the soup, and the herbs add a pop of color and freshness.

If you are serving this soup to a group of people, consider setting up a soup bar with a variety of toppings. Chopped fresh herbs, vegan cheese, and croutons are all great options. It will allow everyone to customize the soup to their liking.

🤔 FAQs

What other veggies can you add?

You can definitely add other vegetables to this Hungarian cabbage soup. I personally love adding a bit of celery or mushrooms for an extra depth of flavor. You can also add root vegetables like rutabaga or celeriac, but I would avoid adding anything sweet like pumpkin or sweet potato as it may alter the flavors too much. If you are looking to add some extra protein to the soup, you can also try adding chickpeas or white beans.

Can you use red cabbage instead of green cabbage?

Yes, you can use red cabbage instead of green cabbage. The flavor of the soup will remain the same, but please note that using red cabbage will turn your soup purple. While the color may not be as appetizing, it does not affect the flavors of the soup.

Can use dairy sour cream if you are not vegan?

Absolutely! If you are not following a vegan diet, you can use dairy sour cream in this recipe. You can follow the same instructions for adding the sour cream without any changes. It will still add a delicious creamy tanginess to the soup.

More vegan soup recipes

You can browse through our vegan soup recipes or our quick vegan meals to find soups that are ready in 15 minutes, or check out these:

Comments

5 from 9 votes (3 ratings without comment)

Vegan Cabbage Soup with Sausages (Hungarian)

❤️ Why you’ll love it

🧾 Key ingredients

🥘 Equipment