Cabbage Roll Soup

Posted on July 15, 2025

Cabbage Roll Soup is like a warm hug on a chilly day. Imagine coming home after a long day and the rich aroma of spices and hearty ingredients welcomes you. This soup captures all the comforting flavors of traditional cabbage rolls, but without the fuss of rolling each one individually. It brings back memories of family dinners filled with laughter and the satisfying feeling of homemade goodness. Whether you’re busy with work or looking for a simple way to gather the family around the dinner table, this soup is perfect for a weeknight meal.

The dish combines tender ground beef, fresh vegetables, and succulent flavors, making it not only tasty but also nutritious. The scenes of chopping, stirring, and simmering are enough to make anyone feel like a chef. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in more veggies into your family’s diet. In just under an hour, you can create a delightful one-pot meal that warms the heart and nourishes the soul, making it ideal for sharing with family or saving for cozy leftover lunches. Cabbage Roll Soup is a delightful twist on a classic dish that is sure to become a favorite in your home.

Why Make This Recipe

Cabbage Roll Soup is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a quick, delicious meal that doesn’t compromise on flavor. One of the greatest advantages of this soup is its simplicity. It uses common ingredients that many people have on hand, making it a convenient option that fits into any budget. You don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen, as the recipe only takes about 30-40 minutes from start to finish.

Moreover, this soup is incredibly flexible. You can easily adapt it based on what you have in your pantry or your family’s dietary preferences. Whether you want to go easy on the meat or add more vegetables, the options are limitless. Cabbage Roll Soup is also a great way to feed a crowd or to pack for leftovers, and it freezes well for future meals. The comforting, familiar flavors make it a crowd-pleaser for both adults and kids alike. In short, this recipe combines ease, flavor, and adaptability in a way that few other meals can match.

How to Make Cabbage Roll Soup

Making Cabbage Roll Soup is straightforward and manageable for cooks of all levels. Start by gathering your ingredients and preparing them for the cooking process. Begin by heating vegetable oil in a Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium-high heat. After the oil is hot, add 1 pound of lean ground beef. Season the meat with salt and pepper to your taste, and cook it until it’s well browned.

Next, introduce a finely diced medium yellow onion and two cloves of minced garlic into the pot. Stir them in and let them cook for another 2-3 minutes until the onions become tender and aromatic. Then, it’s time to add in 4 cups of chopped green cabbage along with 2 medium carrots that have been quartered and sliced. Add these vegetables to the pot and give everything a good stir.

Once the vegetables have mixed well with the beef, pour in 4 cups of low-sodium beef broth, 3 cans of 8 oz. tomato sauce, and ½ cup of uncooked white rice. Don’t forget to toss in 1 bay leaf and 3 tablespoons of light brown sugar for flavor. Stir everything together, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, and let it cook for about 25 minutes or until the rice is tender. Finally, remove the bay leaf, sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley, and your soup is ready to serve.

How to Serve Cabbage Roll Soup

Cabbage Roll Soup is versatile in its presentation and can be served in various ways. To start, ladle the hot soup into bowls, ensuring each serving has a good amount of meat, vegetables, and broth. An eye-catching bowl can make the soup feel more special, so consider using colorful ceramic bowls to brighten up the table.

To elevate the dining experience, offer a side of crusty bread or homemade garlic bread for dipping. A sprinkle of additional parsley or a dash of Parmesan cheese on top can add a delightful touch. Since this soup is hearty, it pairs beautifully with a simple salad, such as a caesar salad or a mixed greens salad with vinaigrette.

For those who enjoy a little heat, consider offering hot sauce on the side. A drizzle of olive oil or a dollop of sour cream can also add richness and texture to the dish. Ultimately, serving this comforting soup in a cozy atmosphere, surrounded by friends and family, will enhance the experience and create lasting memories.

How to Store Cabbage Roll Soup

Storing Cabbage Roll Soup is quite simple, making it perfect for meal prep! If you have leftovers, allow the soup to cool to room temperature before transferring it to airtight containers. It’s best to separate the soup into portion sizes, which allows for easy reheating later on.

You can store the soup in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to dig in again, simply reheat it on the stove over medium heat until it’s warmed through. If you prefer, you can also use a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in the microwave for a few minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.

For longer storage, this soup freezes beautifully. Transfer cooled soup portions into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty plastic bags. Be sure to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. The soup can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove or microwave to enjoy a delicious homemade meal any night.

Tips to Make Cabbage Roll Soup

Making Cabbage Roll Soup can be even more delightful with a few useful tips. First, consider browning the ground beef well. The more color you develop on the meat, the richer the flavor will be in your final dish. Don’t rush this step—it’s crucial in developing the taste of the soup.

Another tip is to chop the vegetables uniformly so that they cook evenly. This means cutting the cabbage, carrots, and onions into similar sizes to ensure the soup has a consistent texture. If you or your family aren’t fans of cabbage, you can substitute it with other greens like shredded kale or spinach.

For added depth of flavor, consider adding herbs and spices beyond the basic ingredients. A touch of paprika, thyme, or oregano can elevate the soup’s flavor profile. Additionally, if you like a little heat, don’t hesitate to add a pinch of red pepper flakes during cooking.

Lastly, keep an eye on the liquid levels during cooking. If you find the soup is getting too thick, feel free to add extra beef broth or water to reach your desired consistency.

Variation

Cabbage Roll Soup is easily adjustable to fit various dietary needs and preferences. For a lighter version, you can replace the ground beef with lean ground turkey or chicken. This switch will lower the fat content while still keeping the flavors intact. If you want it to be vegetarian or vegan, you can skip the meat entirely and replace the beef broth with vegetable broth. Add extra beans like kidney beans or black beans for protein.

You can also explore different grains if you want something heartier than white rice. Quinoa or brown rice can be healthier alternatives. Remember to adjust the cooking time accordingly, as they might take a little longer to cook.

For more flavor twists, you could try adding different vegetables based on the season—think zucchini or bell peppers in the summer! Experimenting with various spices can also provide different flavor profiles. Adding a bit of lemon juice or vinegar right before serving can brighten the soup’s taste, making it even more refreshing.

FAQs

1. Can I make Cabbage Roll Soup ahead of time?
Yes! Cabbage Roll Soup can be made ahead of time. It tastes even better when allowed to sit, as the flavors meld together. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

2. Can I freeze Cabbage Roll Soup?
Absolutely! The soup freezes well for up to 3 months. Make sure to cool it completely before placing it in freezer-safe containers or bags. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

3. What other vegetables can I add?
You can customize the soup with various vegetables. Consider adding corn, peas, or even diced potatoes. These additions can make the soup heartier and more nutritious.

4. How spicy is Cabbage Roll Soup?
Cabbage Roll Soup is generally mild in flavor, suited for all palates. If you prefer a spicy kick, you can always add red pepper flakes or your favorite hot sauce when serving.

5. What can I serve with Cabbage Roll Soup?
This soup pairs well with crusty bread, garlic bread, a side salad, or a light sandwich. These sides will balance the heartiness of the soup, making for a fulfilling meal.