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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Introduce rice and continue simmering for an additional 30 minutes. Monitor liquid consistency, adding water or V8 juice if soup becomes too thick.
- 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