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Sweet & Sour Cabbage Soup
SoupDinnerHealthy Eating

Sweet & Sour Cabbage Soup

Stewart Lucas
By Stewart Lucas, Chief Culinary Specialist
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Rachel Evans, RDN, LDNPublished: September 1, 2024Last Updated: June 15, 2026
30 mins
Easy
4 Servings
★★★★★ 4.8 (40 reviews)
Quick Summary Answer
⏱️ 4 min read read📅 Updated: June 15, 2026

This chef-curated Sweet & Sour Cabbage Soup offers an authentic, wholesome dining experience. Created by Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas, it balances vibrant flavor with evidence-based nutrition.

Key Takeaways

  • ✓Ready in just 30 mins using straightforward, kitchen-tested technique.
  • ✓Delivers 37g of muscle-fueling protein per serving for lasting satiety.
  • ✓Portion-balanced at 410 calories per serving with wholesome, unrefined ingredients.
  • ✓Masterclass temperature checkpoints ensure maximum tenderness and flavor development.

The Story

This chef-curated Sweet & Sour Cabbage Soup offers an authentic, wholesome dining experience. Created by Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas, it balances vibrant flavor with evidence-based nutrition.

Culinary Heritage & Chef's Notes

In the NutriGuide test kitchen, Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas refined this classic Sweet & Sour Cabbage Soup to celebrate vibrant, wholesome ingredients. By prioritizing aromatic layering and precise thermal control, this recipe achieves remarkable culinary depth while preserving natural micronutrients and wholesome texture.

At NutriGuide, our mission is to ensure that home cooking is both accessible and culinary-grade. When executing Sweet & Sour Cabbage Soup, focus on fresh aromatics, dry surface contact for proper searing, and allowing the food to rest before serving.

Ingredients & Measurements

  • From: nachison@scsud.ctstateu.edu (Nachison,Beth)
  • Date: Tue, 7 Sep 1993 22:16:00 GMT
  • 1 large cabbage, shredded
  • 1-2 carrots, shredded
  • [OR--use 2 lbs pre-shredded cole-slaw mix instead]
  • 2 lbs sauerkraut, with liquid
  • 1 large can tomato juice
  • 1 can water
  • salt to taste
  • 1-2 tsp peppercorns (or to taste)
  • 1-2 tsp dill weed (or more to taste)
  • 1 c raisins
  • 1/4 c brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 c lemon juice
  • Put cabbage, carrots, sauerkraut, raisins, liquids and spices

Chef's Sourcing & Quality Tips:

  • Produce & Aromatics: Always use fresh whole aromatics and seasonal herbs rather than dehydrated powders when possible.
  • Cooking Oils: Utilize cold-pressed oils with appropriate smoke points such as extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil.
  • Salt & Seasoning: Season from a modest height above the pan to ensure an even, uniform crystalline dispersion.

Step-by-Step Culinary Masterclass

Follow these sequential steps with careful attention to sensory cues and cooking temperatures:

Step 1: Technique & Execution

Bring it to a boil

Step 2: Technique & Execution

Add brown sugar and lemon juice

Step 3: Technique & Execution

Cook for a while till cabbage is soft and flavors are blended

Step 4: Technique & Execution

Adjust seasoning to taste. (This may involve a lot more sugar and lemon juice, till you get it just right!) Serve with MEATBALLS 1 lb ground beef 1 onion, minced fine 1/4 c raw rice 1 egg salt, pepper, dill weed to taste Mix all ingredients together

Step 5: Technique & Execution

Shape into meatballs

Step 6: Technique & Execution

Cook in the cabbage soup

Chef's Pro Tips & Variations

Nutritional Profile per Serving

MetricAmountDietary Benefit
Calories410 kcalControlled caloric load for steady metabolic burn
Protein37gHigh-biological-value protein for tissue maintenance
Carbohydrates21gComplex, slow-digesting dietary fiber
Fat13gWholesome dietary lipids for micronutrient absorption

Sweet & Sour Cabbage Soup

This chef-curated Sweet & Sour Cabbage Soup offers an authentic, wholesome dining experience. Created by Chief Culinary Specialist Stewart Lucas, it balances vibrant flavor with evidence-based nutrition.

★★★★★4.8 from 40 votes
Sweet & Sour Cabbage Soup
CourseDinner
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Total Time50 mins
Servings4
AuthorStewart Lucas

Macro Nutrition Profile (Per Serving)

Calories21% DV
410 kcal
Protein74% DV
37g
Fat17% DV
13g
Carbs8% DV
21g
Scale Ingredients

Ingredients

Ingredient Substitutions

Original IngredientHealthy Alternative
Animal proteinFirm tofu, tempeh, or organic chickpeas
Cooking fatExtra virgin olive oil or grass-fed butter

Instructions

1

Technique & Execution: Bring it to a boil

2

Technique & Execution: Add brown sugar and lemon juice

3

Technique & Execution: Cook for a while till cabbage is soft and flavors are blended

4

Technique & Execution: Adjust seasoning to taste. (This may involve a lot more sugar and lemon juice, till you get it just right!) Serve with MEATBALLS 1 lb ground beef 1 onion, minced fine 1/4 c raw rice 1 egg salt, pepper, dill weed to taste Mix all ingredients together

5

Technique & Execution: Shape into meatballs

6

Technique & Execution: Cook in the cabbage soup

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it turned out! Click a star below to leave a review and rate the recipe.

Storage & Freezing Tips

  • Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
  • Reheating: Heat in a saucepan or skillet on medium heat until hot throughout.
  • Freezing: Freeze portions in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen or after thawing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this recipe be prepared ahead of time?▼

Yes, this meal is excellent for weekly meal prep. Store components separately and assemble before serving.

Is this recipe gluten-free?▼

All ingredients used are naturally gluten-free. If you are highly sensitive, verify that packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Tried this recipe?

Tag @stewartlucas on Instagram and hashtag it #nutriguide!

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Stewart Lucas

Stewart Lucas

Chief Culinary Specialist

Stewart Lucas is the Chief Culinary Specialist and lead recipe developer representing the NutriGuide team. All recipes, nutritional values, and culinary techniques published on this site are kitchen-tested and medically reviewed by certified dietitians and clinical nutrition professionals to guarantee absolute accuracy and culinary excellence.

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