Description
Hearty and comforting Cabbage Roll Soup combines lean ground beef, cabbage, aromatic vegetables, and tender rice in a flavorful tomato broth. Inspired by classic cabbage rolls, this soup is perfect for a cozy meal packed with delicious, savory taste and wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Oil
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
Vegetables
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped (1 3/4 cups)
- 2 large carrots, chopped (1 1/4 cups)
- 5 cups packed chopped cabbage (16 - 19 oz)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Sauces
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth, then more to thin if desired
- 3 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans petite diced tomatoes
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Seasonings
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 Tbsp packed light brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp dried paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano or 1 Tbsp chopped fresh
- 3/4 tsp dried thyme or 2 1/2 tsp chopped fresh
- 2 bay leaves
Grains and Fresh Herb
- 3/4 cup dry long-grain white rice
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook while stirring and breaking up the meat occasionally until browned. Transfer the beef to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving 2 Tbsp of the rendered fat in the pot.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add chopped onion and carrots to the pot with the reserved fat and sauté for 2 minutes. Then add the chopped cabbage and minced garlic, continuing to sauté for 3 more minutes to soften the vegetables.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the low-sodium beef broth, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes. Stir in the brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, dried paprika, oregano, thyme, and bay leaves. Return the cooked ground beef to the pot and mix well.
- Simmer with Rice: Season the soup with additional salt and pepper to taste, bring to a light boil, then stir in the dry rice. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and simmer gently for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally until the rice is cooked through.
- Finish and Serve: If the soup thickens too much, stir in extra beef broth to reach desired consistency. Remove bay leaves, then stir in fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley. Serve the soup warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Use 1 Tbsp brown sugar to keep a balanced sweetness, as 2 Tbsp can be too sweet.
- Adjust beef broth quantity to thin the soup or make it thicker like a stew.
- Ground turkey or chicken can substitute for beef for a lighter version.
- Fresh herbs brighten the flavor—add parsley just before serving.
- Make sure to rinse the rice before adding to avoid excess starch.
- For gluten-free, confirm Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free or substitute with tamari sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
