Cabbage Roll Soup recipe - Saving Room for Dessert (2024)

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Flavorful Classic Cabbage Roll Soup

Cabbage Roll Soup recipe - Saving Room for Dessert (1)

All the flavors we love in our classic stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe but in a deconstructed, easy to make pot of soup!

We adore cabbage rolls but don’t always have time to assemble the ingredients in casserole form. That’s where this brilliant adaptation comes in. This cabbage roll soup is easy to make, hearty and filling making it perfect for lunch or dinner. Serve with a loaf of crusty, rustic bread for sopping up the broth!

Cabbage Roll Soup recipe - Saving Room for Dessert (2)

Soup weather is finally here!

I enjoy soup year round but especially this time of year when the days are warm and the evenings are cool. There’s something special about a big pot of soup simmering away on the stove. The aroma is practically seductive as it permeates the whole house, building anticipation for what’s to come. Comfort food at it’s best!

Cabbage Roll Soup recipe - Saving Room for Dessert (3)

What does cabbage roll soup taste like?

Our cabbage roll soup has a distinct sweet and sour tanginess from the addition of brown sugar and white balsamic vinegar.

The broth has a rich tomato flavor, the beef is tender, and the cabbage has a slight chewiness that I love. For this recipe we add a whole chopped sweet onion. The onion is slightly caramelized which builds the base for this flavorful soup.

Carrots and garlic round out the flavors and the whole pot is simmered to perfection.

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Why do we add sugar and vinegar to cabbage roll soup?

When I was very young my grandmother told me to add a spoonful of sugar to cabbage while it cooks. This step will help ease the gassy effects of this leafy vegetable. I can’t find any scientific research supporting this old wives’ tale but I’ve always had good luck with this practice 🙂

In addition to this possible helpful benefit, a little brown sugar adds depth of flavor to this soup. It works to enhance the natural sweetness of the onions, carrots and cabbage.

The sweet and sour flavor combo is classic and beloved in many cuisines. Think Sweet and Sour Chicken, Hot and Sour Soup and one of our all time family favorites, Sweet and Sour Meatloaf. Feel free to adjust the sugar and vinegar in this soup, adding a little more if desired.

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Don’t overcook the cabbage!

You don’t need to cook this soup too long, as the cabbage will become limp, pasty and produce an unpleasant smell. The soup will still be fine to eat, just a little less visually appealing.

Cabbage is great eaten raw, as in our coleslaw recipe so it doesn’t even have to be cooked! Cabbage is so versatile it can be braised, boiled, sautéed and stir-fried.

According to Healthline, cabbage is very low in calories,high in fiber and contains powerful antioxidants.

Cabbageis especially high in vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that may protect against heart disease, certain cancers and vision loss. So load up on the cabbage but don’t overcook it!

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Cabbage Roll Soup recipe - Saving Room for Dessert (6)

Cabbage Roll Soup recipe - Saving Room for Dessert (7)

Cabbage Roll Soup

Prep Time: 30 minutes mins

Cook Time: 45 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Yield: 10

Course: Dinner, Main Dish, Soup

Author: Tricia

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5 from 5 votes

All the flavors we love in traditional cabbage rolls but in an easy to make pot of soup!

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef (90 to 95% fat free)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and diced (1 heaping cup)
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes (do not drain)
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
  • ¼ cup white balsamic vinegar
  • 5-6 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or beef broth)
  • 1 small head cabbage, cored and rough chopped, about 6 cups
  • cups uncooked white or brown rice
  • ¼ cup chopped parsley leaves, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onion and cook until it starts to caramelize, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 30-seconds.

  • Add the ground beef, salt, pepper and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) to the Dutch oven. Sauté until the ground beef is cooked through. Drain the mixture and return to the pot.

  • Add the carrots, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar and broth to the beef mixture. Add the cabbage and rice and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover with a tight fitting lid.

  • Simmer the soup, covered, for 20-30 minutes or until the cabbage is just tender and the rice is cooked.

Recipe Notes

  • This recipe is easily cut in half if you prefer.
  • Our Cabbage Roll Soup freezes well too! Be sure you don't overcook the rice especially if you plan to freeze the soup.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Nutrition

Calories: 257kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 494mg | Potassium: 738mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 2226IU | Vitamin C: 43mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 3mg

Here are a few more recipes you might also like:

Cabbage Roll Soup recipe - Saving Room for Dessert (8)

Next time you see big, beautiful, green heads of cabbage in the market, grab one up and make this delicious Classic Cabbage Rolls Recipe.

Cabbage Roll Soup recipe - Saving Room for Dessert (9)

Our fresh Minestrone Soup isfull of healthy legumes, green leafy vegetables, plenty of Italian herbs, ahandful of pasta,and wonderfullyrich tomatoey broth.

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– a delicious, hearty and rustic soup with vegetables simmeredin a rich flavorful broth with wilted seasonal greens & lentils.

Cabbage Roll Soup recipe - Saving Room for Dessert (2024)

FAQs

Can cabbage soup be frozen? ›

Cabbage soup freezes quite well. Transfer the cooled soup to freezer bags (or any freezer-safe containers) in serving-sized portions, squeeze out the excess air, and lay flat in the freezer. Label with the date and freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stove.

Can you freeze soup with rice in it? ›

As a general rule, soups that are broth-based freeze well. Rice, beans, and soups with meat freeze well, while soups containing starchy vegetables, noodles, and cream can be more tricky.

How long until cabbage soup goes bad? ›

When does Cabbage Soup expire? Once made, cabbage soup can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If it's store-bought and unopened, it can typically last up to 1-2 years past the printed date as long as it's not stored in extreme temperatures. However, once opened, it should be consumed within 3-4 days.

How many days can you keep cabbage soup in the refrigerator? ›

Let Cabbage Soup come to room temperature then transfer the soup to an airtight container or separate containers for meal prep. Refrigerate for up to 5 days.

What soups should not be frozen? ›

Soups with a creamy consistency, like potato or chowders, might not taste good after freezing because it affects the texture and makes potatoes mushy. Rice, beans, and noodle soups might also taste different or become mushy. Typically, broth-based soups will freeze well.

Can I freeze soup in a Ziploc bag? ›

The best way to freeze soup is to store it in a gallon-sized, freezer-safe Ziploc bag. These simple steps break down why this method works so well.

What are the best containers to freeze soup in? ›

Plastic and glass containers that are labeled freezer-safe are the best containers for freezing soup. You also want a container that makes it easy to remove frozen soup from, so silicone options are also favorable.

How do you reheat frozen cabbage soup? ›

In this case, there are three acceptable methods you can use to defrost your soup. Frozen cabbage soup can be thawed in the microwave, placed in the refrigerator overnight, or dunked in cold water in an airtight bag.

Why can't you freeze soup? ›

Sadly, soups with any kind of cream or milk base tend to separate with freezing. This leads to a grainy textured soup that will probably end up poured down the drain after reheating. Try freezing these soups before adding in the dairy, and when it comes time to reheat, you can mix it in on the stovetop.

How do you thaw frozen cabbage soup? ›

You have three options for thawing:
  1. If you have the time, the ideal method is to place the frozen container of soup in the fridge for two days before you want to use it. ...
  2. If you're in a rush, place the soup in its container in a warm water bath until it is fully thawed.

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