Cabbage soup
A hot soup made with cabbage or sauerkraut, common in Eastern and Central Europe
Cabbage soup is a hot vegetable soup made with fresh cabbage or sauerkraut, often combined with stock and other vegetables. It is a staple in Russian, Polish, Ukrainian, Slovak, and Latvian cooking, with each region giving it a local name and twist. The soup may be vegetarian or include pork, fish, or mushrooms, and is usually served as a main dish, especially in colder months.
- Made with fresh cabbage or sauerkraut and stock
- Known as shchi in Russia and kapuśniak in Poland
- Can be vegetarian or include pork, fish, or mushrooms
- Served hot, often with sour cream or herbs
- Popular in Russian, Polish, Ukrainian, Slovak, and Latvian cuisines
What is Cabbage soup?
Cabbage soup is a warming dish made by simmering fresh cabbage or fermented cabbage (sauerkraut) with stock and a mix of vegetables. Depending on the region, it may also include pork, sausage, mushrooms, potatoes, carrots, or beans. The soup can be clear or slightly thick, with a tangy taste if sauerkraut is used. It is usually served hot and may be topped with sour cream or herbs like dill or parsley.
Where does Cabbage soup come from?
Cabbage soup has roots across Eastern and Central Europe, where cabbage is a common crop. It appears in Russian, Polish, Ukrainian, Slovak, and Latvian cuisines, each with its own name and version. In Russia, shchi is the classic cabbage soup, while Poland has kapuśniak and Slovakia has kapustnica. The soup’s history is tied to rural traditions and the need for hearty, nourishing meals during cold seasons.
How is Cabbage soup made?
To make cabbage soup, cooks start by chopping cabbage or sauerkraut and simmering it in stock. The stock can be made from pork, fish, mushrooms, or just vegetables, depending on taste or dietary needs. Other ingredients like potatoes, carrots, beans, or sausage may be added. The soup is cooked until the vegetables are tender, and sometimes finished with tomato paste, flour, or butter. It is served hot, often with a spoonful of sour cream.
How and when is Cabbage soup eaten?
Cabbage soup is commonly eaten at lunch or dinner as a main course. It is especially popular in colder months and is served hot, sometimes with bread on the side. In some regions, it is garnished with fresh herbs or sour cream. The soup is enjoyed by families as an everyday meal and can be made in large batches to feed a crowd.
Kinds of Cabbage soup
There are many regional versions of cabbage soup. In Poland, kapuśniak may include pork, sausage, or be made lean with mushrooms. Latvian skābu kāpostu zupa uses sauerkraut and sometimes bacon. Russian shchi can be made with fresh or fermented cabbage, and may also use other greens. Swedish cabbage soup browns the cabbage first and seasons it with allspice. Each country adapts the soup to local tastes and ingredients.
What Cabbage soup means
Cabbage soup is woven into daily life and folklore in the regions where it is made. In Russia, shchi is so well known that it appears in idioms and jokes. The soup is a symbol of home cooking and resourcefulness, often associated with rural traditions. It has also appeared in literature and film, such as in 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and the French movie 'La Soupe aux choux'.
Questions people ask about Cabbage soup
What is cabbage soup made of?
Cabbage soup is made from fresh cabbage or sauerkraut, stock (which can be pork, fish, mushroom, or vegetable), and often includes potatoes, carrots, beans, or sausage. The exact ingredients vary by region.
Where does cabbage soup come from?
Cabbage soup is traditional in several Eastern and Central European countries, especially Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Slovakia, and Latvia. Each country has its own version and name for the soup.
Is cabbage soup always vegetarian?
No, cabbage soup can be vegetarian if made with mushroom or vegetable stock, but it is also commonly prepared with pork, sausage, or fish stock, depending on local customs and preferences.
How is cabbage soup usually served?
Cabbage soup is served hot, often as a main dish for lunch or dinner. It may be topped with sour cream or fresh herbs, and is sometimes eaten with bread.
What does cabbage soup taste like?
The taste depends on the ingredients. If made with sauerkraut, it has a tangy, sour flavor. Versions with fresh cabbage are milder. The soup can be hearty and savory, especially when made with meat or sausage.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Cabbage soup", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
More from Russia
All the food of Russia
Borscht
🇺🇦 Ukraine and 5 moreA sour soup of beetroot and vegetables, served hot or cold across Eastern Europe
Soup, Lunch, Dinner
Shchiщи
🇷🇺 Russia and 1 moreRussian cabbage soup, made with fresh or fermented cabbage
Soup, Lunch, Dinner
UkhaFish or seafoodуха
🇷🇺 Russia and 1 moreClear Russian fish soup with root vegetables and herbs
Soup
PitiMeat
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan and 3 moreMutton and chickpea stew slow-cooked in a sealed crock
Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner
Its cousins elsewhere
All soups
MinestroneVegetarian
🇮🇹 ItalyHearty Italian vegetable soup with beans, pasta or rice
Soup, Lunch, Dinner
Boil upMeatKōhua kai
🇳🇿 New ZealandA Māori soup of meat, greens, root vegetables and dumplings boiled together
Soup, Lunch, Dinner
Pea soup
🇸🇪 Sweden and 5 moreA thick, hearty soup made from dried peas, found in many world cuisines
Soup, Lunch, Dinner
Pot-au-feu
🇫🇷 FranceFrench boiled meat and vegetable stew served in two courses
Stew or curry, Lunch, Dinner