Cabbage Roll Soup

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Cabbage Roll Soup is a hearty, comforting dish that captures all the flavors of traditional cabbage rolls in a simple, one-pot recipe. Packed with tender cabbage, savory beef, and a rich tomato broth, it’s perfect for a cozy family dinner or a weeknight meal.

Prep Time20

Cook Time50

Total Time1 10

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Cabbage roll soup

Servings: servings

Calories: 167kcal

Author: Chef Jenn

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup yellow onion finely diced
4 cloves garlic minced
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons paprika
½ tablespoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
4 cups cabbage chopped
14.5 ounces can diced tomatoes undrained
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon maggi sauce optional
6 cups beef broth use low or no-sodium added
½ cup long grain rice uncooked
½ tablespoon sea salt
½ teaspoon ground pepper
parsley optional garnish

Instructions

Heat a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until browned and the onion is softened. Drain any excess fat.
Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, thyme, and bay leaf. Cook for about 1 minute. Add the chopped cabbage and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to soften.
Pour in the beef broth and stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juices), rice, cider vinegar, Maggi Sauce (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix everything well.
Increase the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil. Stir occasionally, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking.
Check that the rice is fully cooked and the cabbage is tender. Remove the bay leaf, adjust seasoning if needed, and ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with parsley if desired and serve hot.

Notes

Chef Jenn's Tips

Use a heavy-bottomed pot to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
If you don’t have Maggi Sauce, substitute with 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce for similar umami flavor.
For a vegetarian option, use plant-based crumbles and vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
Don’t skip the vinegar—it brightens the flavors and balances the richness of the soup.
Taste and adjust seasoning before serving for the best flavor.

Nutrition