Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe
Get ready to fall in love with all the flavors of classic cabbage rolls, but in a cozy, fuss-free soup form! Cabbage Roll Soup brings together tender green cabbage, hearty ground beef, sweet carrots, tangy tomatoes, and aromatic spices in a tomato-rich broth. It’s everything you crave about the traditional dish—savory, comforting, and satisfying—but with a fraction of the effort and cleanup. Perfect for a busy night or a lazy weekend, this recipe will become your new go-to for when you want a wholesome, filling dish that tastes like home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This one-pot wonder celebrates simple pantry staples and fresh veggies. Each ingredient is essential for building up those deep, classic flavors and giving the soup its signature texture and heartiness. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Olive oil: Just a splash helps you brown the beef and soften the vegetables, adding a subtle richness to the base.
- Ground beef: The star protein creates the savory backbone of the soup. Choose lean ground beef for a lighter version.
- Yellow onion: Diced onions offer sweetness and depth to balance the flavorful broth.
- Garlic: Two cloves are all you need for a fragrant, savory punch—don’t skip it!
- Green cabbage: Chopped cabbage is the soul of this soup, giving it color, crunch, and that irresistible cabbage roll vibe.
- Carrots: Sliced carrots provide gentle sweetness and gorgeous color in every bowl.
- Diced tomatoes: Canned tomatoes make things easy while adding tang and body to the broth.
- Tomato sauce: This thickens the soup and brings a comforting, robust tomato flavor.
- Beef broth: The ultimate savory base—use homemade or store-bought, and go low-sodium if you prefer.
- White rice: Uncooked rice simmers in the pot to bulk up the soup and add comforting texture.
- Worcestershire sauce: This secret ingredient deepens the umami and boosts the overall savoriness.
- Paprika: Just a teaspoon lends warmth and subtle smoke. Regular, sweet, or smoked all work well here.
- Dried thyme: Half a teaspoon infuses herby notes that brighten every spoonful.
- Salt and pepper: These bring out all the flavors—add to taste at every step for perfect seasoning.
- Bay leaf: A single leaf works its aromatic magic while the soup simmers; don’t forget to remove it before serving.
How to Make Cabbage Roll Soup
Step 1: Brown the Beef
In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once shimmering, add your ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon until it’s nicely browned and no longer pink. If you notice extra grease in the pot, pour it off carefully to keep the soup lighter and clearer.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the browned beef. Let them cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the onion softens and everything becomes fragrant. This step builds a deeper flavor base, ensuring your Cabbage Roll Soup is layered and aromatic.
Step 3: Add Cabbage and Carrots
Stir in the chopped green cabbage and sliced carrots. Cook for about 5 minutes, letting the veggies soften ever so slightly. This quick sauté ‘wakes up’ the cabbage flavor and helps the carrots develop their natural sweetness.
Step 4: Build the Broth
Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juice), tomato sauce, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Add the uncooked white rice, paprika, thyme, salt, pepper, and the bay leaf. Give the soup a good stir so everything is well-combined and cheerful in the pot.
Step 5: Simmer to Perfection
Bring the whole mixture to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let your Cabbage Roll Soup simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. The rice will absorb some of that delicious broth, and the vegetables will turn meltingly tender. Don’t forget to remove the bay leaf before serving!
How to Serve Cabbage Roll Soup
Garnishes
A soup this comforting deserves a few final touches. Freshly chopped parsley adds a pop of color and brightness, while a sprinkle of grated Parmesan takes it up a notch. For a bit of tang, add a dollop of sour cream or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice right at the table.
Side Dishes
Cabbage Roll Soup plays wonderfully with rustic sides. Pair it with crusty bread, a buttery dinner roll, or even a slice of garlic toast to soak up every drop. A simple cucumber salad or a plate of pickles offers a refreshing contrast to the hearty flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Try ladling your soup into individual soup crocks for a homestyle feel, or serve it in a bread bowl for a fun, edible twist! For meal-prep or lunchbox options, divide into mason jars or thermoses for on-the-go, spill-proof servings that stay warm until you’re ready to dig in.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Cabbage Roll Soup becomes even tastier as the flavors meld. Cool the soup completely, then store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. The rice will continue to absorb broth, so the soup gets even more hearty by day two.
Freezing
If you’re planning ahead, this soup freezes beautifully! Let it cool fully, then transfer to freezer-safe bags or containers. It’ll keep for up to 3 months. To avoid mushy rice, you can even freeze the soup before adding the rice, then simmer fresh rice in when reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If the mixture has thickened too much, just add a splash of water or broth until it reaches your desired consistency. All that’s left to do is ladle up and enjoy!
FAQs
Can I make Cabbage Roll Soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap the ground beef for plant-based crumbles or cooked lentils, and use vegetable broth. The soup remains just as hearty and flavorful, perfect for a meatless meal.
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, brown rice works perfectly in Cabbage Roll Soup. Just remember to increase the simmer time by 10–15 minutes, or until the rice is tender to your liking.
Is this soup gluten-free?
Cabbage Roll Soup is naturally gluten-free as written. Just double-check that your Worcestershire sauce and broth are certified gluten-free, since brands can vary.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
You can! Brown the beef, onion, and garlic first, then add everything (except the rice) to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours; add rice for the final 30 minutes so it doesn’t become mushy.
How can I add extra veggies?
No rules here—feel free to stir in bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach along with the cabbage and carrots. The soup is a great vehicle for cleaning out your crisper drawer while keeping those classic Cabbage Roll Soup vibes.
Final Thoughts
Once you make a pot of Cabbage Roll Soup, you’ll see why it’s such a treasured favorite—big on comfort, easy on effort, and full of homestyle flavor. I hope you gather your ingredients and give this recipe a try soon. There’s just something about this cozy, nourishing bowl that keeps you coming back for more!
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Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This hearty and comforting Cabbage Roll Soup recipe is a deconstructed version of traditional cabbage rolls, packed with savory flavors and wholesome ingredients. It’s a satisfying meal perfect for colder days.
Ingredients
Meat Mixture:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Soup Base:
- 4 cups chopped green cabbage
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup uncooked white rice
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat: In a large soup pot, heat olive oil and brown the ground beef with onion and garlic. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Cook the Vegetables: Add cabbage and carrots, cooking until slightly softened.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, rice, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, thyme, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Simmer until rice is tender.
- Finish and Serve: Remove bay leaf, adjust seasoning, and serve hot.
Notes
- For a leaner alternative, try ground turkey or chicken.
- Brown rice can be a nutritious swap for white rice, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
- This soup freezes well, making it a great make-ahead option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
