Try This Soul-Warming Stuffed Cabbage Soup Recipe Today

Comfort flows through every spoonful of this hearty stuffed cabbage soup that brings warmth to chilly evenings.

Traditional Eastern European flavors dance with tender cabbage and rich, savory broth.

Each bite carries memories of grandmother’s kitchen and generations of home cooking.

Slow-simmered ingredients meld together, creating a deeply satisfying meal that nourishes both body and soul.

Ground beef and rice nestle perfectly within soft cabbage leaves, releasing robust seasonings.

You’ll love how this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a soul-warming experience.

Grab a bowl and let this comforting soup transport you to a world of culinary comfort.

Why Stuffed Cabbage Soup Is a Favorite

• Effortless Hearty Soup
• No complicated techniques required, perfect for home cooks of all skill levels who want a delicious meal without stress.
• Packed with protein from ground beef, vitamins from cabbage and bell peppers, and filling rice, making it a complete and wholesome meal.
• Easily adaptable for picky eaters by adjusting spices, and great for batch cooking with leftovers that taste even better the next day.
• Minimal dishes, straightforward preparation, and maximum flavor mean less time cleaning and more time enjoying a warm, satisfying meal together.

What You Need for Stuffed Cabbage Soup

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that adds richness and depth to the soup.
• Cabbage: The star vegetable that provides a tender texture and mild flavor to the dish.
• Rice: A comforting grain that helps thicken the soup and makes it more filling.

• Onions, Bell Peppers: These vegetables create a flavorful base and add sweetness to the soup.

• Beef Broth: A savory liquid that forms the foundation of the soup's flavor profile.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Provide a tangy base and help create a rich, robust sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a complex, umami depth to the overall taste.

• Bay Leaf, Dill, Paprika: These seasonings contribute layers of traditional Eastern European flavor to the soup.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing the overall taste of the dish.

• Oil: Used for sautéing the initial ingredients and developing foundational flavors.
• Water or V8 Juice: Optional liquid for adjusting the soup's consistency if needed.

Cooking Steps for Cabbage Soup

Step 1: Sizzle and Brown the Goodness

Heat a large pot with oil over medium flame.

Toss in ground beef, chopped onions, and diced bell peppers.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Stir and cook until the beef turns a beautiful golden brown and vegetables become tender and fragrant.

The kitchen will start smelling incredible as these ingredients dance together.

Step 2: Create the Soup Foundation

• Chopped cabbage
• Crushed tomatoes
• Beef broth
• Bay leaf
• Dried dill
• Paprika
• Worcestershire sauce

Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

The aroma will start filling your entire kitchen with warmth.

Step 3: Let the Flavors Mingle

Reduce heat and let the soup simmer uncovered for 45 minutes.

During this time, the cabbage will soften and all the flavors will blend into a rich, comforting broth.

Occasionally stir to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Step 4: Introduce the Rice

Sprinkle rice into the soup and continue simmering for another 30 minutes.

Watch the pot and stir occasionally.

If the soup becomes too thick, add a splash of water or V8 juice to maintain the perfect consistency.

Step 5: Final Flavor Tuning

Taste the soup and adjust seasonings.

Feel free to add more salt, pepper, or a pinch of paprika.

Trust your taste buds and make it perfect for you.

Serve hot and enjoy the comforting warmth of this homemade soup.

Helpful Tips for Cabbage Soup

• Brown the ground beef thoroughly to develop a deep, rich taste that infuses the entire soup with savory goodness.
• Cut cabbage into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and prevent some parts from becoming mushy while others remain too firm.
• Add rice towards the end of cooking to prevent it from becoming overcooked and turning into a soggy mess that ruins the soup's texture.
• Keep extra broth or water nearby to adjust the soup's consistency if it becomes too thick during the simmering process.
• Taste and adjust seasonings gradually, remembering that flavors will continue to develop and intensify as the soup simmers.

Reheat and Store Cabbage Soup Right

• Transfer cooled soup to airtight containers and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Seal tightly to prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Pour soup into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some expansion space. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring a tight seal to prevent freezer burn.
• Pour desired portion into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Check temperature and continue heating until steaming hot.
• Pour soup into a pot, add a splash of water or broth to prevent sticking. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. This method helps maintain the soup's original texture and flavor.

Pairings for Stuffed Cabbage Soup

• Savor Wine Pairing: Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir or Zinfandel to complement the rich beef and tomato flavors, balancing the soup's hearty profile with its soft tannins and fruity undertones.
• Craft Beer Match: Select a dark lager or amber ale that echoes the soup's robust and earthy characteristics, providing a malty backbone that stands up to the meaty, cabbage-filled broth.
• Comfort Side Companion: Serve warm, crusty sourdough bread or garlic-rubbed rye toast alongside the soup, perfect for soaking up the flavorful broth and adding a delightful textural contrast.
• Fresh Herb Accent: Garnish with chopped fresh dill or parsley just before serving, brightening the soup's deep flavors and adding a clean, herbaceous note that lifts the entire dish.

Cabbage Soup Variations

• Vegetarian Cabbage Soup: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or firm tofu, ensuring a protein-packed meatless version that maintains the soup's hearty texture and flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Cabbage Soup: Swap rice with cauliflower rice or omit entirely, reducing carbohydrate content while keeping the soup's comforting essence intact for those following ketogenic or low-carb diets.
• Gluten-Free Friendly Version: Verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free, particularly the broth and Worcestershire sauce, making the recipe safe for individuals with gluten sensitivities.
• Slow Cooker Adaptation: Transfer all ingredients except rice into a slow cooker, cook on low for 6-8 hours, then add rice during the last 30 minutes for an effortless, hands-off preparation method.

FAQs

• Is this soup healthy?

Yes, it’s packed with nutritious ingredients like lean ground beef, cabbage, bell peppers, and rice. The vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals, while the protein from beef supports muscle health.

• Can I make this soup gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just ensure your beef broth is gluten-free and skip any potential gluten-containing ingredients. The recipe is naturally gluten-friendly with its simple, whole food components.

• How can I make the soup more protein-rich?

You can increase protein by adding more ground beef, mixing in some beans, or topping the soup with a dollop of Greek yogurt when serving. These additions boost the protein content without changing the soup’s core flavor profile.

• Is this soup good for meal prep?

Definitely! This stuffed cabbage soup freezes beautifully and stays delicious for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. The flavors actually improve as they meld together, making it a perfect make-ahead meal.

Cozy Stuffed Cabbage Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Polish-inspired Cozy Stuffed Cabbage Soup blends traditional comfort with rich, satisfying flavors. Savory ground beef, tender cabbage, and robust tomato broth create a soul-warming meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 1.5 pounds ground beef
• 6 cups beef broth or stock

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 diced onion
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 small cabbage, cored and coarsely chopped
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
• 0.5 cup uncooked rice
• Water, as needed, to thin the soup
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat and introduce ground beef, diced onions, and bell peppers. Season with salt and pepper, stirring until beef caramelizes and vegetables become translucent, developing deep flavor foundations.
2. Incorporate chopped cabbage, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, bay leaf, dill, paprika, and Worcestershire sauce. Blend ingredients thoroughly and bring mixture to a gentle rolling boil.
3. Reduce heat and allow soup to simmer uncovered for 45 minutes at low temperature. During this process, cabbage will tenderize and ingredients will harmonize into a robust, aromatic broth.
4. Introduce rice and continue simmering for an additional 30 minutes. Monitor liquid consistency, adding water or V8 juice if soup becomes too thick.
5. Perform final seasoning assessment, tasting and adjusting salt, paprika, or other spices to elevate the soup’s overall flavor profile. Ensure balanced and satisfying taste before serving.

Notes

• Use lean ground beef or ground turkey for a lighter version of the soup, reducing overall fat content without compromising flavor.
• Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Replace white rice with cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative that maintains the hearty feel of the dish.
• Consider adding a splash of apple cider vinegar at the end to brighten the flavors and add a subtle tangy depth to the soup.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Eastern European

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 240
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg