The Comfort of Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup
There is something deeply satisfying about a warm bowl of soup, especially when it recreates a traditional family favorite without all the fuss. Traditional stuffed cabbage rolls taste incredible, but wrapping meat and rice inside individual cabbage leaves takes a lot of time and patience. That is why unstuffed cabbage roll soup is such a wonderful kitchen hack. You get all the rich, savory flavors of the classic dish in a fraction of the time.
This hearty soup combines tender chunks of green cabbage, savory ground meat, sweet tomatoes, and wholesome rice simmered together in a rich and flavorful broth. As the soup cooks, the cabbage softens into a melt in your mouth texture, while the tomatoes and spices create a cozy, aromatic base. It is a complete one pot meal that feeds a hungry crowd and makes your entire house smell amazing while it simmers on the stove.
Whether you are looking for an easy weeknight dinner for busy days or a comforting bowl of warmth for chilly weather, this recipe delivers every single time. You only need basic ingredients that are budget friendly and easy to find at any local grocery store. Let us dive into the details and learn how to make this delicious unstuffed cabbage roll soup step by step.
Cooking Time and Serving Information
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Prep time: 15 minutes
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Cook time: 30 minutes
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Total time: 45 minutes
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Servings: 6 people
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Yield: About 8 cups of soup
The Recipe Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients before you start cooking. Everything is easy to prep and comes together quickly in a single pot.
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Ground meat: 1 pound of lean ground beef or ground turkey
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Cabbage: 1 medium head of green cabbage, chopped into bite sized pieces
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Onion: 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
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Garlic: 3 cloves of garlic, minced
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Broth: 4 cups of beef broth or chicken broth
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Tomatoes: 1 can of diced tomatoes and 1 can of tomato sauce for a rich base
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Rice: 1 cup of cooked white rice or brown rice stirred in at the end
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Olive oil: 2 tablespoons for cooking the meat and vegetables
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Seasonings: 1 teaspoon of paprika, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to taste
How to Make Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup
Follow these clear steps to create a delicious and hearty pot of soup that your whole family will love.
Step 1: Cook the Meat and Aromatics
Place a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add your olive oil. Add the diced onion and ground meat to the pot. Cook everything for about 6 to 8 minutes, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks, until the meat is fully browned and the onions are soft and clear. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until it smells fragrant.
Step 2: Add the Cabbage and Spices
Add your chopped green cabbage into the pot along with the paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything well so the spices coat the meat and vegetables. Let the cabbage cook down for about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to shrink and soften slightly.
Step 3: Pour in the Liquids
Pour the beef broth, canned diced tomatoes with their juices, and tomato sauce into the pot. Stir the soup thoroughly to combine all the ingredients and scrape up any tasty bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Bring the liquid to a gentle boil over medium high heat.
Step 4: Simmer the Soup
Once the soup is boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. This gives the cabbage plenty of time to become completely tender and allows all the wonderful flavors to blend together.
Step 5: Add the Rice
Stir your cooked rice into the hot soup and let it warm through for about 3 minutes. If you use uncooked rice, you can add it directly to the pot during step three, but you will need to add an extra cup of broth and simmer the soup a bit longer until the rice is tender.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Ladle your hot unstuffed cabbage roll soup into bowls and serve it immediately while it is piping hot. You can garnish it with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if you like.
Helpful Chef Notes
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Rice options: White rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice all work wonderfully in this soup depending on your personal preference.
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Make ahead friendly: This soup actually tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to sit together in the refrigerator.
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Freezer instructions: You can freeze this soup for up to two months in an airtight container. Leave out the cooked rice if you plan to freeze it, and add fresh rice when you reheat the soup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make a vegetarian version by swapping the meat for canned beans or lentils and using vegetable broth instead of beef or chicken broth.
Do I have to use green cabbage, or can I use red cabbage?
Green cabbage is the traditional choice for this recipe because of its mild flavor and soft texture when cooked, but you can use Napa cabbage or even savoy cabbage if that is what you have on hand.
How do I prevent the rice from getting mushy?
If you plan to store leftovers for several days, it is best to stir the cooked rice into individual bowls when serving rather than mixing a large batch of rice directly into the main soup pot.
Nutrition Information Table
The values below show the estimated nutrition facts for this recipe per single serving.
| Nutrient | Per Serving |
| Calories | 280 kcal |
| Protein | 18 g |
| Total Fat | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 30 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugars | 9 g |
| Sodium | 750 mg |
Important Disclaimer
Please enjoy this unstuffed cabbage roll soup as part of a balanced diet. This recipe contains ingredients like beef and may include wheat or soy depending on the specific broths and sauces you choose. If you have specific medical conditions, food allergies, or dietary restrictions, please check all product labels carefully or substitute ingredients to keep your meals safe before cooking.