Heartwarming Homemade Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

Crafting a delightful cabbage roll soup can transport you straight to comfort food heaven.

Warm aromas will swirl through your kitchen, promising something special.

Memories of grandmother’s traditional cooking might dance in your mind as ingredients come together.

Hearty vegetables and tender meat create a symphony of flavors waiting to be savored.

Cozy layers of texture mingle in each spoonful, promising satisfaction with every bite.

Rich broth bubbles with promise, inviting you to experience a classic dish reimagined.

Curl up with a bowl and let this soup tell its delicious story.

Why Homemade Cabbage Roll Soup Feels So Hearty

• Craft a Comforting Meal: Transform traditional cabbage rolls into a hearty, soul-warming soup that delivers all the classic flavors in an easier, more approachable format.
• Nutritional Powerhouse: Packed with lean ground beef, nutrient-rich vegetables, and whole grains like brown rice, this soup provides a balanced and filling meal that supports healthy eating.
• Quick and Simple Preparation: Requires minimal cooking skills and uses basic ingredients, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a delicious dinner without complicated techniques.
• Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Creates a one-pot wonder that appeals to both adults and kids, with familiar ingredients and a mild, satisfying taste that brings everyone together around the dinner table.

What Goes Into Homemade Cabbage Roll Soup

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that adds rich flavor and substance to the soup.
• Brown Rice, Quinoa: Nutritious grains that provide additional protein and make the soup more filling.

• Cabbage, Onion, Carrots, Bell Pepper: Fresh vegetables that create a robust base with complex flavors and textures.
• Garlic, Fresh Thyme Leaves: Aromatic ingredients that enhance the overall taste profile of the soup.

• Beef Broth, Crushed Tomatoes: Liquid base that creates a flavorful and hearty soup foundation.
• Olive Oil: Helps to sauté vegetables and develop deeper flavors.
• Bay Leaf, Honey, Salt, Pepper: Seasonings that balance and elevate the soup's taste.
• Fresh Herbs: Optional garnish that adds a bright, fresh finish to the dish.

How To Make Homemade Cabbage Roll Soup Easily

Step 1: Sizzle The Beef

Heat olive oil in a large pot. Crumble ground beef into the pan, breaking it into small pieces while cooking. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the meat. Cook until the beef turns a rich golden brown and looks completely cooked through.

Step 2: Awaken The Aromatics

Toss chopped onions and minced garlic into the pot with the browned beef. Let them dance and sizzle for a few minutes until they become soft and release their incredible fragrance.

Step 3: Build Vegetable Layers

• Carrots
• Bell peppers
• Fresh thyme leaves

Stir and cook until vegetables start to soften and become slightly tender.

Step 4: Welcome The Cabbage

Introduce cabbage pieces into the pot, gently mixing with the existing ingredients. The cabbage will begin to absorb all the delicious flavors.

Step 5: Create The Liquid Base

• Beef broth
• Crushed tomatoes

Add a touch of honey and a bay leaf. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 6: Let The Soup Develop

Reduce heat and allow the soup to simmer quietly. Let the ingredients meld and soften for about 20-25 minutes. The cabbage and vegetables will become perfectly tender.

Step 7: Final Touches

Stir in cooked brown rice or quinoa. Let it warm through for an additional 5 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and taste the soup. Adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed.

Step 8: Serve And Enjoy

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls. Optionally garnish with fresh herbs for an extra burst of flavor. Serve immediately and savor every spoonful.

Tips To Boost Homemade Cabbage Roll Soup Flavor

• Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative that still packs incredible flavor.
• Add a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar during cooking to enhance the depth and richness of the soup's taste profile.
• Prep vegetables in advance and chop them uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Use low-sodium beef broth to control salt levels and allow more flexibility in seasoning the final dish.
• Freeze leftover soup in portion-sized containers for quick, convenient meals that taste just as delicious as the day you made them.

Tasty Twists On Cabbage Roll Soup

• Vegetarian Deconstructed Cabbage Roll: Replace ground beef with lentils or plant-based crumbles. Add extra mushrooms for depth and protein.
• Mediterranean Herb-Infused Version: Incorporate oregano, rosemary, and za'atar spice blend. Use lamb instead of beef for richer flavor profile.
• Spicy Korean-Inspired Soup: Add gochujang paste, kimchi, and sesame oil. Include grated ginger and green onions for authentic Korean kick.
• Eastern European Traditional Style: Swap brown rice with barley. Include sour cream as garnish and add smoked paprika for authentic taste.

What Pairs Nicely With Cabbage Roll Soup

• Hearty Wine Companion: Pair this robust cabbage roll soup with a medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir, which complements the rich beef and vegetable flavors without overpowering the delicate soup elements.
• Crusty Bread Sidekick: Serve alongside a warm, rustic sourdough or crusty French bread to soak up the savory broth and add delightful textural contrast to each spoonful.
• Fresh Herb Elevation: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or dill on top just before serving to brighten the soup's deep, warming flavors and add a vibrant green note that cuts through the hearty base.

How To Keep Cabbage Roll Soup Fresh

• Transfer cooled soup to an airtight container 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 space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Place desired portion in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until heated thoroughly.
• Pour soup into a pot. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of beef broth if the soup seems too thick.

FAQs About Homemade Cabbage Roll Soup

• Can I use a different type of meat instead of ground beef?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even make it vegetarian by using plant-based meat alternatives or extra beans.

• Is this soup gluten-free?

The recipe can be gluten-free if you use gluten-free broth and ensure your rice or quinoa is certified gluten-free. Always check ingredient labels carefully.

• How nutritious is this cabbage roll soup?

This soup is packed with nutrients. Cabbage provides vitamin C and fiber, ground beef offers protein, and vegetables contribute essential minerals and vitamins. The brown rice adds complex carbohydrates and additional nutrition.

Homemade Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 45-50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Polish Cabbage Roll Soup brings classic comfort straight from Eastern European kitchens to your dining table. Packed with tender beef, rice, and savory vegetables, this soul-warming dish promises rich flavors you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

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Meat and Protein:

• 1 pound (1 lb) lean ground beef
• 1 cup cooked brown rice (or quinoa)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small green cabbage, cut into pieces (about 7 cups)
• 1 medium-sized yellow onion, chopped into fine pieces
• 2 medium-sized carrots, chopped and quartered
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• A few fresh thyme leaves, picked
• 1 bay leaf

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 3 (8 ounces) cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Ground pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious Dutch oven over medium temperature, creating a flavorful cooking foundation.
2. Crumble ground beef into the pot, seasoning with salt and pepper, and cook until rich brown coloration develops, approximately 5-7 minutes.
3. Introduce diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until aromatics release their fragrant essence and vegetables become translucent.
4. Incorporate chopped carrots, bell peppers, and fresh thyme, allowing vegetables to soften and meld flavors for about 5 minutes.
5. Gently fold cabbage pieces into the mixture, ensuring even distribution throughout the pot.
6. Stream beef broth and crushed tomatoes into the pot, adding bay leaf and a touch of honey for balanced sweetness. Stir thoroughly and bring to a gentle simmer.
7. Reduce heat and allow soup to simmer for 20-25 minutes, letting cabbage and vegetables tenderize and develop deep, rich flavors.
8. Fold in pre-cooked brown rice or quinoa, stirring to integrate and warming through for an additional 5 minutes.
9. Discard bay leaf and taste, fine-tuning seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
10. Ladle into warm bowls, optionally garnishing with fresh herb sprinkles for a vibrant finishing touch.

Notes

• Customize the protein by swapping ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, leaner option.
• Transform this soup into a gluten-free meal by using certified gluten-free broth and replacing traditional rice with cauliflower rice or quinoa.
• Boost nutrition by adding extra vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or kale during the last 10 minutes of cooking to maintain their vibrant color and crisp texture.
• Enhance flavor complexity by deglazing the pan with a splash of red wine after browning the meat, which adds depth and richness to the soup’s overall taste profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Eastern European

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 252 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 19 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg