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Cozy Cabbage Roll Soup

cozy cabbage roll soup - featured image

A warm, hearty soup that captures the comforting flavors of traditional cabbage rolls without the fuss of rolling. Perfect for busy weeknights and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
  • 1 medium head green cabbage (about 1.5 lbs), chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
  • 4 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Optional: red pepper flakes for mild heat
  • Optional: fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the vegetables by chopping the cabbage into bite-sized pieces, dicing the onion, and mincing the garlic cloves (about 10 minutes).
  2. Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Push beef to one side of the pot. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the other side and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Stir together.
  4. Add diced tomatoes with juices and tomato sauce. Stir in brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Let simmer for 2 minutes to combine flavors.
  5. Add chopped cabbage and beef broth. Stir well and bring to a gentle boil.
  6. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is tender but still slightly firm.
  7. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, stir in apple cider vinegar for a tangy finish.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or additional vinegar if desired. Add red pepper flakes for heat if using.
  9. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Brown the beef thoroughly to seal in flavor and avoid blandness. Chop cabbage uniformly to ensure even cooking and avoid mushiness. Use apple cider vinegar for a subtle fruity tang added near the end of cooking. For thicker soup, simmer uncovered for the last 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning as you go. Leftovers taste better the next day. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: cabbage roll soup, comfort food, easy soup recipe, ground beef soup, cabbage soup, weeknight dinner, hearty soup