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Wonder Soup Recipe (Original Cabbage Soup Diet Soup)
The wonder soup recipe also called cabbage wonder soup, diet soup, or detox cabbage soup or Original Cabbage soup diet recipe has been around for decades. It’s the classic low calorie vegetable soup used in the popular 7-day cabbage soup diet.
As a nutrition focused recipe creator, I look at it with two minds:
- On one hand, it’s a very light, vegetable packed soup that’s easy to cook and quite budget-friendly.
- On the other, the original cabbage soup diet is a short term, very low calorie fad diet that isn’t designed for long term, sustainable weight loss.
So in this post, I’m sharing the original wonder soup recipe from 7 day cabbage soup diet plan. It’s a classic, low-calorie cabbage soup diet soup along with some realistic guidance on how to use it more safely.
This post is for information only and is not medical advice. Always check with your doctor before trying any restrictive diet or using very low-calorie soups as meal replacements.
What Is Wonder Soup?
Wonder soup is essentially a very simple cabbage vegetable soup:
- Based on cabbage, onion, celery, carrots, bell pepper and tomatoes
- Cooked in water or low-sodium vegetable broth
- Lightly seasoned with herbs, salt, pepper and sometimes a pinch of chilli
It became famous because of the cabbage soup diet a 7 day eating plan. In cabbage soup diet plan this soup is eaten in generous amounts alongside a small list of other foods each day.
Online you’ll see it under many names:
- wonder soup
- miracle soup
- cabbage soup diet soup
- fat-burning cabbage soup
- detox cabbage soup
- sacred heart soup / GM diet soup
In this recipe, I’m sharing the original cabbage soup diet recipe: lots of vegetables, water based broth, very little oil in the soup itself so it stays true to its “diet soup” origins.
Ingredients for Original Wonder Soup
For making wonder soup recipe You’ll need:
- Cabbage: green cabbage, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- Onion: yellow or white onion, chopped
- Celery: chopped; classic in almost every version
- Carrots: sliced or diced
- Green bell pepper: adds sweetness and colour
- Garlic powder: optional but recommended for flavour
- Tomatoes: canned diced tomatoes or fresh chopped tomatoes
- Tomato Paste: Adds a subtle thickness
- Water or low sodium vegetable broth: the base; water is most “original” and lowest in calories
- Olive oil: just 1–2 teaspoons to soften the onion (you can omit if you prefer absolutely no added fat)
- Dried herbs: such as Italian seasoning, thyme or parsley
- Bay leaf: optional, adds depth to the broth
- Salt and black pepper: to taste
- Optional heat: a pinch of red chilli flakes or cayenne
- Fresh parsley or cilantro: for garnish
This keeps it very low in calories, high in volume and fibre, and as close as possible to the original cabbage soup diet soup.
How to Make Wonder Soup (Stovetop)
You can adapt this for pressure cooker/Instant Pot, but the classic method is just a big pot on the stove.
- Sauté the aromatics (very lightly)
- In a large pot, add 1–2 teaspoons of olive oil (or a splash of water if you prefer oil-free).
- Add chopped onion and celery and carrots. Cook on medium heat for 3–4 minutes until they start to soften.
- Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the main vegetables
- Stir in the, bell pepper and chopped tomatoes.
- Toss everything together so the vegetables are lightly coated and start to soften at the edges.
- Add Chopped cabbage
- Cover and cook for 2 minutes
- Add liquids and seasoning
- Pour in water or low sodium vegetable broth. You want enough to just cover the vegetables generously the soup should be brothy.
- Add diced tomatoes (with their juices).
- Add bay leaf, dried herbs, a small pinch of chilli flakes (if using), salt and pepper.
- Simmer until tender
- Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Cover partially and simmer for about 20–30 minutes, or until the cabbage and other vegetables are tender but not mushy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with a little more salt, pepper or herbs if needed.
- Serve
- Remove the bay leaf.
- Ladle the wonder soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro.
- Serve hot as a very light meal or starter.
This is the classic, low calorie version: lots of vegetables, almost no fat, no added protein, and a very clear broth.
How Low Calorie Is Wonder Soup?
Exact calories will depend on the quantities you use, but most original cabbage soup diet recipes come out roughly in this range:
- About 60 – 90 calories per serving (1½–2 cups)
- Very low in fat
- Mostly from cabbage, carrots, onion, and tomatoes
That’s why wonder soup is used in very low-calorie diets it’s high in volume and fibre but low in energy.
Wonder Soup, Cabbage Soup Diet & Detox: How to Use This Recipe Safely
The original cabbage soup diet suggests eating this soup several times a day, plus a small number of specific foods, for one week. People often report fast weight loss, but most of that is water weight and some muscle, and most health experts classify it as a fad diet.
Some important realities:
- It’s very low in calories (often under 1,000 calories per day during the diet).
- It’s not nutritionally balanced and low in protein, fats and some vitamins/minerals.
- It’s meant as a short-term pattern, not a lifestyle.
- Weight lost this way is usually regained when you return to normal eating.
Healthline, Medical News Today and other nutrition sources describe the cabbage soup diet as a short-term, unsustainable approach and do not recommend it as a long-term weight-loss solution.
My take, as someone who loves both food and evidence:
- It’s okay to enjoy this wonder soup recipe as a very light meal or part of a short reset period.
- It’s not a good idea to rely on it alone for long periods or repeat strict 7-day cycles again and again.
- For sustainable weight loss, a balanced eating pattern plus movement and good sleep will always win over crash diets.
If you want a more balanced, everyday cabbage soup that fits into long-term healthy eating, I also have a healthy cabbage soup recipe with more flexible seasoning and a more cozy, “normal soup” feel.
And if you’re curious about the full cabbage soup diet – the 7-day schedule, pros and cons and who should avoid it – I’ve broken that down in a separate, detailed article.
cabbage soup diet 7-day plan, pros & cons and safer alternatives
Wonder Soup vs Healthy Cabbage Soup: What’s the Difference?
Since we now have both on the blog, here’s how I’d describe them quickly:
- Wonder Soup :
- Very low calorie
- Minimal oil, no protein add-ins
- As close as possible to the original cabbage soup diet soup
- Often used as “detox cabbage soup” or short reset soup
- Healthy Cabbage Soup :
- Still light and veggie packed, but more flexible and flavour layered
- Easier to pair with normal meals and use as an everyday soup
- Better suited to long-term healthy eating and weight-loss-friendly routines
Storing & Reheating Wonder Soup
Because this soup is almost all vegetables and broth, it stores very well:
- Fridge:
Store cooled soup in an airtight container for 3–4 days. - Freezer:
Portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2–3 months.
Thaw overnight in the fridge or reheat gently with a splash of water. - Reheating:
Warm on the stovetop over medium heat, or in the microwave until hot. Taste and adjust salt if needed – flavours can mellow slightly after chilling.
FAQs About Wonder Soup & Detox Cabbage Soup
Is this the original cabbage soup diet recipe?
This version is very close to the original cabbage soup diet recipe: cabbage, onion, celery, carrots, bell pepper, tomatoes, water or broth, herbs and minimal oil, and no added protein inside the soup. Different versions tweak herbs and quantities, but the structure is the same.
Why do people call it “detox cabbage soup”?
People often use the term detox cabbage soup because the recipe is:
Very low in calories
High in fibre and water
Built almost entirely from vegetables
It can feel like a “reset” after heavy eating, but it doesn’t literally detox your body – your liver and kidneys already do that. Think of it as a light, vegetable-rich soup, not a magic detox.
How long can I eat wonder soup?
Most sources agree the cabbage soup diet should only be followed for about one week, and even then it is not considered a healthy long-term plan.
If you enjoy the soup, you can keep it in your regular rotation, but eat it as part of a balanced diet, not as your only major food.
Does wonder soup really help you lose weight?
Wonder soup is very low in calories, so if you eat a lot of it instead of higher-calorie foods, you will likely see some weight loss – especially in the first few days. But research suggests much of that loss is water and some muscle, and most people regain it when they go back to normal eating.
Can I add other ingredients to this soup?
You can always experiment in your own kitchen, but this recipe is intentionally: Original-style and Low-calorie
Based only on vegetables, herbs, water/broth and minimal oil
If you want a more filling, balanced soup (with protein or more hearty ingredients), I’d recommend my healthy cabbage soup recipe instead of changing this wonder soup.
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Wonder Soup (Original Cabbage Soup Diet Soup)
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil or water, for oil-free
- 2 medium onions chopped
- 3 stalks celery chopped
- 3 medium carrots sliced or diced
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1.5 lb green cabbage about 800–900 g / 1.7–2 lb, core removed and chopped
- 1 can diced tomatoes with juices or 3 medium fresh tomatoes, chopped
- 8 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth 2 litres
- 1 bay leaves
- 2 teaspoons dried mixed herbs Italian seasoning, thyme, oregano or a blend
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red chilli flakes or cayenne pepper optional, for heat
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Prep the vegetables
- Chop the onions, celery, carrots, bell pepper and cabbage. Mince the garlic and chop the tomatoes if using fresh.
Sauté aromatics (very lightly)
- In a large soup pot, heat 1–2 teaspoons olive oil over medium heat (or use a splash of water for an oil-free version).
- Add the chopped onions and celery. Sauté for 3–4 minutes, until they start to soften.
- Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Add the rest of the vegetables
- Stir in the carrots, green bell pepper and chopped cabbage. Toss everything together so the vegetables are mixed and just starting to soften.
Add liquids and seasoning
- Pour in the water or vegetable broth and add the diced tomatoes with their juices.
- Add bay leaves, dried mixed herbs, salt, black pepper and red chilli flakes or cayenne if using. Stir well.
Simmer the wonder soup
- Increase the heat and bring the soup to a gentle boil.
- Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover the pot partially and let it simmer for about 20–30 minutes, or until the cabbage and other vegetables are tender but not mushy.
Taste and adjust
- Remove the bay leaves. Taste the broth and adjust salt, pepper or herbs if needed.
Serve
- Ladle the hot wonder soup into bowls and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro if you like.
- Serve as a very light meal, starter or part of a short “reset” – not as your only food for long periods.
Notes
- This is an original-style wonder soup / cabbage diet soup: very low in calories, high in volume and fibre, with no added protein in the soup itself.
- For everyday, long-term healthy eating, it’s best to enjoy this soup as one part of a balanced diet, not as your only meal.
For a more cozy, flexible version you can pair with protein and whole grains Healthy Cabbage Soup (Vegetarian & Easy) - Storage: keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days or freeze for up to 2–3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
