Lean ground beef, fresh veggies, and brown rice cooked together in a thick, deeply savory tomato broth, this cozy cabbage roll soup is a protein, whole grain, and nutrient-packed all-in-one dinner. The ingredients and flavor profile are inspired by cabbage rolls, which are a common dish throughout most of Europe and much of Western Asia, Northern China, as well as parts of North Africa. Hungarian cabbage rolls are quite popular, and you’ll find versions in Poland, Russia, Ukraine, and more. Though the ingredients can vary depending on the specific location, a cabbage roll is traditionally a meat (usually beef, pork, or lamb) and rice filling wrapped inside cooked cabbage leaves. Most of the time, a variation of tomato sauce is added on top. Cabbage rolls are delicious. They’re also a legendary pain. The cabbage and filling are cooked separately, you need to set up a rolling station, and the sauce is cooked in yet another pot. I can see myself enjoying this sort of effort and process on a special weekend, but on a weeknight it’s 6 o’clock and I’m starving! situation, this unstuffed cabbage roll soup is the move. As the temperature cools, my appetite also gravitates toward hearty, healthy, simple ground beef recipes. I find myself relying on my trusted Crock Pot Hamburger Soup and Taco Skillet dishes time and time again. (For recipes with beef stew meat or sirloin, check out my Crockpot Vegetable Beef Soup, Crockpot Beef Stew, and Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff.) This cabbage roll soup also wins my heart for its earnestness.

The ingredients are humble, but the flavors are robust (I was inspired by traditional Hungarian cabbage roll soup and Lebanese cabbage roll soup).This recipe will stretch your dollar.It can feed a crowd and tastes equally fantastic leftover!

How to Make Cabbage Roll Soup

An easy, hearty meal simply made in one pot, cabbage roll soup is a faster option that will undoubtedly fill you up.

Lasts a While. Cabbage can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks. Yes, you read that right. This makes it a popular ingredient to keep available for home cooking.Is Really Healthy. Cabbage is loaded with vitamins (like vitamins K, C, and B6), nutrients (like iron), and antioxidants, all of which have many health benefits you can learn about here.Is Surprisingly Versatile. I usually serve my favorite Sauteed Cabbage or Winter Slaw as a side dish. But it’s perhaps even more fun to mix it into the recipe itself, like in this Cabbage Stir Fry.It’s Budget Friendly. Cabbage itself is inexpensive and as a whole, cabbage roll soup is also one of the most budget-friendly recipes you can make.

The Ingredients

Ground Beef. I love using lean ground beef here for both its health benefits (hello, protein and iron) and the deep flavor it adds to the soup.

Carrots + Parsnips. Two delicious root vegetables that help build flavor and add nutritional value to the soup. Green Cabbage. While cabbage tends to be a humble ingredient, it has a chance to shine here. It becomes delightfully tender and flavorful in the broth. Beef Broth + Tomato Sauce. The two main liquids for our soup. Both help build the soup’s rich flavor. Brown Rice. Following the classic recipes, I made this a cabbage roll soup with rice. Brown rice helps make it more hearty and filling. Herbs. Bay leaves, thyme, and oregano bring scrumptious flavor to the soup as it simmers. Maple Syrup. A touch of sweetness to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Worcestershire Sauce. Hello, deeply-flavored umami goodness!Sherry Vinegar. For a touch of brightness and acidity. It rounds the soup and makes it taste complete.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate soup in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days. To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers in a Dutch oven on the stovetop over medium-low heat. To Freeze. You can freeze stuffed cabbage soup. Freeze leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. 

Dutch Oven. A kitchen tool that will last you a lifetime. Extra Large Cutting Board. You’ll love having the extra space when chopping all the ingredients for this soup. Ladle. The ultimate soup serving tool.

You could also make this into a cabbage roll soup with ground turkey, lamb, or chicken. For another twist, try cabbage roll soup with sausage and ground beef (I’d do a 50/50 blend of each).

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