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This cabbage roll soup recipe is an amazing, cozy comfort food, loaded with protein, veggies, and tons of flavor. And the best part, is that you only need one pot, so cleanup is a breeze!
Easy Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe
This soup isn’t just filling, it’s super handy perfect for meal prep too. It’s so easy to whip up a big batch to enjoy all week, or serve it up to a hungry crowd at your next get-together. No matter how you enjoy it, this warm and hearty soup is bound to become a go-to favorite!
Easy dinners are super important, especially on busy weeknights when I don’t have a lot of time to prepare. The nice thing about this recipe is that I can just toss it all together and the flavors cook so well together, it just seems like I spent a lot of time and effort making this soup.
If you love easy dinners like this one, try this slow cooker chicken chili or this amazing Cowboy Chicken recipe.
Ingredients You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons olive oil- this prevents the ground turkey from sticking to the pot while it’s cooking.
- 2 pounds ground turkey (healthier option) or Mild/hot Italian ground sausage meat (more savory flavor)- the protein of the soup and can easily be changed depending on your taste.
- 5 cups cabbage, roughly chopped, about 1 smaller cabbage head- the main ingredient of the soup that adds the main flavor and texture.
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt- this will help enhance the ground turkey as well as the other flavors of the soup.
- ground black pepper to taste- just a pinch will add a little heat and flavor to the soup.
- 2 bay leaves- add an earthy flavor to the soup.
- ¼ cups uncooked white rice, rinsed- gives the soup a heartier, more filling base, along with extra flavor.
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced- adds extra flavors and texture to the soup.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning- enhances the other seasonings in the soup, while bringing it’s own flavor of spice to the mixture.
- ¾ cup carrots, diced into half-moons-adds crunch to the soup, while providing wholesome soup flavor.
- 5 cups beef broth- chicken broth or vegetable broth can also be used- the liquid filler of the soup.
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, or you can also use crushed tomatoes- provide a tangy flavor to the base.
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce- adds a savory flavor to the soup flavor.
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste (in a tube is better, like Alessi’s)- intensifies the tomato flavor
- 1 teaspoon paprika- adds a slight smoky flavor.
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
How to Make Cabbage Roll Soup
Step 1: In a large 4-quart Dutch oven or a large soup pot, heat the oil over medium heat.
Step 2: Add the ground turkey or beef and cook, breaking it up into bite-sized pieces with a wooden spatula as it browns. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Stir in the onion, garlic, carrots, bell pepper, and Italian herbs, along with paprika. Cook for a few more minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
Step 4: Add the tomato paste and cook until it begins to caramelize, then pour in 1/2 cup of broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom. Add the remaining ingredients of cabbage, bay leaves, rice, diced tomatoes, and Worcestershire sauce, and stir well to combine.
Step 5: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 35 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the cabbage has softened.
Step 6: Remove the bay leaves before serving.
Tips for Making the Best Cabbage Roll Soup
- Use fresh ingredients: Using fresh cabbage, ripe tomatoes and fresh ground beef or turkey, will give your soup the best flavors.
- Simmer gently: Let the soup cook slowly so the ingredients have time to blend together without overcooking.
- Freeze Leftovers: This soup freezes beautifully! Store it in airtight containers for a quick and comforting meal later.
Variations for Cabbage Soup
- Change the Main Protein: Substitute the ground turkey for lean ground beef, chicken, or sausage.
- Swap out the Veggies: Switch up flavors and textures by changing or adding veggies. Add chopped mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, or your favorites.
- Add seasonings: For a hotter kick to your soup, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, a dash of hot sauce, or chopped jalapeños. Use fresh herbs like dried thyme, rosemary, or dried oregano for a more savory flavor.
FAQ’S
Absolutely! Brown the ground meat first, then add all the ingredients (except the rice) to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Add cooked rice before serving.
Store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you’ve added rice, it may absorb some broth. Just add a bit of water or stock when reheating.
Green cabbage is the most common choice, but Savoy or Napa cabbage can also work for a slightly different texture.
More Easy Dinners
Cabbage Roll Soup
Equipment
- Stock Pot
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pounds ground turkey, or ground beef
- 5 cups cabbage, chopped (about 1 head of cabbage)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 cup white rice, uncooked
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3/4 cup carrots, diced, about 1 large carrot
- 5 cups beef broth
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Optional: Chopped fresh parsley as garnish
Instructions
- In a large 4-quart Dutch oven or a large soup pot, heat the oil over medium heat.
- Add the ground turkey or beef and cook, breaking it up into bite-sized pieces with a wooden spatula as it browns. Season with salt and pepper.
- Stir in the onion, garlic, carrots, bell pepper, and Italian herbs, along with paprika. Cook for a few more minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
- Add the tomato paste and cook until it begins to caramelize, then pour in 1/2 cup of broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom. Add the remaining ingredients of cabbage, bay leaves, rice, diced tomatoes, and Worcestershire sauce, and stir well to combine.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 35 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the cabbage has softened.
- Remove bay leaves, then serve while hot.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is a heat recipe — hearty and delicious! Riced cauliflower can be substituted for the white rice for those looking to cut calories or limit carb intake.
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