Description
Cabbage Roll Soup is a hearty, one-pot dish that captures all the comforting flavors of traditional cabbage rolls—without the rolling. Made with ground meat, tender cabbage, tomatoes, and rice, it's perfect for chilly nights.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef, ground turkey, or plant-based alternative
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6–8 cups chopped cabbage (about ½ small head)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 4 cups beef broth (or chicken/vegetable broth for vegetarian version)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, but recommended)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup uncooked white rice or 1 cup cooked rice (added at the end)
- Optional garnishes: chopped fresh parsley or dill, sour cream or Greek yogurt, crusty bread or dinner rolls for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook until browned, draining excess fat if needed.
- Stir in onion and garlic; cook for 3–5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add chopped cabbage and stir for 2–3 minutes. Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, thyme, and bay leaf. Stir well.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- If using uncooked rice, add and simmer for another 20–25 minutes until the rice is cooked and cabbage is tender. If using pre-cooked rice, stir it in during the last 5 minutes.
- Remove bay leaf. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot with optional garnishes.
Notes
- Green cabbage works best, but Savoy is a good alternative.
- To make it spicier, add hot sauce, red pepper flakes, or jalapeños.
- Use cooked brown rice or cauliflower rice for variation.
- Freezes well for up to 3 months; reheat with added broth if needed.
- Can be made in a slow cooker with pre-browned meat and sautéed aromatics.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
