Hearty Cabbage Roll Soup
Hearty Cabbage Roll Soup delivers big flavor and comfort. I’ve made this many times to perfect the balance of broth, meat, and rice. The rich, savory broth warms your soul. Try it with a side of crusty bread. Check out my Gooey Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups for a sweet finish. Jump to Recipe If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Gooey Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups Recipe and Classic Lowcountry Chicken Bog Recipe for Easy Dinner.
Why This Hearty Cabbage Roll Soup Is Pure Comfort
- Cozy and comforting
- Rich meaty broth
- Perfect for cold days
- Easy to make
What You'll Need for Hearty Cabbage Roll Soup
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
- 1 large head of green cabbage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 8 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Paprika
- Garlic
- Onion
- Carrot
- Celery
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Crusty bread
- Optional: Shredded cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Cabbage: Use green cabbage for the best texture and flavor.
- Beef broth: Use homemade or low-sodium store-bought broth for better flavor.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast Iron Dutch Oven — Distributes heat evenly for perfect broth → See on Amazon
- Measuring Spoons — Accurate spice and ingredient measurements → See on Amazon
How to Make Hearty Cabbage Roll Soup
- Prepare the cabbage: Remove the outer leaves of the cabbage. Place the head in a large pot of boiling water for 10 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly. Shred the cabbage into bite-sized pieces.
- Brown the beef: In a large pot, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add vegetables: Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add the broth and rice: Stir in the beef broth and rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add the cabbage: Add the shredded cabbage. Cook for another 10 minutes until tender.
- Season and serve: Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Hearty Cabbage Roll Soup
- Best technique: Blanching the cabbage first helps it cook faster and retain its texture.
- Common mistake and fix: Overcooking the cabbage can make it mushy. Cook it just until tender.
- Alternative ingredient: Substitute pork for beef for a different flavor profile.
- Storage tip: Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Storing & Reheating Hearty Cabbage Roll Soup
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Make up to 2 days in advance and reheat before serving.
Freezing Hearty Cabbage Roll Soup
Freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in 30-second intervals until hot.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a deeper flavor, use homemade beef broth.
- Best substitution: Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: This soup can be made a day ahead and reheated.
- Scaling: Double the recipe for a larger batch.
- Troubleshooting: If the soup is too thin, simmer it longer to reduce the liquid.
Want to level up this recipe?
Oven-Safe Dutch Oven — Retains heat for even cooking → Check price on Amazon
Hearty Cabbage Roll Soup
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
- 1 large head of green cabbage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 8 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Paprika
- Garlic
- Onion
- Carrot
- Celery
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Crusty bread
- Shredded cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the cabbage: Remove the outer leaves of the cabbage. Place the head in a large pot of boiling water for 10 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly. Shred the cabbage into bite-sized pieces.
- Brown the beef: In a large pot, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add vegetables: Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Add the broth and rice: Stir in the beef broth and rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add the cabbage: Add the shredded cabbage. Cook for another 10 minutes until tender.
- Season and serve: Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a deeper flavor, use homemade beef broth.
- Best substitution: Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: This soup can be made a day ahead and reheated.
- Scaling: Double the recipe for a larger batch.
- Troubleshooting: If the soup is too thin, simmer it longer to reduce the liquid.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in 30-second intervals until hot.
- Make ahead: Make up to 2 days in advance and reheat before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 1000mg
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- Sat. Fat: 4g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Hearty Cabbage Roll Soup FAQs
Yes, you can make this soup up to 2 days in advance. Store in an airtight container and reheat before serving.
If the soup is too thin, continue simmering it to reduce the liquid. Add more broth if needed.
Yes, this soup freezes well. Store in a sealed container and thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Napa cabbage works well too. It has a milder flavor and firmer texture.
Pork or turkey can be used as a substitute for beef. Adjust the seasoning accordingly.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Hearty Cabbage Roll Soup and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
