Everything you love about cabbage rolls minus all the work! This Cabbage Roll Soup ticks all the comfort boxes and will keep you warm and cozy on those cold winter days. It's easy, versatile, and packed with nutritious ingredients so let's get to work!
For more cozy soup recipes, try my Roasted Tomato and Red Pepper Soup or this Chicken "Noodle" Soup. If you love hearty, veggie-packed meals, this Spiced Moroccan Lentil Vegetable Soup is another must-try for soup season!
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
Easy to Make: Everything cooks in one pot, making both cooking and cleanup a breeze. Minimal prep and straightforward steps mean it’s a great choice for weeknights.
Versatile: Use ground beef, chicken, turkey, or even beans to make this soup your own. Feel free to change up the veggies based on what you have on hand, too! Obviously, cabbage is a must but you can switch up the variety of cabbage based on what's available.
Perfect for Meal Prep: This soup keeps well in the fridge and is also freezer-friendly, making it a perfect option for batch cooking. Taking time to prep ingredients ahead of time makes it even easier to put together on a busy weeknight.
Nutritious and Balanced: Packed with protein, fiber-rich vegetables, and nutrient-dense cabbage, this soup provides a balanced mix of nutrients.
🥘Ingredient Substitutions
Ground beef – Swap it for ground turkey, chicken, pork, or for a plant-based option, use kidney beans, chickpeas, or lentils.
Cabbage - Any type of cabbage will work for this recipe. Cooking times may vary as Savoy and Napa cabbage require less cooking time. Red cabbage can also be used keeping in mind that the colour of the soup will be affected.
Rice – Brown or wild rice add a nice chewy texture, while white rice is softer. For a low-carb option, use cauliflower rice; add it near the end so it doesn’t get mushy.
Stock – Use any stock or broth you have, or even water if you’re in a pinch (you may need to bump up the seasonings). Chicken or vegetable stock/broth will lighten the flavour of the soup.
Tomatoes – Diced or crushed tomatoes work well here. Canned fire-roasted tomatoes will add an extra layer of flavor.
For a complete list of ingredients see the recipe card below.
Variations
Spicy – Add red pepper flakes or hot paprika for more heat.
Vegetarian/Vegan – Skip the meat and add beans or lentils for a plant-based version.
Creamy – For a creamy variation, add a splash of heavy cream, sour cream, or Greek yogurt. These are also perfect garnishes for individual servings.
Expert Tips
Read the Recipe: This may seem obvious but it's important to read the recipe from start to finish before you begin prepping. Reading the recipe once or twice before starting is very helpful in getting you through the process seamlessly.
Prepare your "Mise en Place" - This means prep. all of your ingredients before you begin. It's my number one piece of cooking advice. Before you start cooking, chop, measure, wash, etc., all of your ingredients. This ensures you aren't missing anything and that nothing is left to burn in the pot while you chop or find the next ingredient.
Season as You Go: Taste as you cook, especially before serving, and adjust salt and pepper to suit your own taste.
Don’t Overcook the Rice: If you prefer rice with more texture, add it during the last 10-15 minutes instead of at the beginning. Or use pre-cooked rice and add it at the end just to warm. You can also add rice to individual bowls to avoid it becoming soggy while it sits.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Brown the meat and veggies first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Absolutely! Farro, barley, or quinoa work well in this soup. Just note that cook times may vary, so adjust as needed.
Let the soup cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It also freezes well for up to 6 months. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave, adding extra broth if it’s too thick.
More Soup Recipes
Tried this recipe? I would love it if you could leave a star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and/or a comment below. You can also follow me on social media here on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!
Want to say thank you?📖 Recipe
Cabbage Roll Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef, can substitute any ground meat or beans
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 large carrot, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (1 ½ tbsp)
- 1 small head green cabbage, chopped or sliced (4 to 5 cups)
- 1 teaspoon hot or mild paprika
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 can whole tomatoes (796 ml/28 oz), chopped or pureed
- 6 cups beef, chicken, or vegetable stock/broth
- ¾ cup black rice, wild rice, brown or white rice, uncooked
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream or plain yogurt
- Fresh, chopped parsley
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large soup pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add ground meat, onions, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes or until beef is cooked and onions are soft.2 tablespoon olive oil, 1 lb ground beef, can substitute any ground meat or beans, 1 large onion, diced, 1 large carrot, diced, 2 stalks celery, diced
- Add garlic, cabbage, paprika, tomato paste, sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine well.3 cloves garlic, minced (1 ½ tbsp), 1 small head green cabbage, chopped or sliced (4 to 5 cups), 1 teaspoon hot or mild paprika, 2 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Add canned tomatoes, stock/broth, rice, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is cooked and cabbage is soft. Add salt and pepper.1 can whole tomatoes (796 ml/28 oz), chopped or pureed, 6 cups beef, chicken, or vegetable stock/broth, ¾ cup black rice, wild rice, brown or white rice, uncooked, 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon Salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Serve garnished with sour cream, plain yogurt, fresh parsley and/or Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- The soup is thick and stew-like. Add extra stock if you prefer it thinner.
- Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze in airtight container for up to 6 months.
- Make it vegan/vegetarian by replacing the meat with your favourite beans.
Michelle says
Easy, filling and good for you. This one is on repeat
Donnalynn says
Made this soup again but this time used napa cabbage I had in the freezer. I didn't have enough frozen cabbage so added some fresh and it turned out great.
I appreciate the variations and tips that you also include with your recipes.
Thanks Andrea!
Andrea says
My pleasure Donnalynn! I’m so happy you enjoyed it. So nice to have some frozen cabbage to toss into soups! 🙌
Jane Cierpicki says
Absolutely delicious on a cold day like today! All of your soups are yummy!
Andrea says
Thanks so much Jane! I’m so happy you’ve been enjoying them all ☺️
Ana says
Delicious 🤤
I love cabbage rolls but hate doing the “rolling”
Also loved the roasted tomatoes and peppers soup; oh let me just say it here that I love most of your recipes 😊
Andrea says
Thanks so much for the lovely comment! I’m so happy you have been enjoying the recipes
Mary Muir says
I have made this before from your recipe and it’s the best soup ever. Especially in the cold weather. It’s a hit in my family.
Lynn says
One of our favourite soups. In fact I’m making it for a soup and bun pot luck in 2 days. I know I’ll be sharing your website with the ladies.
Andrea says
I love that so much! Thanks so much for sharing Lynn 😊
Halona says
Great winter soup Andrea!
Super easy to make and my hubby and kids enjoyed it.
We love your recipes!
This one is a keeper!☺️
Andrea says
I'm so happy to hear you are enjoying the recipes Halona! Thanks so much for commenting.
Sharon Waugh says
This soup is soooo delicious and perfect for a damp and rainy fall day! I used smoked paprika which worked really well. There is so much depth of flavour in this soup. We loved it!! Another home run Andrea!
Andrea says
I'm so happy you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for commenting 🤗
Deb says
I made this and doubled the recipe it is so delicious! I used stewed tomatoes and added red pepper flakes. Will be freezing some for later Thank you for sharing
Andrea says
I'm so happy you enjoyed it. It's a great one for the freezer that's for sure. Thanks so much for commenting!
Candace Kaine says
Today, I made this soup for the second time and it was just as delicious as I remembered! So satisfying and relatively easy to make. Thank you Andrea for another keeper of a recipe.
Andrea says
My pleasure! So happy you enjoyed it for a second time!
Tricia Wilkins says
Made this soup last week as my sister had recommended. Definitely would make again as is absolutely delicious and easy to make. Thank you
Julie says
Hi Andrea and fellow Livy Loser! I have made this recipe multiple times, it is fantastic and one of my favourite go to soups now! Just wondering, can you freeze cabbage and use that in this recipe? I have leftover cabbage but still have some of this soup in the freezer so I’d like to freeze the cabbage and use at a later time. Would you just reduce the cooking time or add the cabbage in later? Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Andrea says
Hi Julie!
Yes you absolutely can freeze cabbage. No need to make any adjustments to the recipe. So glad you are enjoying the soup!
Lynn says
This is one of my favourite soup recipes ever. It is delicious and full of good nutrition. I usually use ground chicken or turkey. It’s truly amazing. Thank you Andrea
Sue Noonan says
This soup is very popular in my household. Tastes just like eating a cabbage roll but without all that work! The directions are very clear and it was easy to make. This soup is pretty thick so adding a bit more broth could help alleviate that.
I doubled the recipe - you will need a BIG pot to do that - then divided the soup into servings of two and froze it. Reheat and a hearty lunch is served!
Andrea says
Thanks so much for your comment. I'm happy you enjoyed the soup!
Judy says
Well, made this one too. I had intended to halve it. But forgot. Don’t ask. I threw in the whole wee can of tomato paste, I have tried freezing leftover paste before but tend to forget it there until it becomes an entirely different entity. I also added a teaspoon of caraway seed. This reminds me of my Ma’s cabbage soup, and I was going to add a handful of sauerkraut, swore up and down that I had some, but no. Likely hiding with the previous dabs of paste. And skipped the rice as I am not keen on it in a soup. It is delish, and will be feeding me until spring.
Andrea says
So happy you enjoyed it Judy!!
Anna Hislop says
You can tomato paste now in tubes. Found them at Walmart. Game changer. Once you open tube you refrigerate.
Hope that’s helpful.
Annie says
This soup is one of my faves! I've made this twice so far. The second time I got my food processer out and cut up the cabbage that way. I made the pieces nice and small which I like in the soup. This freezes really well too.
Kerry says
Hi Andrea! The soup was spectacular!! First timer on The Livy Method. The made a little adjustment. I cooked the rice separately so everyone could control how much rice they wanted. This way I could have the soup for lunch and add some rice or for dinner and no rice! Thank you for a great recipe!! Fellow foodie!
Kerry 🙂
Amy Dunollie says
Is there a reason you don’t list red cabbage as an option?
Andrea says
Hi Amy!
You can totally use red cabbage. The colour just might not be very appealing but it works! Enjoy!
Elaine Harkiss-Laird says
Hi Andrea - would red cabbage work okay?
Thanks!
Andrea says
Hi Elaine!
Yes you can use red cabbage. Just keep in mind it will give it a pink colour. Enjoy!
Suzanne says
I made this last night and it is way way thicker than the picture you provided but, I am okay with that. It is unbelievably good even though I had not enough beef stock and substituted water, it was superb. Even the hubs ate it and he said it was very good. Will be making this again. Oh and you are right, it makes a lot. I froze some and have enough for lunches for the week.
Angie says
I have a ton of pre-cut cabbage - approx how many cups would be the equivalent to a small head of cabbage?
Andrea says
Hi Angie!
It would be about 8 cups give or take. Hope you enjoy it!
Angie says
Thank you!!
Angie says
I made this today - absolutely amazing!! Thanks again!!
Kerri says
First time trying Livy Method. Is it ok to have this as supper with the rice?
Andrea says
Hi Kerri!
Yes it's totally fine as it's only a small amount. You can also omit the rice if you want. Depends on how hard core you want to be with it 😀
Shana Boertien says
Hi Andrea!! Any chance you’ve timed this with an instant pot? No worries if not, I will figure it out! ☺️
Andrea says
Sorry but I haven't. I don't even have one lol!
Susan McConnell says
I’m just making this today and going to try in the instant pot. Just wondering if you ended up timing it?
Andrea says
Hi Susan!
I don't have an instant pot so haven't tested that. You could Google search for a timing on another recipe. Let me know how it turns out!
C Landry says
This soup is delicious! I have told everyone I know to make it. Hearty, healthy, tasty, fulfilling and keeps me on the Livy plan. Love, love, love it!
Kathleen says
If we are making this for lunch on Gina's plan do we need to add more veggies, or is it a full meal on its own?
Andrea says
It's good the way it is for lunch! 😀
Katie Seaborne says
Hi Andrea,
I am just wondering if it would be better to omit the rice for Gina's plan? I can't wait to make this soup this weekend!! 🙂
Andrea says
Hi Katie!
You can leave it out if you like. Or use black or wild rice which is totally on plan.
Hope you enjoy it!
Sharone O’Brien says
We absolutely LOVE this soup! We are first time Gina Livy Plan members, seniors (75 & 76 married 52 years) and are so enjoying trying these new recipes. This is absolutely the most wonderful, fulfilling soup. Having it for lunch as soon as it heats up - froze several meals of it. It’s very uplifting to go to your recipes and find such great, easy suggestions. . Tomorrow I am making the curried chicken and veggies.
Andrea says
I am so happy to hear that! I'm thrilled that you are finding my recipes so easy and delicious! Thanks for posting. 😊
Donna says
Fantastic soup! Really delicious!
Laura O’Brien says
Making this big batch today ! Can’t wait
Andrea says
Love it!!
Laura Obrien says
This was a huge hit at home. I couldn’t keep them away from the pot!
Andrea says
I love it! So happy everyone enjoyed it!
Janet Marks says
Love cabbage rolls - and this soup is even better! So perfect for winter and keeping warm. Can't wait to try another recipe
Andrea says
Yes a perfect comforting bowl of goodness! Happy you enjoyed it!
Laura says
This was so easy to make and absolutely delicious. It made a huge amount so I will be freezing for round 3 of Gina’s program !!
Andrea says
Yay! So happy you enjoyed it! It does make lots! Enjoy!
Cheryl says
Andrea! I made this a couple days ago. Thank you for posting the link in the Livy Plan fall group. It's delicious. I ate it yesterday for lunch and for supper. Soooo goood!!!!
Andrea says
I'm so happy you enjoyed it!!
Eveline says
Made the soup with chicken broth, will use beef broth next time.
The soup is great and there was plenty to freeze.
Nice recipe.
Andrea says
I'm happy you enjoyed it!
Donna Fradette says
Yummmmmyyyyyy! This was such a great idea Ann and sooo tasty! And so easy! Already had everything in the fridge/pantry. A new staple for sure...thanks!
Andrea says
So happy you enjoyed it Donna!! Definitely some nourishing comfort food!