Cabbage Roll Soup
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This easy Cabbage Roll Soup is everything you love about classic stuffed cabbage rolls-without the time or effort. It's a hearty, one-pot soup filled with tender cabbage, ground beef, rice, and a rich tomato broth.
If you love cabbage soup, you might also love to try this Slow Cooker Cabbage Soup.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email, and we'll send it to your inbox. Plus, you'll get delicious new recipes from us every Friday!
If you've ever made traditional cabbage rolls, you know they're delicious but time-consuming. This "unstuffed" version (sometimes called unwrapped cabbage roll soup) delivers those same comforting flavors in a simple, weeknight-friendly way.
It's cozy, satisfying, and perfect for chilly evenings-especially when served with warm bread or a simple green salad.
What I Love About This Soup
Although I love a delicious cabbage roll any time of the year, they take time that I often don't have. It's then that I remember this hearty, filling, and satisfying bowl that I can make in 30 minutes!
Here's what I love about this delicious soup:
- All the flavor, none of the fuss - no rolling or stuffing required
- One pot, easy cleanup - perfect for busy weeknights
- Hearty and satisfying - with beef, rice, and tender cabbage
- Great for leftovers - the flavors deepen beautifully overnight
A perfect, easy weeknight dinner with fresh bread and even salad greens.
If you love cabbage roll flavors, you might also enjoy my German Krautstrudel, a savory cabbage-filled pastry that brings those same comforting flavors into a flaky, golden crust.
Jump to:
Ingredients You'll Need
This cabbage roll soup uses simple pantry ingredients you likely already have on hand:
- Ground beef - adds richness and classic flavor (ground turkey works too)
- Green cabbage - about ½ head, coarsely chopped
- Onion and garlic - for a flavorful base
- Carrots - add subtle sweetness and color
- Diced tomatoes - create a rich, tomato-based broth
- Uncooked long-grain rice - cooks right in the soup for heartiness
- Broth - beef, chicken, or vegetable stock all work well
- Brown sugar - balances the acidity of the tomatoes
- Bay leaf and thyme - simple, classic seasoning
- Salt and pepper - to taste
- Fresh parsley (optional) - for garnish
How to Make Cabbage Roll Soup
- Brown the beef: In a large soup pot, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add remaining ingredients: Stir in the cabbage, carrots, diced tomatoes (with juices), rice, broth, and seasonings.
- Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice and vegetables are tender.
- Finish and serve: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm with fresh parsley if desired.
This soup is even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop. If you enjoy cooking with cabbage, you might also love this German Cabbage and Noodles, a simple one-pan dish with tender cabbage and comforting noodles.
Serving Ideas
This hearty cabbage roll soup is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs beautifully with:
- Crusty bread or dinner rolls
- A simple green salad
- Buttered potatoes or roasted vegetables
Leftover cabbage can also be used in recipes like this Corned Beef Hash, a simple and delicious way to turn cooked cabbage into another meal.
Recipe FAQs
Cabbage roll soup is a simplified version of traditional stuffed cabbage rolls, made as a one-pot soup with cabbage, ground meat, rice, and tomato broth.
Yes, you can omit the rice or substitute with cauliflower rice or cooked grains added at the end.
Yes-cabbage roll soup is often called unstuffed or unwrapped cabbage roll soup because it uses the same ingredients without the rolling step.
Yes, but for best texture, freeze it without the rice or slightly undercook the rice before freezing.
Easy Cabbage Roll Soup
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 4 cups cabbage coarsely chopped
- 2 carrots peeled and chopped
- 4 cups broth beef or chicken
- 1 cup water
- 2 14.5 ounce cans diced tomatoes undrained
- ¾ cup uncooked long-grain rice
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons parsley
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, season with salt and pepper to taste, and cook until the beef is browned; 4 to 5 minutes. Add the onion and garlic; continue to cook for 2 minutes more.
- To the ground beef, add the cabbage, carrots, broth, tomatoes, rice, bay leaf, thyme, and brown sugar. Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir.
- Bring the soup to a boil and then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender. Remove and discard the bay leaf; sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
- Rice Tip: The rice cooks directly in the soup and will continue to absorb liquid as it sits. If you prefer a brothier soup (especially for leftovers), add a splash of additional broth when reheating.
- Make Ahead: This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing Tip: For best results, freeze the soup without the rice or slightly undercook the rice before freezing, as it can become soft when thawed and reheated.
- Protein Options: Ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for the beef for a lighter version.
- Low-Carb Option: Swap the rice for cauliflower rice and add it during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Flavor Balance: A small amount of brown sugar helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes-adjust to taste or omit if preferred.
- Cabbage Texture: If you prefer softer cabbage, simmer a bit longer; for more texture, keep the cook time closer to 20 minutes.
- Serving Idea: Serve with crusty bread or a simple green salad for a complete and comforting meal.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
More Cabbage & Soup Recipes to Try:
- German Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls
- German Cabbage Roll with Filo Pastry
- Corned Beef Hash with Cabbage
- Best Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
- Simple Mushroom Barley Soup
- Kentucky Burgoo Recipe
- Light and Fresh Spring Soups
- Irish Vegetable Potato Leek Soup
- Finnish Salmon Soup (Lohikeitto)
If you try this recipe, I'd love to hear your comments and consider giving it a 5-star rating. Explore the recipe index for more easy, delicious ideas, and stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!
We love soep I am a forner this the easyes way to make this delicious soep