Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe

I’ve always adored the comforting, savory-sweet flavor of classic cabbage rolls, but I rarely have the patience for all the boiling, stuffing, and rolling.

That’s why this Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe has become a staple in my home. It captures all that nostalgic taste in a simple, one-pot meal that comes together in under an hour.

I made a big batch last week, and my family couldn’t get enough of the hearty ground beef, tender cabbage, and rich tomato broth.

This “unstuffed” version is my secret to enjoying a cherished classic without spending all afternoon in the kitchen.

Ingredients

This recipe is all about simple, wholesome ingredients coming together to create something truly delicious.

• 2 teaspoons olive oil: Just enough to get the beef browning without adding too much fat.
• 1 pound ground beef: I recommend using 90% lean beef, as it has great flavor without making the soup greasy.
• 1 onion: Finely diced yellow onion provides the perfect aromatic and slightly sweet base.
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic: Freshly minced garlic offers the best flavor, but jarred works in a pinch.
• 4 cups green cabbage: Coarsely chopped. Don’t slice it too thinly, as you want it to retain some texture.
• 2 carrots: Peeled and sliced. They add a touch of natural sweetness and color.
• 4 cups beef broth: A quality beef broth is the heart of the soup, so use one you enjoy the taste of.
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce: This creates the signature rich, tomato-forward base of a classic cabbage roll.
• 1/2 cup uncooked long grain white rice: The rice cooks directly in the broth, soaking up all the flavors.
• 1 bay leaf: An essential background note that adds a layer of savory depth.
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar: This is the secret to getting that classic sweet-and-sour cabbage roll flavor profile.
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley: Chopped for garnish; it adds a pop of freshness at the end.
• Salt and pepper to taste: Season as you go to build the perfect flavor.

Note: This recipe generously serves about 6 people.

Variations

One of the best things about this soup is how easily you can adapt it to your own tastes or what you have on hand.

• Protein Swap: If you’re not a fan of ground beef, ground turkey or even ground chicken works wonderfully as a lighter alternative.
• Vegetarian-Friendly: To make this a vegetarian meal, substitute the ground beef with crumbled tofu or a plant-based ground “meat” and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
• Add Some Spice: For a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic and onions.
• Low-Carb Option: If you’re watching your carbs, you can omit the rice entirely. The soup will still be hearty and delicious. You could also substitute the rice with cauliflower rice, adding it in the last 10 minutes of cooking.

Cooking Time

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes

Equipment

You don’t need any fancy gadgets to make this comforting soup, just a few kitchen basics.

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: This is the main vessel for building your soup, so make sure it’s big enough to hold all the ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Ideal for breaking up the ground beef as it cooks.
• Chef’s Knife: A sharp knife is crucial for safely and easily chopping the onion, cabbage, and carrots.
• Cutting Board: A dedicated surface for all your vegetable prep.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For ensuring the perfect balance of broth, rice, and seasonings.

How to Make Cabbage Roll Soup?

This deconstructed take on a classic dish gives you all the flavor with a fraction of the effort. It’s a true one-pot wonder that’s perfect for a busy weeknight. 

Brown the Meat and Aromatics

First, heat the olive oil in your large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the ground beef. Season it generously with salt and pepper. Use a spatula to break the meat into smaller crumbles as it cooks. Continue cooking for about 4-5 minutes, until the beef is nicely browned. Next, add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes soft and fragrant.

Combine and Simmer

Now it’s time to turn this into soup. Add the chopped cabbage, sliced carrots, beef broth, tomato sauce, uncooked rice, bay leaf, and brown sugar to the pot. Give everything a good stir to combine and season again with a bit more salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a lively simmer over the heat. This step is where all the individual components start coming together to create the soup’s signature flavor.

Cook Until Tender

Once the soup is simmering, reduce the heat to maintain a gentle, steady bubble. Cover the pot and let it cook for about 25-30 minutes. This is just the right amount of time for the cabbage to become tender, the carrots to soften, and the rice to cook through completely without getting mushy. At the end of the cooking time, be sure to find and discard the bay leaf, as its job is done. Your kitchen should now be filled with an irresistibly comforting aroma.

Additional Tips for Making this Recipe Better

• I find that using a good quality, low-sodium beef broth allows me to control the saltiness of the final dish more effectively. You can always add more salt, but you can’t take it away.
• Don’t be tempted to overcook the soup. The rice will continue to absorb liquid as it sits, so pulling it off the heat when the rice is just tender is key to preventing a mushy texture.
• I sometimes add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar at the very end of cooking. It doesn’t make the soup taste sour; instead, it brightens all the other flavors and adds that classic tangy note found in traditional cabbage rolls.
• For a richer tomato flavor, try adding a tablespoon of tomato paste along with the onion and garlic and letting it cook for a minute before adding the liquids.

How to Serve Cabbage Roll Soup?

This soup is a hearty meal all by itself, but serving it with a little something extra can make it feel even more special. Ladle the hot soup into deep bowls and sprinkle generously with fresh, chopped parsley. The green adds a beautiful contrast of color and a burst of freshness. A dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt on top also adds a wonderful creamy tang. For dipping, you can’t go wrong with a side of crusty bread or soft dinner rolls to soak up every last drop of the delicious broth.

Nutritional Information

Here is an approximate nutritional breakdown per serving for this recipe.

• Calories: ~263 kcal
• Protein: 19g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fat: 9g

Make Ahead and Storage

This soup is an excellent candidate for meal prep and stores beautifully, with flavors that deepen overnight.

Refrigerator Storage

Allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The rice will absorb some of the broth, so the soup will thicken upon standing.

Freezing Instructions

This soup freezes very well. Let it cool completely, then pour it into freezer-safe bags or containers. It will keep for up to 3 months. For best results, you might consider cooking the rice separately and adding it upon reheating to maintain its texture.

Reheating

To reheat, simply warm the soup in a pot on the stovetop over medium heat until hot. If the soup has thickened too much, you can add a splash of beef broth or water to thin it back to your desired consistency.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

Here are just a few reasons why this unstuffed cabbage soup is sure to become a new favorite.

• Classic Flavor, Less Work: It delivers all the nostalgic, comforting taste of traditional cabbage rolls without the time-consuming process of rolling and baking.
• One-Pot Meal: Everything cooks together in a single pot, which means easy preparation and even easier cleanup. It’s the perfect solution for a busy weeknight dinner.
• Hearty and Filling: Packed with ground beef, rice, and plenty of vegetables, this soup is a complete and satisfying meal that will leave everyone full and happy.
• Perfect for Leftovers: This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld together, making it an ideal choice for meal prepping lunches for the week.