Weight Loss Soup

5 from 248 votes
510 Comments

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Weight loss soup is the perfect recipe for a healthier you in 2024! If you are looking to drop a few pounds this low-calorie, nutrient-rich, high-fiber soup is healthy, flavorful, and fills you up!

Weight Loss Magic Soup in a crock pot.

Weight loss soup is a combination of a couple of weight loss soup recipes that have been around for years – Weight Watchers Garden Vegetable Soup and the Cabbage Soup Diet Recipe. We added kidney beans for protein to help you feel fuller for a longer period of time. Feel free to add or subtract vegetables to your taste.

We call this soup “magic” because we have all incorporated it into our diets at one point in another with terrific results! It’s so much more than a bland cabbage soup or vegetable soup. It is a low-carb, hearty soup that is full of flavor and keeps you satisfied and on track with healthy eating.

Ingredients to make Weight Loss Magic Soup including V8 juice, chicken broth, onion, garlic, mushrooms, green beans, carrots, zucchini, yellow squash, cabbage, salt, pepper, kidney beans and diced tomatoes.


Ingredients for Weight Loss Soup

  • Chicken broth – Low-sodium chicken broth gives a flavorful base for the soup. It adds liquid and moisture to the soup.
  • V-8 juice – This is a flavor enhancement filled with all the nutrients from eight ingredients everyone loves.
  • Diced tomatoes – Italian diced tomatoes from a can are poured into the soup. Tomatoes have a rich flavor with a great source of vitamins.
  • Onion – Slice and chop the onion into small pieces.
  • Garlic – Minced garlic cloves have their own health benefits.
  • Mushrooms – Slice the mushrooms into thin slices.
  • Vegetables – Carrots, zucchini, and squash are peeled and sliced in uniform sizes to help them cook and soften at the same time.
  • Green beans – Fresh or frozen green beans work well.
  • Kidney beans – Drained and rinsed thoroughly in a strainer. Add more types of lentils for more protein.
  • Cabbage – Shredded cabbage softens and adds flavor to the base of the soup.
  • Italian seasoning – Adds flavor and seasoning to the weight-loss soup.
Large bowl of Weight Loss Magic Soup garnished with parsley.

How to Benefit from Weight Loss Soup

You still need to get a healthy amount of calories (about 1,200 a day) to lose weight at a healthy rate. For best results follow this diet plan we have found to work!

  1. Breakfast – Eat a healthy breakfast in the morning, focusing on lean proteins.
  2. Lunch – Eat a bowl of Weight Loss Magic Soup for lunch.
  3. Snack – Have another bowl of the delicious vegetable soup for an afternoon snack.
  4. Dinner – Then, at dinnertime, eat a bowl of the weight loss soup along with a serving of lean protein and a serving of whole grain, for example, a 4-ounce chicken breast and ½ cup of brown rice.
  5. Water – Drink plenty of water during the day to stay hydrated.
  6. Work out – Exercise at least 30 minutes 5 or more days a week for maximum results.
Weight Loss Magic Soup with a ladle in a crock pot.

Will I Gain All My Weight Back Afterwards?

It’s important to note that we don’t recommend following this strict diet for more than seven days. After a week, be sure to maintain a healthy diet, having this soup intermittently until you reach your desired weight. I like to think of this as a positive kick-off to my diet, a way to shed pounds and gain some confidence as I continue with my lifestyle change.

A great way to help with portion control is to eat a bowl of soup before you eat your regular meal. The soup will fill your stomach with healthy vegetables, and you will feel less hungry during your meal.

Crock pot with tomato broth, sliced zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, cabbage, mushrooms and spoon.

Substitutions for Weight Loss Soup

Vegetables – You can substitute any vegetable. Just try to avoid starch ones like potatoes, peas, or corn if you can. Kale, spinach, and celery are delicious and filling substitutions.

Chicken broth – Beef broth or vegetable broth can be used instead of chicken broth. Feel free to use low-sodium broth or make your own.

Protein – We use kidney beans in our recipe to add some protein to this soup. White beans, pinto beans, black beans, or red beans can also be used and the calorie count will stay the same. You can also use lean ground beef or ground turkey, but keep in mind that the calorie count will go up.

Placing a lid on a crock pot full of Weight Loss Magic Soup.

Instant Pot Weight Loss Soup

We received a comment from Samantha, who made this soup in her Instant Pot. Thank you for sharing this, Samantha! Read her review on how she made the weight-loss soup in the instant pot!

“I did it in the instant pot! I sauteed the onions, garlic, carrots, green beans, and mushrooms in olive oil. Then, I added broth and gave it a good stir to scrape up bits. I added Kale instead of cabbage and cooked it for 5 minutes. Quick release, add zucchini and stir. Add tomatoes last and don’t stir. Cook another 5 minutes and quickly release. I didn’t add beans or tomato juice. I sprinkled it with parmesan and it was wonderful!”

Spices and Herbs to Use for Seasoning

In addition to the onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, and the seasonings in the diced tomatoes and V-8 juice, you can add any of the following additional seasonings!

  • Basil
  • Oregano
  • Thyme
  • Parsley
  • Sage
  • Red Pepper Flakes
  • Tony Chachere’s Cajun Seasoning
Large bowl of Weight Loss Magic Soup with spoon on the side.

“Wow!! Just made this! I’ve never made soup before and it tastes AMAZING!! Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe!”

-Kristen

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does weight loss soup last?

This weight-loss soup recipe makes about 20 cups of soup, so you will have plenty to eat all week long. It stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to seven days and freezes beautifully. Make a double or triple batch and store it in the freezer for up to three months.

Can I eat weight-loss soup for every meal?

It is always good to have a variety of meals each day. This is a great way to start a healthy new year and diet but is also good to have variations of meals for more nutritional value.

How much weight can I expect to lose with weight-loss soup?

The amount of weight loss varies for each person. There are several variables to consider when using this weight-loss soup. Some examples are exercise, hydration, and body structure or type. These can all have an effect on the amount of weight you can lose and how quickly you lose it.

More Healthy Soup Recipes

Weight Loss Magic Soup in a crock pot.

Weight Loss Soup

5 from 248 votes
Weight Loss Soup is the perfect recipe to a healthier you in 2023! If you are looking to drop a few pounds this low-calorie, high-fiber soup is healthy, flavorful, and really fills you up!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 20 cups

Video

Ingredients

  • 32 ounces chicken broth you may use low-sodium
  • 3 cups V-8 juice *see recipe notes
  • 28 ounces Italian diced tomatoes
  • 1 small onion
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
  • 3 carrots peeled and sliced
  • 1 zucchini diced
  • 1 yellow squash diced
  • 2 cups green beans fresh or frozen
  • 14 ounces kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 3 to 4 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  • In a large frying pan sprayed with cooking spray, saute garlic, onions, carrots, and mushrooms for about 5 minutes. 
    Skillet with sautéed mushrooms, carrots and onion. Wooden spoon on the side.
  • In a large crockpot, combine sauteed garlic and vegetables with the remaining ingredients. 
    Crock pot with tomato broth, sliced zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, cabbage, mushrooms and spoon.
  • Cook on high for 2-3 hours, or until vegetables are fork-tender.
    Placing a lid on a crock pot full of Weight Loss Magic Soup.
  • FREEZING INSTRUCTIONS
    This makes a large batch of soup. If you would like to freeze portions of it to use later, undercook the vegetables just a little. Pour the soup into freezer Ziplock bags and let as much air out as you can. Lay the bags flat on a cookie sheet and freeze. Once the soup is frozen flat, it is easy to layer in your freezer and won't take up much room. To thaw, place the bag in the fridge for 24 hours and then reheat.
    Weight Loss Magic Soup in a crock pot.

Notes

*You can also use low-sodium V-8 juice, tomato juice, vegetable juice, or homemade tomato juice.  Try our Homemade Canned Tomato Juice.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1cupCalories: 57kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 225mgPotassium: 424mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1855IUVitamin C: 22.9mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 1.5mg

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About the author

Echo Blickenstaff

Echo lives in Spanish Fork, Utah with her husband, Todd, who works in advertising. She has four kids: two girls and two boys. She deploys her accounting degree as the blog’s resident problem solver. In her time outside the kitchen, Echo loves to get away from the phones and busy schedules and spend quality time with the family. Anywhere’s great – but getting out into nature in the mountains or on the beach – is the best kind of getaway.

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5 from 248 votes (182 ratings without comment)

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Comments

    1. I usually do this for a full 7 days… last time I did it, I lost 8Lbs… but I was REALLY strict and did a lot of exercise. We are playing around with the idea of making an e-book with a menu/exercise plan to help you maximize your results. Would you be interested in something like that?

        1. I would be really interested in this also, however I have an iron deficiency, so get tired real easy, any suggestions?

          1. Probably the best thing to do would be to talk to your doctor if you were looking to lose weight… sorry, I don’t want to give you bad advice!

          2. for Iron deficiency add spinach, cooked spinach is supposed to be better than raw spinach for iron deficient person’s or at least it has helped me! But my doctor also suggested an iron pill to help!

      1. 5 stars
        I would love the e book exercise/ eating plan as I am new to this weight loss venture need to get weight down and watch carbs thanks

  1. This looks sooo good! But, isn’t it going to be a whole lot of sodium?? Each can of soup has about 350 -400mgs of soup…

    1. Oh my goodness people, please READ THE RECIPE! She has addressed the salt content and given substitute suggestIons. She’s addressed the nutritional data and if you would read the post you would know this. Are you not embarrassed to ask the same question over and over again?

      I’m not sure the soup diet should be your first priority. Perhaps reading comprehension would be a good place to start.

    1. You may need to put the recipe/ingredients in one of those nutrition sites to figure that out. I don’t know much about diabetes so the best thing I would say is to ask your doctor…

      1. This soup would be very good for diabetics as there are no added sugars, only the small amount of natural ones in the veggies. The starch in the beans could raise the blood sugar a little, but is offset by the fiber. I would lower the sodium by making my own V-8 juice and chicken broth. Overall a very good choice for everyone, including diabetics.

  2. Can we sub the V-8 juice? I have a heart condition that requires me to watch salt content, and I find V-8 juice super salty. Thanks!

  3. 5 stars
    I have some cooking in my crockpot right now…smells so good! Thanks for adding the nutritional info!

    Be Blessed!

  4. Instead of spinach, what else could be substituted for the cabbage? Cooked cabbage is not a flavor that I like and I have some who are not crazy about spinach. Since there is a lot of cabbage in the recipe, something else would have to replace the cabbage. Do you have a list of suggestions? I can’t wait to try this!!

  5. Im going to eat the soup just like it is but hubby likes meat so i was wondering what kind of meat would be good in this?

    1. My mom has a recipe just like this – we call it “cabbage soup” but the official name is “weight watchers beef vegetable soup” or something like that. Ours is pretty much the same, except it has some cooked ground beef in it. It calls for tomato juice instead of V-8 (or at least I always used our canned tomato juice instead of V-8 so I no longer even notice it says V-8?) I prefer more broth and less tomato juice so I change the proportions slightly. It’s great made in either the crockpot (with pre-cooked meat of course) or simmered on the stove. Leftover veggies go great in here too. Really don’t taste the cabbage, at least I don’t. I don’t think my recipe has dried beans but that’s because we don’t need it with the beef? It’s good. It’s actually a Christmas lunch tradition for us.

    1. I lost 8 Lbs in one week before my wedding…. but I was REALLY strict and it was combined with working out. I had the soup 3x a day and a really light dinner.. like baked chicken or a salad. This is a great diet kick-off. I usually do it for one week before starting a regular diet. It just gives me that initial push that I need to get started!

  6. I’m having a hard time believing/understanding that the instructions would say “Cook on high for 2-3 hours, or until vegetables are cooked.” for canned or soft veggies that require little cooking time. Perhaps a typo? If on HIGH for 2-3 hours, I’ve the feeling the liquid would burn off to nothing.

    1. Cook on high for 2 to 3 hours in a crockpot (or slow cooker). You would definitely not want to cook in on high over the stove for that long! Haha 🙂

    2. It says to cook 2-3 hours on high in a crockpot. That is why it will not dry out, as for the can vegetables, there should not be an issue with them in a crockpot for 2-3 hours. Stovetop is entirely different type of cooking from crockpot.

      1. Quick question. I know it says cook on high, can I do it on low and double the time or does it make it too soggy? Thanks

        1. Can can simmer it on low for a longer amount of time but I would wait to add the vegetables that can get soggy (such as the carrots and squash) until 2-3 hours before serving… even if it is on low heat. Hope this helps!

    1. I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one thinking the same thing. Surely, I’m not the only one that knows you should read a recipe completely before making it.

      1. 5 stars
        To funny folks!! We need a “for real?” button!! bahahaha….just read and you will find you answers I did!! btw…I LOVE this soup and I added some boneless chicken breast..pre-cooked ..for extra protein as I need 124 gm a day!! Yum Yum

    1. I did my first batch on the stove top. Have to cook at medium, not high, so it won’t boil over. I still had to cook it for 3 hours unless you like your veggies under done. I know some do and believe it’s better that way. Less “gassy” to me, if it’s cooked slow and longer. 🙂 also the flavors blend to a richness. If you are looking for fast, maybe a pressure cooker? but I wouldn’t know the setting.

  7. Hi, you said in one of your comments the soup doesn’t contain fat but in the nutrition facts, it shows that it does. Also, would this be okay to eat ALL THE TIME? Thank you!

    1. The fat content technically isn’t enough to count on weight watchers or calorie counting diets. You could eat it in place of lunch and dinner and if you feel hungry in-between and it’s a great low calorie filler full of vitamins and nutrients.

    1. You can sub out any of the vegetables, just try to stay away from starches like corn and potatoes. I just made a batch with kale and butternut squash in it and it turned out really good!

      1. What did you put in the kale and butternut. I did this soup before .When ever I was hunger I ate the soup. My kids loved it too, but the cabbage gives you alot of gas and to much salt. I have high blood pressure so I’m looking for some kind of soup that will full me

        1. I used the low sodium chicken broth, or you can make your own if you have the time by cooking down a couple of chicken thighs with minced onion, carrot, garlic & celery (optional). salt substitute & pepper optional. Remove the thighs when cooked and set aside or freeze for some other recipe. Let broth cool in fridge. Any fat turns to solid on the top. Just scoop out and throw away the fat. also the low sodium V8 juice is available. If you use all fresh veggies, you have control over salt content. You could even stew your own cut up fresh tomato’s with Italian spice depending on how much salt you need to control but since the recipe makes a huge pot and you need some salt, you may not need to go that far. Ask you doctor. Do they make low sodium diced canned tomato’s? I haven’t looked.
          Good Luck! to both of us. 🙂
          mary Z

          1. they make canned tomatoes “NO SALT ADDED”. I use those with one can of regular and plenty of salt for us.. can’t wait to try this soup. Wanting to loose about 20 lbs.

  8. What size cans are the chicken broth, beans, & tomatoes? Thanx for this recipe. Been looking for a nice vegetable soup that’s filling but low on calories. My diet is protein-driven but these veggie-carbs are exactly what I needed…low in calories & filling & fuel me up.

      1. the usual size of broth cans I see are 32 oz not 16, but beans and tomatoes are 16 oz??? do you really mean 2 16 oz cans of broth? why not one 32 oz can? or is it supposed to be 2 -32 oz cans of broth? thanks- very confusing……

        1. It is definitely two 16 ounce cans of chicken broth or one 32 ounce can. I corrected it on the recipe. Thank you!

  9. Would it be possible to get the nutritional information for this soup? I mainly would like to know how many carbs per serving.

          1. I just updated the recipe to include the nutritional information. The dietary fiber is 4.5 per serving.

          1. I don’t see the nutritional information in the recipe. When you updated it, where did you put it?

          2. I just added it to the paragraph above the recipe. But, here it is for your reference.
            The nutrition info is for 1 cup of soup:
            57 calories
            11 carbs
            0 fat
            3 protein
            398 sodium

        1. The sodium content varies slightly on different brands of low sodium products. If you use low sodium V-8, chicken broth, and diced tomatoes and don’t add salt, the sodium count per serving will be reduced to approximately 42 mg depending on the brand. Thank you for asking!

    1. I hope you enjoy it! This soup is great for weight loss because it is very filling and very low in calories. You can do it!!! 🙂

  10. Would cannellini or navy beans do as well and have as much an effect on weight loss as kidney beans? Thank you.

    1. Any kind of beans you like in soup will do. Beans add fiber and protein to the soup. I like kidney beans or red beans in this soup because it gives it gives it the flavor of a minestrone soup.

      1. Do baked beans count too? If I drain the tomato sauce?

        Also what do you suggest after the 7 days of the magic soup? Do you have any long term diet programs?

        After I complete the 7 days, I’m thinking of starting the program at: http://www.TheVenusGuide.com – Would you recommend?

        Sorry for so many questions lol

          1. Yes, you can add ground turkey to the soup. It will add more protein and flavor with very few calories. If you use 1 lb of ground turkey in the recipe, it would add 33 calories per cup of soup.

    2. The soup sounds wonderful and I am sure it tastes very good.. I will have to try it myself but really there is no such thing as weight loss magic soup..
      Let’s keep it real..
      Eat smart and EXERCISE.
      #paystobefit

      1. Please tell me you don’t really think anyone believes this soup will make them “magically” lose weight? We all know it is smart food choices, and exercise that make weight come off or stay off!

        1. You are absolutely right. This is a great low-cal option that is also filling that will help you shed those pounds!

          1. made it, love it, and it really helped me. Kept me from making poor choices when hungry. It’s great for lunch and a little before dinner or as a snack, so I don’t overeat. Helps me avoid those vending machines and fast food junk. Thanks so much.
            mary

        2. If you have the weight to lose & don’t eat junk food, thinking eating the soup will take the weight off, yes it does-Terri. No it isn’t magical, but most people who are desparate to lose weight need to see immediate results for encouragement to keep going, this will do it. It does not carry the daily nutritional value you need, but snaking on it between meals is better than grabbing a cookie. It is worth trying, as opposed to resigning yourself to being an unhealthy weight.

          1. I’ve eaten this now for the 3rd day, 1 -2 bowls a day and it delish, but this need s to be a colonoscopy prep! I had to come home from work! It was awful but great at the same time! Think I’ll lay off a couple days!

        3. 5 stars
          SALT is the #1 reason people cannot loose weight even if dieting. Ever look at the salt content of that can of Low Sodium V-8. Horribly high and also will increase your potassium significantly. NOT a good choice anytime. Sorry to burst your bubble, but this is enough sodium to do serious damage to your blood pressure, weight, heart, kidney’s- think, people, think.

          1. If you are worried about the salt content, please read the FAQ section of the post. We list alternatives if you need to make this low-sodium

          2. not true. i have lost 80lbs by diet only, no exercise, and always had a high sodium diet. and if you do some current research, sodium is not as bad as it was once thought to be.

      2. In 2008, I went to see my primary physician for an appointment. I notice that he had lost weight, and I asked him how he did it. (I needed to lose weight, as well). He told me it’s called “The Soup Diet”. Also, no white potatoes, no white rice, no bread, no pasta. I had a bowl at each meal (including breakfast) along with a side (meat or veggies). I rode my tricycle as much as possible, or walked. I lost 40 lbs.! Surprised the heck out of me, believe me! If I can do it, you can do it! REMEMBER — NO WHITE STUFF! And don’t eat anything after 6 PM. Drink lots of water!

        1. I work weird hours, so I just have to think of my ‘get to work time’ as 8 am, no matter what time it really is. lol. This soup is really helping me. I added celery and fresh spinach to the recipe. Just started and ended my second week. 10 lbs gone! I’ve been walking when I take a break at work, getting my mile in for the day, even if not all at once. I’ve got a long way to go but I’ll get there. This soup really taste’s great. Love minestrone and I just passed the recipe to my brother as we are both trying to loose.
          Mary Z

          1. Mary!!! Wow! 10 Lbs!!! That is awesome! Great work!!!!!!! That is a huge accomplishment! Seriously, way to go!

          2. Mary, waht are you eating besides the soup, and how much of the soup are you eating? I have a lot of weight to lose and I really enjoy the soup, I’m just not sure how much I should have and what else I can eat to get results. Congrats on the weight loss!

          1. Then obviously the answer to that is to eat asap and keep a strict schedule to not eat, say after 7 or 8, but you’d be better off not eating a huge meal, maybe if you can bring snacks to work, have some before leaving.

      3. 5 stars
        Really, was that necessary. This is a low calorie quick start. It also states healthy eating and working out.

    3. Cannellini beans ARE kidney beans. They’re white kidney beans and I love them. This soup sounds fast simple and extremely low fat — however! I would require a meat source. Largely chopped boneless/skinless/cleaned chicken thighs would add such flavor, protien, enjoyment and chewability to this soup AND with very little fat added to the soup. saute till golden brown on 2 sides them add the veggies and make the soup. Yum!

      1. Actually, beans is a suitable source of protein for those who are not meat-lovers. Chicken would be fine as it’s low in saturated fat. But it’s not a necessity 😉 Sometimes going meatless helps get the digestive tract cleaned out.

        1. I am a vegetarian, not a vegan, and I think this is a wonderful soup. Thank you for sharing 🙂 No complaints here.

        2. Beans are not a complete protein…you red toad corn to the soup to provide a complete protein…reason Navajo s ate that particular combination.

        3. I will try this soup. Looks very nice. One question: may be is too much to boil veggies for 2-3 hours. Is it a data entry error?

    4. I am sure this question has been asked, but I scrolled down a LONG way and never found it. Is the serving size 1 cup per meal?

          1. Hi Jordan, per 1 cup serving of Weight Loss Magic Soup there are 3 grams protein, 11 carbs, and 0 grams fat. Thanks for asking!

    5. I have colitis so therefore when i make this soup i cannot put in cabbage.
      Have any ideas of a replacement? Kale, perhaps?