This hearty WW Cabbage Soup is warm, savory, satisfying, and packed with tender vegetables and lean ground turkey. The cabbage becomes wonderfully soft as it simmers, while tomatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and herbs create a rich, comforting broth without needing heavy ingredients.
It’s an easy Weight Watchers recipe for anyone looking for a flavorful, low-calorie meal that feels substantial without being overly rich. With lean protein, plenty of vegetables, and a generous serving size, this WW-friendly, low-point recipe is especially convenient for lunches, dinners, and meal prep.
Can This WW Cabbage Soup Support Weight Management Goals?
This soup can fit nicely into a balanced weight-management eating pattern because it combines lean protein with a large amount of vegetables and a broth-based cooking method. Cabbage, carrots, celery, tomatoes, and onion add volume and fiber while keeping the overall calorie density relatively modest. Using lean ground turkey instead of a higher-fat meat can also help keep the recipe lighter. Most importantly, consistent portioning makes the estimated WW Points easier to track while leaving room for other foods throughout the day.
Does WW Cabbage Soup Fit a Weight Watchers Lifestyle?
Yes, this is a practical WW-style recipe because it emphasizes lean protein, vegetables, and a broth-based soup rather than calorie-dense ingredients. One serving is approximately 1½ cups, providing roughly 20 g of protein and several grams of fiber. The estimated value is about 2 WW Points per serving, although the actual Points depend on your current WW program, individual plan, brands, and exact ingredients. The combination of turkey and high-volume vegetables makes the soup satisfying without requiring a large amount of added fat.
Why This Recipe Is Special
- WW-friendly: Lean turkey and vegetables create a lighter meal that can fit comfortably into many WW meal plans.
- Low-point: The broth-based recipe keeps added fats and calorie-dense ingredients modest.
- Protein-rich: Lean ground turkey adds substantial protein to each bowl.
- Vegetable-packed: Cabbage, carrots, celery, tomatoes, and onion provide plenty of volume and texture.
- Meal-prep friendly: A single pot makes multiple servings that store and reheat beautifully.
My Personal Experience
- Flavor:
The soup has a savory tomato-herb flavor with subtle sweetness from the carrots and onion.
The cabbage absorbs the seasoned broth, making every spoonful hearty and comforting. - Texture:
I like cooking the cabbage until it’s tender but still has a little structure.
The ground turkey gives the soup a satisfying meaty texture without making it heavy. - Ease of preparation:
Everything comes together in one pot with straightforward preparation.
Once the vegetables and turkey are ready, the soup mostly takes care of itself while simmering. - Portion satisfaction:
A 1½-cup serving provides a generous bowl of food for a relatively modest calorie load.
The combination of protein, vegetables, and broth makes it feel much more substantial than a small snack. - Meal-prep convenience:
The flavor becomes even more developed after the soup sits overnight.
Individual portions are easy to refrigerate or freeze for quick lunches and dinners.
Perfect For
This WW Cabbage Soup is ideal for weeknight dinners, quick lunches, Sunday meal prep, work lunches, chilly evenings, low-point meal plans, and healthy comfort-food cravings. It’s also useful when you want to prepare several servings at once without spending hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Big flavor without a heavy sauce:
Tomatoes, garlic, onion, herbs, and broth create a deeply savory base.
You don’t need cream or a large amount of oil to make the soup flavorful. - Protein-rich and satisfying:
Lean ground turkey makes this more substantial than a vegetable-only soup.
Each serving provides approximately 20 g of protein. - Loaded with vegetables:
Cabbage, carrots, celery, tomatoes, and onion provide plenty of volume.
It’s an easy way to build a vegetable-forward meal. - One-pot convenience:
Everything cooks in one large pot, which keeps preparation simple.
Fewer dishes also make cleanup much easier. - Excellent for WW meal prep:
The recipe makes eight consistent servings.
Portioning the soup before storing makes tracking the estimated Points much easier. - Comfort food made lighter:
You get the warmth and satisfaction of a hearty bowl of soup.
The broth-based preparation keeps it lighter than many creamy or cheese-heavy soups.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Adding the cabbage too late:
Cabbage needs enough time to soften and absorb the broth. Add it early enough for the texture you prefer. - Overcooking the vegetables:
Simmering too aggressively can make the carrots and cabbage mushy. Keep the soup at a gentle simmer. - Using fattier ground meat without recalculating:
Ground beef or higher-fat turkey can substantially change the calories and estimated WW Points. - Changing the serving size:
The estimated nutrition and Points are based on 1½ cups per serving. Larger bowls will contain more of the recipe’s calories and Points.
Required Equipment
- Large Dutch oven or soup pot — provides enough room for all the cabbage and vegetables to cook evenly.
- Wooden spoon — makes it easy to break up the ground turkey while browning.
- Chef’s knife — quickly handles the cabbage and vegetables.
- Cutting board — provides a stable surface for efficient vegetable preparation.
- Measuring cups — help maintain consistent ingredient quantities and serving calculations.
- Ladle — makes portioning approximately 1½ cups of soup much easier.
Storage Instructions
Allow the soup to cool slightly, then transfer it to airtight food-storage containers.
Refrigerator
Store in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
For accurate WW tracking, divide the soup into eight containers with approximately 1½ cups per container.
Freezer
The soup freezes well. Store cooled portions in freezer-safe containers, leaving a little space at the top for expansion.
Freeze for approximately 2–3 months for best quality.
Thawing
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, or use the defrost setting on your microwave if needed.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat until steaming hot, or microwave individual portions in short intervals, stirring between intervals.
Points are calculated per stated serving, so changing the serving size or ingredients can change the Points value.
Recipe Details
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 35–40 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour
Servings: 8
Serving Size: Approximately 1½ cups
Best Season: Fall and winter, but suitable for all seasons
Estimated Calories Per Serving: Approximately 150 calories
Estimated WW Points Per Serving: Approximately 2 WW Points
Important: The Points value is an estimate and has not been verified using an official/current WW calculator. Your actual Points may be different.
Short 3-Line Description
A cozy, veggie-packed WW-friendly cabbage soup made with lean ground turkey and a flavorful tomato broth.
This easy low-point, protein-rich recipe is hearty, satisfying, and perfect for meal prep.
Make one pot and enjoy convenient healthy lunches and dinners throughout the week.
📝 Ingredients
Soup
- 1 lb (16 oz) 99% lean ground turkey — choose the leanest option available to keep calories and Points lower.
- 6 cups chopped green cabbage — fresh cabbage provides volume, fiber, and a tender texture after simmering.
- 1½ cups diced carrots — add natural sweetness and color.
- 1½ cups chopped celery — contributes freshness and savory flavor.
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced — builds the aromatic base.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced — provides extra savory depth.
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, no-salt-added if available — adds acidity and tomato flavor.
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce, no-salt-added if available — creates the rich tomato broth.
- 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth — use low-sodium broth so you have better control over the salt.
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce — adds savory depth; check the label if you need to avoid gluten.
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning — provides a balanced herb flavor.
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika — adds gentle smokiness.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper — adds warmth.
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste — adjust according to the sodium content of your broth and tomatoes.
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped — optional, for freshness and garnish.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ground chicken can replace turkey, but the nutrition and Points may change.
- Extra-lean ground beef can be used for a beefier flavor, but it will generally increase calories and fat.
- Frozen chopped cabbage or vegetable blends can be used when fresh vegetables aren’t available.
- Vegetable broth can replace chicken broth if preferred.
- Avoid adding oil unless necessary; additional fat can increase the estimated Points.
Directions
- Prepare the vegetables.
Chop the cabbage, carrots, celery, and onion into reasonably uniform pieces. Consistent sizes help the vegetables cook at the same rate. - Brown the turkey.
Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the lean ground turkey and cook for approximately 5–7 minutes, breaking it into small pieces, until fully cooked and no longer pink. - Add the aromatics.
Add the diced onion, celery, and garlic. Cook over medium heat for approximately 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften and the garlic becomes fragrant. - Add the vegetables.
Stir in the chopped cabbage and carrots. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, stirring to combine. The cabbage will look like a lot at first but will shrink considerably as it cooks. - Build the broth.
Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. - Bring to a simmer.
Increase the heat briefly until the liquid reaches a gentle boil, then immediately reduce to medium-low. Avoid a hard boil, which can make the vegetables overly soft. - Simmer.
Cover partially and simmer for approximately 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cabbage and carrots should be tender but not falling apart. - Taste and adjust.
Taste the broth and adjust the pepper, herbs, or salt if needed. Be cautious with additional salt if using regular-sodium broth. - Portion the soup.
Remove from the heat and allow the soup to cool slightly. Divide into eight approximately 1½-cup servings for consistent calorie and Points tracking. - Serve.
Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.
WW Points Information
Estimated WW Points Per Serving
Approximately 2 WW Points per 1½-cup serving
This is an estimated WW Points value, not an official/current WW calculation.
The actual Points may vary according to:
- Your current WW program
- Your individual WW plan
- Ground turkey brand and fat percentage
- Broth and canned tomato brands
- Worcestershire sauce
- Ingredient substitutions
- Exact serving size
For the most accurate result, enter the exact ingredients and quantities into the current official WW calculator/app.
Points-Saving Tips
- Use 99% lean ground turkey rather than regular ground turkey.
- Choose no-salt-added or low-sodium canned tomatoes to better control sodium.
- Skip added cooking oil by using a good nonstick Dutch oven.
- Increase the cabbage and other non-starchy vegetables if you want more volume without adding calorie-dense ingredients.
- Keep portions at approximately 1½ cups so the estimated Points remain consistent.
Nutrition Facts — Per Serving (Approximate)
| Nutrient | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 150 kcal |
| Total Fat | 2.5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.7 g |
| Cholesterol | 45 mg |
| Sodium | 450 mg |
| Potassium | 700 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 16 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4 g |
| Net Carbs | 12 g |
| Total Sugars | 8 g |
| Added Sugars | 0 g |
| Protein | 20 g |
| Calcium | 75 mg |
| Iron | 2 mg |
All nutrition values are approximate estimates based on the recipe quantities above. Actual values will vary according to ingredient brands, sodium levels, turkey percentage, and serving size.
Notes
- Cabbage: Green cabbage works particularly well, but Napa or Savoy cabbage can also be used. Cooking time may vary.
- Turkey: The estimated nutrition assumes very lean ground turkey. A fattier variety will increase calories and potentially Points.
- Broth: Low-sodium broth is recommended because canned tomatoes and Worcestershire sauce can already contribute significant sodium.
- Spice: Add crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne if you like heat.
- More protein: Increase the lean turkey slightly, but recalculate the nutrition and Points because the recipe proportions will change.
- More vegetables: Add zucchini, mushrooms, green beans, or extra celery if desired.
- Allergy information: The recipe may contain wheat, soy, or other allergens depending on the Worcestershire sauce and broth brands. Check labels if allergies are a concern.
- Gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free broth and Worcestershire sauce when necessary.
- Dairy-free: The basic recipe contains no dairy.
- Freezing: Freeze individual portions for easy meal prep.
- Portion control: Use the same measuring cup or ladle for every serving to keep portions consistent.
- Points: Ingredients such as cooking oil, fattier meat, higher-calorie sauces, or larger portions can increase the estimated Points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this recipe Weight Watchers friendly?
Yes, this soup emphasizes lean protein, vegetables, and a broth-based preparation, making it a practical option for many WW-style eating patterns.
How many WW Points are in one serving?
The estimated value is approximately 2 WW Points per 1½-cup serving, but the actual value depends on your current WW plan and exact ingredients.
Can I make this recipe lower in Points?
Using 99% lean turkey, avoiding added oil, and keeping the serving size at 1½ cups are simple ways to keep the recipe relatively light.
Can I meal prep this cabbage soup?
Yes; divide the finished soup into eight approximately 1½-cup containers and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days or freeze individual portions.
Can I freeze WW Cabbage Soup?
Yes, cabbage soup freezes well; cool it completely, package individual servings in freezer-safe containers, and thaw overnight before reheating.
Can I increase the protein?
Yes; use a slightly larger amount of extra-lean ground turkey or serve the soup alongside another lean protein source, remembering that additions can change the nutrition and WW Points.
Final WW Accuracy Reminder
Although this recipe is designed to be WW-friendly and low-point, the estimated 2 WW Points per serving should not be treated as an official universal WW value.
WW Points can change based on the current WW system, individual plan, ingredient brands, substitutions, and serving size. For the most accurate Points calculation, enter the exact recipe and quantities into the current official WW calculator or app.
The nutrition information provided here is also an approximate estimate, intended to support transparent portion planning rather than replace an official calculation.

