Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup Recipe

Name: Cabbage and Corned Beef Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 onion (chopped); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 3 carrots (sliced); 3 celery stalks (chopped); 4 cups chicken or beef broth (or reserved broth from cooking the corned beef); 2 cups water; 2 potatoes (diced); 1 teaspoon dried thyme; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 cups leftover cooked cabbage (chopped); 2 cups leftover cooked corned beef (diced)

Jump to Recipe

If you have leftover corned beef and cabbage you might want to try out this quick and easy Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup!

We rarely have extra leftovers from our corned beef and cabbage dinner, but when we do this is the best recipe to repurpose that meal and make a new one that everyone will love.

It’s a hearty and comforting soup that uses leftover corned beef and cabbage, potatoes, carrots, celery, and more.

A bowl of corned beef and cabbage soup with a spoon.

This soup is loaded with flavor and a great way to make your leftovers taste like a brand new meal.

Also, make sure to check out my Instant Pot corned beef recipe. And don’t forget to have some sort of bread with this soup.

You will get that fork-tender corned beef that melts in your mouth.

What Makes This Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup Different

This isn’t just a dump everything in a pot kind of soup. This recipe is designed to be:

Perfect for leftover corned beef – no dry, chewy bites
Brothy but hearty – not overly thick or bland
Family-friendly – mild, comforting flavors (no overpowering cabbage smell)
Flexible – easy to adapt based on what you have on hand

Instead of boiling everything until it falls apart, this method builds flavor slowly so the vegetables stay tender and the corned beef stays juicy. It’s cozy, filling, and tastes even better the next day.

Why You’ll Love This Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup…

This is a comfort-friendly soup that is loaded with flavor and a great way to utilize your leftover corned beef and cabbage dinner.
Nutrient-rich and flavorful soup that is loaded with protein and nutrients to fuel your body.
You will love this as dinner or an easy lunch recipe. Eat it alone, pair with a salad, or even a sandwich.
This is a great soup for cold weather where you want to warm up from the inside out.

The Best Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup (From My Kitchen)

After making this soup many times, here are a few small things that make a big difference:

Use broth, not water. Beef broth gives the soup depth without extra effort, plus it allows you to control the sodium levels even more.
Sauté the vegetables first. This adds flavor before anything even simmers.
Add the cabbage last. This keeps it tender instead of mushy.
Simmer gently. A low simmer lets the flavors come together without breaking everything down.
Taste before adding salt. Corned beef can be salty on its own.

If you want even richer flavor, let the soup simmer for an extra 10–15 minutes after everything is added. Just keep it gentle.

The ingredients for a Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup recipe.

Ingredients You Will Need

Corned Beef – You will use your leftover corned beef as the base of this soup. Make sure to chop it up into bite-size pieces.
Cabbage – I did use the leftover cabbage for this soup. You will chop it up roughly into smaller pieces.
Vegetables – Now for the soup I added other veggies into it. Garlic, onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes. This is going to add tremendous flavor but also add tons of nutrients to the soup.
Spices – Dried thyme and salt and pepper are what I used. You could also use bay leaves if you’d like to. You will find the corned beef has quite a bit of flavor due to the spices used when you cooked it.
Oil – I did use a little olive oil for sauting the onions and garlic.
Broth – You can use a chicken or beef broth for the base of the liquid. Or if you happened to save some of the liquid from when you cooked your corned beef you can use that as well.
Water – Filtered water is recommended for this recipe. That way the water is flavorful and used to help add liquid to the soup without taking on more flavor.

How to Make

Here is a quick look at what you will need to make this corned beef soup recipe.

Full measurements of ingredients are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Step 1: Start by getting a large pot and adding oil in it, and heat on the stove on medium heat.

Add the diced-up onion and garlic and cook until the onion is translucent.

Chopped carrots and celery in a pan for Cabbage Soup.

Step 2: Next add in the carrots and celery, cooking for another 5 minutes to help them soften up.

A recipe for corned beef and cabbage soup with a wooden spoon.

Step 3: Pour in the broth and water, and then add in the potatoes, thyme, and salt and pepper.

Bring the mixture to a boil, and then lower the heat. Simmer and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender.

Step 4: Stir in the corned beef and cabbage, and simmer for another 10 minutes.

Step 5: Serve and ladle up into bowls and enjoy.

A spoonful of corned beef and cabbage soup.

Variations To Recipe

Vegetables – Add or take away vegetables of your choice. You can use any or all types of vegetables to mix in the soup. A lot of people really love adding leeks to their soup. Feel free to customize to your preference, or raid your pantry drawer and use up what you have.
Bone Broth – Now if you want to add even more nutrients to the soup consider swapping broth with a bone broth. It will add more nutrients to the soup but also even more flavor.
Beans – Consider adding some white beans to the soup for added fiber and protein. I like white navy beans, they are mild in flavor but will add a great texture to the soup.
Cheese – Top your bowls of soup with a little grated parmesan for a tangy cheese to pair with the ingredients. I am a cheese lover so I find that parmesan is a great pairing in flavor.

Flavor Boosts & Serving Ideas

If you want to adjust the flavor or serve this soup in different ways, try one of these ideas:

Add fresh herbs like parsley or thyme right before serving
Brighten the broth with a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
Serve with crusty bread or Irish soda bread for dipping
Top with cracked black pepper or a small pat of butter for extra richness

This soup is simple, comforting, and very forgiving and perfect for using what you already have.

Helpful Tips for Success

When adding the meat to the soup. Make sure to trim away any fat or tougher pieces of meat. That way you are only using quality meat for the soup.
Make sure to saute your onions and other vegetables to help soften them. But also by sauteing it is going to increase the depth of flavor to the soup.
When you are dicing up the vegetables and the meat make sure they are bite-size pieces. So you can get a spoonful of a variety of ingredients.
You can add more herbs or spices if you want to enhance the flavor of the soup.
Skim the fat off the top of the surface of the soup, that way it removes any excess fat in the soup before serving.

Storing Leftovers

Store any of the soup you do not eat in an airtight container for 2-3 days in the fridge.

Make sure that you watch the quality of the meat, especially if you’re using older meat. When in doubt always throw it out.

How to Freeze Leftover Soup

You can also freeze the soup if you would like.

Just place soup in a freezer container, then leave 1-2 inches at the top as it will expand as it freezes.

Freeze for 3-4 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, or defrost straight from the freezer whenever you’re ready.

Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup FAQs

Can I make corned beef and cabbage soup in the slow cooker?

Yes! Sauté the vegetables first for best flavor, then add everything except the cabbage to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4–6 hours. Stir in the cabbage during the last 30 minutes.

Can I make this soup in the Instant Pot?

Absolutely. Use the sauté function for the vegetables, add the remaining ingredients (except cabbage), and pressure cook for 5 minutes with a natural release. Add cabbage and simmer on sauté for a few minutes until tender.

Can I use canned corned beef?

You can, but the texture will be much softer. Add canned corned beef near the end so it doesn’t completely break down.

What can I add to make it more filling?

Barley, extra potatoes, or even a handful of cooked noodles work well if you want a heartier soup.

How should I reheat leftover corned beef and cabbage soup?

You can reheat the soup in the microwave or opt to heat on the stovetop. Heat on medium-low to medium heat in a saucepan. Stir occasionally to ensure the mixture is heated all the way through.

How can I thin up leftover soup that has thickened in the refrigerator?

If you want to thin up the soup, simply add in a bit more broth or water to the soup as you reheat it. This will help freshen it up and make it a thinner soup.

A corned beef and cabbage soup recipe with carrots and potatoes.

More Soup Recipes

If you liked this homemade soup recipe, you’ll love these ones too:

Vegetable Beef Soup – this is a classic soup recipe that you can make in te slowcooker.
Mushroom Soup – a thick and creamy mushroom soup that is bursting with flavor.
Cheeseburger Soup – Instant Pot recipe that’s is so easy to make and tastes great too, along with some crackers or homemade buttermilk biscuits!
Zuppa Toscana – this copycat soup recipe from Olive Garden is so fast and easy to make at home, you’ll never have to wait to go to the restaurant to enjoy it again.
Chicken Noodle Soup – this is a classi recipe that you can make in just minutes!
Southwestern Chicken Soup – bursting with a variety of flavors, textures, and colors, these soup bowls are so good..
Creamy Tomato Soup – a simple way to make this classic tomato soup using your slowcooker.
Split Pea and Ham Soup – the easiest recipe to make using you slowcooker to do the work for you.