The Best Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe: Cozy Comfort in a Bowl

Cozy winter nights call for a delightful cabbage roll soup that warms your soul and brings comfort to the table.

Memories of grandma’s kitchen inspired this recipe, blending traditional flavors with modern simplicity.

Tender cabbage leaves dance with savory ground meat in a rich, aromatic broth.

hearty vegetables add depth and nutrition to every spoonful.

Polish and Ukrainian culinary traditions shine through each carefully crafted bite.

Minimal ingredients create maximum flavor, making this soup a perfect weeknight meal.

Dive into a bowl that promises to chase away the chilliest evening blues and satisfy your deepest hunger.

Cabbage Roll Soup – Comfort in a Bowl

• Dump all ingredients into one pot and let it cook effortlessly, perfect for busy weeknights when you want delicious food without complicated cooking steps.
• Loaded with protein from ground beef, fiber-rich cabbage, and hearty rice, this soup delivers a balanced meal that keeps you satisfied and energized.
• Warm, filling, and reminiscent of traditional cabbage rolls, this soup provides ultimate comfort with its rich flavors and soul-warming qualities that hug you from the inside out.
• Uses affordable, accessible ingredients that stretch to feed a crowd, making it an economical choice for families or gatherings without sacrificing taste or quality.

Ingredients for a Hearty Cabbage Soup

• Ground Beef: A flavorful and hearty meat that provides the main protein for this comforting soup.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic ingredients that create a rich and deep flavor foundation for the soup.
• Cabbage, Carrots: Fresh vegetables that add texture, nutrition, and a rustic feel to the dish.
• Diced Tomatoes: A juicy ingredient that contributes acidity and moisture to the soup.

• Worcestershire Sauce: A tangy condiment that enhances the overall depth of flavor.
• Oregano, Basil: Classic herbs that bring a Mediterranean-inspired taste to the soup.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and highlight the other ingredients.

• Rice: A filling grain that absorbs the soup's flavors and adds satisfying substance.
• Parsley: A fresh herb used as an optional garnish to brighten the dish.
• Cooking Oil: A neutral fat used to sauté the initial ingredients and prevent sticking.
• Broth: A liquid base that provides additional flavor and helps cook the ingredients.

How to Build Cabbage Roll Soup Easily

Step 1: Awaken the Aromatics

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Toss in diced onions and let them dance and soften for 3-4 minutes.

Add minced garlic and let it sizzle for another minute, releasing its magical fragrance.

Step 2: Transform the Meat

Introduce ground beef to the pot, breaking it into small crumbles.

Brown the meat thoroughly, stirring occasionally, until it develops a rich golden color and releases its delicious flavors.

Step 3: Welcome Vegetable Friends

• Chopped cabbage
• Diced carrots

Let the vegetables mingle and soften for about 5 minutes, creating a colorful and tender base for your soup.

Step 4: Build Flavor Layers

• Diced tomatoes
• Broth

• Worcestershire sauce
• Oregano
• Basil
• Salt
• Pepper

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, allowing all ingredients to become best friends.

Step 5: Introduce Rice

Stir uncooked rice into the bubbling soup.

Reduce heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently.

Cook for 20-25 minutes until rice becomes tender and absorbs all the incredible flavors.

Step 6: Serve with Love

Remove from heat and let the soup rest for a few moments.

Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy.

Enjoy this warm, comforting embrace in a bowl!

Tips for Rich Flavor and Texture Balance

• Add a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar to intensify the soup's richness and complexity.
• Rinse rice before adding to prevent clumping and ensure separate, fluffy grains in the soup.
• Choose lean ground beef or swap with ground turkey for a lighter, healthier version without sacrificing taste.
• Toss in extra vegetables like celery or bell peppers to increase nutritional value and add more color and texture.
• This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making it an excellent meal prep option for busy weeknights.

How to Save and Reheat Cabbage Roll Soup

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the soup remains fresh and tasty.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. Properly sealed, the soup will maintain quality for up to 3 months. Leave some space at the top for expansion.
• Move frozen soup to the refrigerator overnight for gradual thawing. Alternatively, use the defrost setting on the microwave for quick thawing.
• Warm soup in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Microwave in short intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of broth if the soup seems too thick.

What to Serve with This Cozy Soup

• Perfectly Paired Wine Companion: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir that complements the soup's rich beef and vegetable profile, cutting through its hearty flavors with gentle tannins and smooth fruit notes.
• Rustic Bread Sidekick: Serve warm, crusty sourdough or rustic rye bread alongside the soup, allowing diners to soak up the flavorful broth and add a delightful textural contrast to each spoonful.
• Refreshing Beverage Match: Opt for a crisp, cold Czech-style pilsner beer that provides a light, hoppy counterpoint to the soup's robust meat and vegetable base, cleansing the palate between bites.
• Herbaceous Green Salad Accompaniment: Prepare a simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing to balance the soup's richness, adding a fresh, zesty element to the meal that enhances the overall dining experience.

Alternate Takes on Cabbage Roll Soup

• Vegetarian Cabbage Roll Soup: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for a meat-free version. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth for added depth.
• Keto-Friendly Adaptation: Swap rice with cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrates. Choose ground turkey or chicken for leaner protein. Skip the carrots and use low-carb vegetables like zucchini.
• Gluten-Free Option: Ensure Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free or substitute with tamari. Use certified gluten-free broth and verify all ingredient labels for hidden gluten sources.
• Mediterranean Spin: Add chickpeas for extra protein. Include fresh herbs like oregano and mint. Use olive oil for sauteing and sprinkle feta cheese on top for a Mediterranean flair.

FAQs

• Are cabbage rolls and cabbage roll soup the same?

No, cabbage rolls are individual stuffed cabbage leaves, while cabbage roll soup deconstructs those ingredients into a one-pot meal with similar flavors and ingredients.

• Can I use different types of ground meat?

Absolutely! You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork based on your preference or dietary needs.

• Is this soup nutritionally balanced?

Yes, this soup provides a good balance of protein from ground beef, carbohydrates from rice, and vegetables like cabbage and carrots, making it a complete and nutritious meal.

• How can I make the soup more flavorful?

Enhance the flavor by adding a splash of red wine, using homemade beef broth, or garnishing with fresh herbs like dill or additional parsley to boost the taste profile.

Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty cabbage roll soup blends traditional Eastern European comfort with modern culinary simplicity. Rich layers of ground beef, tender cabbage, and savory tomato broth deliver a soul-warming meal you’ll crave during chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef (or turkey)
• 1 medium head of green cabbage, chopped
• 1 cup uncooked rice

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) diced tomatoes
• 4 cups (32 ounces / 946 milliliters) beef or vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious cooking vessel and warm olive oil over medium heat, gently sautéing diced onions until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
2. Introduce ground beef into the pot, methodically crumbling the meat and allowing it to brown thoroughly, eliminating any visible pink areas, which typically requires 5-7 minutes of continuous stirring.
3. Incorporate finely chopped cabbage and diced carrots, enabling them to soften and release their natural moisture while developing rich flavor profiles for about 5 minutes.
4. Pour in diced tomatoes and savory broth, then season with Worcestershire sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper, creating a robust liquid foundation.
5. Carefully introduce uncooked rice into the simmering mixture, reducing heat to low, covering the pot, and allowing the ingredients to meld together for 20-25 minutes until rice reaches perfect tenderness.
6. Remove from heat, permit the soup to rest momentarily for flavors to harmonize, then ladle into warm bowls and garnish with fresh parsley for an elegant finishing touch.

Notes

• Customize meat choices by swapping ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based alternatives for dietary preferences.
• Control sodium levels by using low-sodium broth and monitoring added salt during cooking.
• Enhance texture by cutting cabbage into uniform bite-sized pieces for consistent cooking and easier eating.
• Boost nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or zucchini during the vegetable sautéing stage.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Eastern European

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 18g
• Cholesterol: 60mg