Free Soup
A hearty, customizable vegetable soup rich with tomato flavor and fresh herbs, perfect for a comforting meal suitable for any time of day.
Ingredients
- 16 oz. tomato juice ⓘ
- dehydrated onions ⓘ
- dehydrated parsley flakes ⓘ
- chopped celery ⓘ
- chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 1 small head cabbage
- herbs of your choice ⓘ
- 1 chicken bouillon cube ⓘ
- 2 beef bouillon cubes ⓘ
- 1 to 2 packages French green beans ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 to 2 Tbsp. soy sauce ⓘ
- mushrooms ⓘ
- bean sprouts ⓘ
- zucchini ⓘ
- squash ⓘ
Instructions
- Boil all ingredients together for one hour.
- Serve in a bowl anytime for a warm, nourishing meal.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding fresh herbs like thyme or basil instead of just dehydrated parsley flakes. If you don't have cabbage, kale or spinach can be excellent substitutes. Feel free to add any leftover vegetables you have on hand. This soup is versatile and can be adjusted to your taste, much like the Pot Herb Soup.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the soup hot, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a dash of soy sauce for extra flavor. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal. Consider serving it alongside Chicken With Port Wine Sauce for a heartier dinner experience.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave until hot. If the soup thickens, add a splash of water or broth to achieve your desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Free Soup contains roughly 206 calories, with 7g protein, 29g carbohydrates, and 8g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (41% of the Daily Value) and vitamin A (29% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1357mg per serving (59% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh vegetables instead of dehydrated ones?
Yes, fresh vegetables can be used instead of dehydrated ones. Just adjust the cooking time, as fresh vegetables may take a bit longer to soften. This flexibility allows you to customize the soup to your preference.
How can I make this soup vegetarian?
To make the soup vegetarian, simply omit the chicken and beef bouillon cubes and use vegetable broth instead. This will still provide a rich flavor while keeping the dish plant-based.
Can I freeze the soup for later?
Yes, this soup freezes well. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers. It can be stored for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).