Best 3 Czech Cabbage Soup Recipes

Indulge in the comforting flavors of Czech cabbage soup, a hearty and flavorful dish that epitomizes the culinary heritage of the Czech Republic. Also known as zelňačka, this traditional soup is a symphony of fresh cabbage, aromatic root vegetables, savory smoked meat, and a hint of caraway seeds. With variations ranging from simple and rustic to rich and elaborate, each recipe promises a unique taste experience. Whether you prefer a vegetarian version brimming with vegetables or a meat-based soup infused with smoky bacon or kielbasa, this versatile dish caters to diverse preferences. Prepare to warm your soul with this delectable soup, a true testament to Czech culinary artistry.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

CZECH CABBAGE DISH

Czech Cabbage Dish image

I can only attempt to spell the real name of this dish; Cabushka or something like that! My mother's father was from Czechoslovakia, and he has three sisters who are excellent cooks. I have learned to cook this dish quite happily. At our last reunion, there were three separate bowls with different versions of this same dish; they were all scraped clean!

Provided by dlynn11

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Eastern European Czech

Time 30m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 large head cabbage, shredded
¼ pound bacon, chopped
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
¼ cup chopped green bell pepper
3 tablespoons white vinegar
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Blanche cabbage briefly in boiling water, remove and drain immediately.
In a large skillet, brown bacon over medium heat until opaque; remove and drain on paper toweling.
Remove all but 1 tablespoon of bacon grease from the skillet; add the 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and heat over medium heat. Add onion, celery and bell pepper and saute until crisp-tender.
In a large bowl combine the prepared cabbage, bacon, sauteed vegetable mix (with oil), vinegar, salt and pepper. Mix well and serve warm, or chill and serve later.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 94.6 calories, Carbohydrate 7.3 g, Cholesterol 7.7 mg, Fat 6.6 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 2.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 231.8 mg, Sugar 3.7 g

CZECHOSLOVAKIAN CABBAGE SOUP

Czechoslovakian Cabbage Soup image

Make and share this Czechoslovakian Cabbage Soup recipe from Food.com.

Provided by ladyfingers

Categories Vegetable

Time 3h10m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

2 lbs beef bones with marrow
1 cup chopped onion
3 coarsely chopped and pared carrots
2 chopped garlic cloves
1 bay leaf
2 lbs beef short ribs
1 teaspoon dried leaf thyme
1/2 teaspoon paprika
8 cups water
8 cups coarsely chopped cabbage (1 head)
2 (1 lb) cans tomatoes
2 teaspoons salt
1/2-3/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons sugar
1 (1 lb) can sauerkraut

Steps:

Place beef bones, onions, carrots, garlic and bay leaf in roasting pan. Top with short ribs; sprinkle with type and paprika.
Roast, uncovered, in 450 degree oven for 20-30 minutes or until meat is brown.
Transfer meat and vegetables into a large kettle.
Using a small amount of water, scrape browned meat bits from roasting pan into kettle.
Add water, cabbage, tomatoes, salt and Tabasco; bring to a boil.
Cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours.
Skim off fat, and add parsley, lemon juice, sugar and sauerkraut.
Cook, uncovered, for 1 hour.
Remove bones and short ribs from kettle.
Cool slightly and remove meat from bones.
Cut meat into cubes and return to kettle. Cook 5 minutes longer.

CZECH RED CABBAGE

Czech Red Cabbage image

Provided by Joan Nathan

Categories easy, weekday, side dish

Time 50m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1 large onion, chopped (about 1 1/4 cups)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 head red cabbage, shredded (3 pounds)
1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
1 large Granny Smith apple, grated
1/3 cup apple vinegar
3 tablespoons sugar or to taste
1 teaspoon caraway seeds

Steps:

In a pot, saute the onion in the vegetable oil until soft. Add the cabbage and salt, and cover. Steam over medium heat for 10 minutes.
Remove the cover, and add the apples.
In a small bowl, mix the vinegar and sugar, and pour over the cabbage. Sprinkle with the caraway seeds, mix and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes or until the cabbage is soft. Adjust the seasonings to taste.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 131, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams, Carbohydrate 24 grams, Fat 4 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 193 milligrams, Sugar 15 grams, TransFat 0 grams

Tips:

Use a variety of cabbage. Green cabbage is the most common type used in Czech cabbage soup, but you can also use red cabbage, Savoy cabbage, or a mix of different types.
Don't overcook the cabbage. Cabbage should be tender but still have a bit of crunch. If you overcook it, it will become mushy.
Use a good quality broth. The broth is the base of the soup, so it's important to use a good quality one. You can use chicken broth, beef broth, or vegetable broth.
Add vegetables and spices to your liking. The recipe is a basic guide, but you can add other vegetables and spices to your liking. Some popular additions include carrots, celery, onions, garlic, dill, and caraway seeds.
Serve the soup with bread or dumplings. Czech cabbage soup is traditionally served with bread or dumplings. This helps to soak up the delicious broth.

Conclusion:

Czech cabbage soup is a hearty and flavorful soup that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is made with a variety of cabbage, vegetables, and spices, and is typically served with bread or dumplings. With its simple ingredients and easy preparation, this soup is a great option for a quick and tasty meal.