Cabbage and farro soup isn’t exactly the sexiest sounding dinner, I’ll give you that, but I’d be hard pressed to find something more comforting and satisfying in the depths of January. After months of decadent eating and celebrations, I crave the simplicity of meals made with just a few high quality ingredients.
Slowly simmered vegetable soup with a hunk of chewy bread is exactly what I need. Though this farro soup only has a few ingredients, don’t mistake it for a bland meal. The rich stock, sweet tender cabbage and chewy farro are pulled together with a heavy shower of Parmigiano Reggiano and peppery drizzles of olive oil. This soup is one of many delicious recipes by Joshua McFadden’s new book, Six Seasons: A New Way with Vegetables.
It’s an incredibly flavorful and satisfying cabbage soup. The splash of red wine vinegar keeps this soup fresh, and the lemon juice gives you the option to brighten the flavors even more (although I tend to skip it in favor of a more subtle soup).
If you want to make this a more well rounded meal, throw in a soft poached egg for protein— the runny yolk will enrich the broth and fill out your dinner. So will a thick slice of seedy bread and a glass of Alsatian pinot gris. Enjoy!
cabbage, onion and farro soup
Rich stock, sweet tender cabbage and chewy farro are pulled together with a heavy shower of Parmigiano Reggiano and peppery drizzles of olive oil.
- Prep Time: 0:15
- Cook Time: 1:20
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Soup
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 pound cabbage (a small head), savoy or green
- extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
- 1 sprig rosemary or thyme
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar
- 2/3 cup farro
- 4 cups chicken broth, homemade or low sodium store-bought, plus more if needed
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (optional)
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano
Instructions
- Cut out the cabbage core and finely chop it. Cut the leaves into fine shreds, either by slicing through the chunk of cabbage or by separating the leaves, rolling them into a cylinder, and slicing crosswise into 1/8″ ribbons.
- Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cabbage core and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion starts to soften and turn translucent but not browned, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 5 minutes until the garlic is soft as well.
- Add the shredded cabbage leaves and rosemary or thyme. Cover the pot and let steam for a bit to soften the leaves, then toss the cabbage to help it wilt and soften more. Cook, covered, until the cabbage is very tender and sweet, at least 30 minutes.
- When the cabbage is ready, stir in the vinegar. Taste and adjust with more salt and pepper.
- Meanwhile, in another saucepan, heat a glug of olive oil over medium heat. Add the farro and cook, stirring constantly, until the farro is lightly toasted and fragrant, 5 to 8 minutes.
- Scrape the farro into the cabbage pot (or put the cabbage into the farro pot– whichever is bigger) and add 4 cups broth. Adjust the heat to a lazy simmer and cook until the farro is tender and all the flavors are married, 25 to 35 minutes.
- Stir in the lemon juice (if desired). The soup should be very thick, but if it seems like it needs more liquid, add another 1/2 cup water or broth. Taste and adjust with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice. Serve the soup in shallow bowls, with a shower of parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil on top, with more cheese passed at the table.
Notes
serves 4 | recipe from Six Seasons: A New Way with Vegetables by Joshua McFadden
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 218
- Sugar: 6.8g
- Sodium: 825mg
- Fat: 8.9g
- Saturated Fat: 4.3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.3g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4.4g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 22mg
Keywords: farro soup, cabbage soup
This sounds perfect for this 0 degree day in upstate NY! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
absolutely!! stay warm!!
Do you think cauliflower rice would work as a substitute for farro?
yeah absolutely! you’d just need to be super careful to not overcook it, otherwise it’ll be mushy and not great. if I were you, I’d probably cook the cauliflower rice separately (to the texture I like), then I’d just put it in the bottom of the bowl and top it with the soup. let me know how it goes if you try it!!
Loved this! Made it with quinoa because I had it, but excited to try with farro. My mom made it too and loved. She doubled the stock, knowing she’s a broth girl, and was very happy! Great cold weather recipe.
ahh I’m so glad!! that’s a great idea about doubling the stock– I’m a broth girl too!
I make this soup once a month now – My new favourite! Love the white wine vinegar taste. I always add a little extra.
Thanks!
That’s so great to hear! The vinegar is my favorite part too!