Vegetable Garbure

A hearty farmhouse soup from south-west France, thick and nourishing: cabbage, white beans and root vegetables simmered together. Comforting and complete, it is a rustic, generous winter dish.

Prep time: 20 min  |  Cooking time: 45 min  |  Servings: 6  |  Difficulty: Easy

Calculated per portion from the Anses Ciqual 2025 values for each ingredient, using the quantities in the list. Household measures (spoonfuls, pieces) use average weights. 200 kcal · 9 g protein · 29 g carbohydrate · 1 g fat

Ingredients

• 1/2 green cabbage
• 2 tins of white beans
• 3 carrots
• 2 potatoes
• 2 turnips
• 1 leek
• 1 onion

Method

1. Fry the onion and leek.
2. Add the carrots, turnips, potatoes and water, and cook for 25 minutes.
3. Add the cabbage and beans and cook for another 15 minutes.
4. Mash a few of the vegetables to thicken the soup, then serve.

Nutritional benefits

Garbure is a complete meal-in-a-bowl soup: the white beans provide plant protein and fibre, the many vegetables vitamins and minerals, all for few calories. Rustic and inexpensive, it is a filling winter dish that is 100% plant-based in this meat-free version.

Variations and substitutions

• With duck confit (the traditional, richer version).
• With ham or smoked bacon.
• With herbs: thyme, bay leaf.
• Served over slices of wholemeal bread.

Storage and making ahead

Keeps for 4 days and can be frozen: it tastes even better reheated. Excellent for batch cooking.

💡 Good to know

Mash a few potatoes and beans into the soup: it thickens and becomes creamy without any cream.

Related reading

Discover more vegetarian recipes · vegan recipes · high-protein recipes · healthy & balanced recipes.

Foods in this recipe: green cabbage · white beans · carrots · potatoes · turnips.

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