This Cabbage Roll Soup gives you all the comforting flavors of traditional stuffed cabbage rolls without the work of rolling and baking individual cabbage leaves.
Ground beef is simmered with tender cabbage, onion, garlic, tomatoes, rice, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and simple seasonings until everything becomes rich, hearty, and comforting.
It is essentially an unstuffed cabbage roll in soup form.
That makes it ideal for busy weeknights, meal prep, freezer cooking, or cold-weather dinners when you want something filling without spending hours in the kitchen.
It is also naturally easy to customize. You can make it with ground turkey, use cauliflower rice for a lower-carb version, prepare it in the slow cooker, or add extra vegetables to stretch the recipe for a larger family.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Much easier than traditional cabbage rolls. No boiling, stuffing, or rolling cabbage leaves.
One-pot dinner. Beef, vegetables, rice, and broth all come together in one pot.
Budget-friendly. Cabbage, rice, tomatoes, and broth help stretch one pound of ground beef into several servings.
Excellent for meal prep. The flavors become even better after sitting overnight.
Freezer-friendly. Freeze the soup base for future dinners.
Easy to customize. Use turkey, sausage, brown rice, cauliflower rice, or extra vegetables.
Hearty without being overly heavy. It is filling but still broth-based.
Ingredients
Ground Beef
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, if needed
Vegetables
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 5–6 cups chopped green cabbage
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced, optional
Tomatoes
- 1 can diced tomatoes, about 14½ ounces
- 1 can tomato sauce, about 15 ounces
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Broth
- 5 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Rice
- ¾ cup uncooked long-grain white rice
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt to taste
Optional Finish
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, optional
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or red wine vinegar, optional
- Fresh parsley for serving
Ingredient Notes
Best Ground Beef
Use 85/15 or 90/10 ground beef.
It gives you enough flavor without leaving too much grease in the soup.
If you use a fattier blend, drain most of the excess fat after browning.
Cabbage
Green cabbage is the classic choice.
Cut it into bite-size pieces rather than very thin shreds so it holds its texture while simmering.
Rice
Long-grain white rice works well because it cooks directly in the soup.
You can also use cooked rice, but add it near the end so it does not overcook.
Tomatoes
The combination of diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste gives the broth a richer cabbage-roll-style flavor.
Worcestershire Sauce
A small amount adds deeper savory flavor to the beef and tomato broth.
Brown Sugar
Some traditional cabbage-roll recipes have a slightly sweet tomato sauce.
A tablespoon of brown sugar is optional, but it can help balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
How to Make Cabbage Roll Soup
Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef
Heat a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef.
Cook until browned, breaking it into small crumbles.
If necessary, drain excess grease.
Step 2: Add Onion and Carrots
Add:
- Onion
- Carrots
- Optional celery
Cook for about 4–5 minutes, until they begin to soften.
Step 3: Add Garlic
Stir in minced garlic.
Cook for about 30 seconds.
Step 4: Add Tomato Paste and Seasonings
Add:
- Tomato paste
- Smoked paprika
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Black pepper
Cook for about 1 minute.
This helps deepen the tomato and spice flavors.
Step 5: Add Tomatoes and Broth
Stir in:
- Diced tomatoes
- Tomato sauce
- Beef broth
- Worcestershire sauce
- Bay leaf
Mix well.
Step 6: Add Cabbage
Add the chopped cabbage.
It may look like a lot at first, but it shrinks considerably while cooking.
Stir as well as you can.
Step 7: Add Rice
Stir in:
¾ cup uncooked long-grain rice.
Bring the soup to a gentle boil.
Step 8: Simmer
Reduce heat to medium-low.
Cover partially and simmer for approximately:
20–25 minutes,
or until:
- Rice is tender
- Cabbage is soft
- Carrots are cooked
Stir occasionally so the rice does not stick to the bottom.
Step 9: Adjust the Broth
Rice absorbs liquid as it cooks.
If the soup becomes too thick, add:
- Extra beef broth
- Water
until it reaches the consistency you like.
Step 10: Finish the Soup
Remove the bay leaf.
Taste and adjust:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Worcestershire
For a traditional sweet-and-sour cabbage-roll note, add:
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- A splash of lemon juice or vinegar
Step 11: Serve
Ladle into bowls.
Finish with chopped parsley if desired.
Expert Tips for the Best Cabbage Roll Soup
Brown the beef well. Good browning creates much deeper flavor in the broth.
Don’t chop the cabbage too finely. Larger pieces keep better texture.
Watch the rice. Rice keeps absorbing broth as the soup sits.
Keep extra broth nearby. You may need to loosen leftovers before reheating.
Add cooked rice separately for meal prep. This keeps the rice from becoming too soft after several days.
Balance the tomatoes. A tiny amount of brown sugar or lemon can help if the broth tastes too acidic.
Let the soup rest for 10 minutes. The flavors blend and the broth thickens slightly.
Delicious Variations
Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup
Brown the beef first.
Transfer it to the slow cooker with:
- Onion
- Garlic
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Tomatoes
- Tomato paste
- Beef broth
- Worcestershire
- Seasonings
Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
For the best rice texture, cook the rice separately and stir it in near the end.
Ground Turkey Cabbage Roll Soup
Replace ground beef with:
1 pound ground turkey.
Add a little extra Worcestershire or smoked paprika for more savory flavor.
Sausage Cabbage Roll Soup
Replace half the beef with:
Italian sausage.
This gives the soup a richer, more seasoned flavor.
Beef and Sausage Cabbage Roll Soup
Use:
- ½ pound ground beef
- ½ pound sausage
for an extra-hearty version.
Low-Carb Cabbage Roll Soup
Skip the rice.
Add:
- Cauliflower rice
during the final few minutes.
Cabbage Roll Soup With Brown Rice
Use cooked brown rice and add it near the end.
This prevents the soup from needing a much longer simmer.
Cabbage Roll Soup With Potatoes
Replace rice with:
1 pound diced Yukon Gold potatoes.
Simmer until tender.
Cabbage Roll Soup With Extra Vegetables
Add:
- Bell peppers
- Green beans
- Zucchini
- Mushrooms
for a more vegetable-heavy version.
Creamy Cabbage Roll Soup
Add a small splash of heavy cream near the end.
This is not traditional, but it creates a softer tomato broth.
Spicy Cabbage Roll Soup
Add:
- Red pepper flakes
- Cayenne
- Hot paprika
What to Serve With Cabbage Roll Soup
Good side dishes include:
- Crusty bread
- Garlic bread
- Dinner rolls
- Cheddar garlic muffins
- Green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Mashed potatoes
For a simple family dinner, warm bread and a salad are more than enough.
Make Ahead & Meal Prep
Cabbage Roll Soup is excellent for making ahead.
If you know you will store it for several days, the best method is to cook the rice separately.
Prepare the soup without rice.
Store both separately.
When reheating:
- Warm the soup.
- Add cooked rice to each serving.
This keeps the rice from absorbing too much broth.
For meal prep, divide cooled soup into airtight containers and keep extra broth nearby for reheating.
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
Refrigerator
Cool the soup promptly.
Transfer to airtight containers.
Refrigerate for about 3–4 days.
Expect the soup to become thicker as the rice absorbs liquid.
Freezer
For the best freezer texture, freeze the soup without the rice.
Cook the rice fresh after thawing.
Cool the soup completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers.
Stovetop Reheating
Warm over medium-low heat.
Add a splash of beef broth or water if the soup has become too thick.
Microwave
Reheat individual portions in intervals.
Stir between intervals.
Add a little broth if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cabbage Roll Soup the same as stuffed cabbage?
It uses many of the same ingredients but turns them into an easier one-pot soup.
Can I use ground turkey?
Yes.
Can I use sausage?
Absolutely. Sausage adds extra flavor.
Can I make it in a slow cooker?
Yes. For the best rice texture, cook rice separately.
Can I use cooked rice?
Yes. Add it near the end.
Can I make it low-carb?
Yes. Skip regular rice and use cauliflower rice.
Why did my soup get too thick?
The rice continued absorbing broth.
Add extra beef broth when reheating.
Can I freeze Cabbage Roll Soup?
Yes. Freeze it without rice for the best texture.
Can I add potatoes?
Yes. Potatoes work well instead of rice.
Why does my soup taste too acidic?
Add a very small amount of brown sugar or another splash of broth.
Printable Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour
Servings: 6–8
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 5–6 cups chopped green cabbage
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 celery stalk, optional
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 5 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¾ cup uncooked long-grain rice
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, optional
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large soup pot.
- Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Add onion, carrots, and optional celery.
- Cook for 4–5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in tomato paste and seasonings.
- Cook for about 1 minute.
- Add diced tomatoes and tomato sauce.
- Pour in beef broth.
- Add Worcestershire sauce and bay leaf.
- Add chopped cabbage.
- Stir in uncooked rice.
- Bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat.
- Simmer partially covered for 20–25 minutes.
- Stir occasionally.
- Add extra broth if needed.
- Remove bay leaf.
- Add optional brown sugar if desired.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve hot.
Final Thoughts
Cabbage Roll Soup is one of the easiest ways to enjoy the familiar flavor of stuffed cabbage without all the extra work of rolling individual cabbage leaves.
Ground beef, tender cabbage, rice, tomatoes, carrots, garlic, beef broth, and simple seasonings simmer together into a hearty one-pot dinner that is ideal for cold weather, meal prep, or feeding a family on a budget.
It is also extremely flexible. You can make it in the slow cooker, use turkey or sausage, swap rice for potatoes or cauliflower rice, or add extra vegetables depending on what you have available.
For the best result, brown the beef well, keep the cabbage pieces substantial, watch the rice as it cooks, keep extra broth available, and store rice separately when meal prepping or freezing for the best texture.