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A bowl of delicious Cabbage Roll Soup garnished with herbs and spices.

Cabbage Roll Soup

A warm and easy Cabbage Roll Soup capturing the essence of stuffed cabbage without the fuss of rolling leaves, making for a comforting meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Soup Base
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for sautéing the aromatics
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced yellow or sweet work well
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced fresh garlic gives the best flavor
  • 1 medium head cabbage, core removed and chopped green or Savoy cabbage are great
For the Protein and Filling
  • 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey choose lean to moderate fat (no pork)
  • 1 cup uncooked white rice rinsed briefly under cold water
For the Broth and Seasoning
  • 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes undrained, use fire-roasted for extra depth
  • 4 cups beef or vegetable broth low-sodium if you want more control over salt
  • 1 tablespoon paprika adds warmth and color
  • to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven.
  2. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent and fragrant — about 4–5 minutes.
  3. Push the onions to the side and add the ground beef or ground turkey. Break the meat up with your spoon and cook until it is evenly browned and no pink remains — about 6–8 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper while it cooks.
  4. Stir in the chopped cabbage, the entire can of diced tomatoes (including juices), the broth, rinsed uncooked rice, paprika, and a bit more salt and pepper to taste. Bring everything to a gentle boil.
Cooking
  1. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the soup simmer for about 30–40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the cabbage has softened to your liking. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and check seasoning toward the end.
  2. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or an extra pinch of paprika. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot, ideally with crusty bread or a simple side salad.

Notes

For a lighter option, ground turkey works beautifully. To avoid soupy or gummy rice, ensure consistent rice-to-liquid ratios.