Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe

Cabbage Roll Soup is a cozy one pot meal loaded with ground beef, ground pork tender cabbage, tomatoes, and rice. It’s easy to make, full of flavor and perfect for dinner!

If you love classic stuffed cabbage rolls you’ll love my easy to make cabbage roll soup. It’s the perfect spoonful and perfect for cabbage season! We love the comforting flavors that we love from cabbage rolls in each spoonful!

There’s no rolling or baking required, just simple ingredients and all made in one pot! It’s great for meal prep, freezer meals, or just a simple go to dinner.

Quick Bites About This Recipe

Skill Level: Easy and beginner friendly.
Swaps: Use all beef, a beef and pork mix, or even ground turkey or ground chicken if preferred.
Make Ahead: Flavors get even better the next day, making this great for meal prep.
Freezer Friendly: Freezes well for up to 3 months, but leave out the rice if preferred.
Variations & Substitutions: Try brown rice or quinoa for a heartier texture.

Cabbage Roll Soup Ingredients

Ground beef: This is the hearty base of the soup. You can use all beef or mix in ground pork for extra richness and depth of flavor.
Ground pork: Optional, but it adds a little extra richness and flavor that tastes like traditional cabbage rolls.
Onion: Adds savory flavor. Fresh diced, frozen chopped, or even pre-chopped all work well in this recipe.
Garlic: Fresh garlic adds the best flavor, but you can even use a bit of granulated garlic in a pinch.
Green cabbage: The star of the recipe. Be sure to use green cabbage, not red.
Carrot: Adds a subtle sweetness and a pop of color that balances the tomato base.
Tomato sauce: Creates the rich, comforting base of the soup and ties everything together.
Petite diced tomatoes with juice: These are more tender than regular diced tomatoes and blend beautifully into the soup.
Beef broth: Adds depth and savory flavor. Bouillon with water works well if that’s what you have.
White rice: Helps thicken the soup and makes it extra filling. Plain old long grain white rice works best.
Brown sugar: Just a small amount adds that classic cabbage roll sweetness without making the soup too sweet.
Red wine vinegar: A little splash brightens all the flavors and balances the richness.
Salt and pepper: Essential for bringing everything together and enhancing the flavor of the soup.

How to Make Cabbage Roll Soup

Start by heating a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and pork, breaking it apart as it cooks. Cook until the meat is fully browned, then drain excess grease if needed.

Add the diced onion, carrot, and garlic to the pot. Stir and cook for a few minutes until the vegetables soften and everything smells fragrant.

Stir in the chopped cabbage and let it cook briefly so it begins to wilt and soften. This step helps the cabbage blend into the soup instead of floating on top.

Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with their juice, and beef broth. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.

Add the uncooked rice, brown sugar, and red wine vinegar. Season generously with salt and pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.

Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and the cabbage is soft. Give it a final taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.

Storing and Reheating (If There’s Any Leftovers!)

Refrigerate: Let the soup cool slightly, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freeze: Transfer to freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Reheat in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each, or warm gently on the stovetop. Add a splash of beef broth or water if the soup thickens.

Recipe Tips and Notes

• Chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces so it’s easy to eat.
• If you prefer a thinner soup, add extra beef broth during cooking.
• The soup will thicken as it sits because the rice absorbs the liquid.

So nice to have you here! Did you try this recipe? ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Be sure to leave a recipe rating! Also, tag us @courtneyssweets #courtneyssweets on Instagram so we can share it!