Heartwarming Comforting Cabbage Soup Recipe for Chilly Days

Warm cabbage soup beckons with its hearty blend of nourishing ingredients and soul-soothing comfort.

Crisp vegetables mingle beautifully in this classic recipe passed down through generations.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this simple yet delicious dish that warms you from the inside out.

Nutritious and easy to prepare, this soup offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures.

Each spoonful promises a gentle embrace of home-style cooking that feels like a culinary hug.

Seasonal vegetables and aromatic herbs create a symphony of taste that transforms an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

You’ll want to savor every spoonful of this remarkable soup that connects tradition with pure culinary pleasure.

FAQs

• Is this soup nutritious?

Yes, it’s packed with protein from beef, fiber from cabbage and carrots, and complex carbohydrates from rice, making it a balanced and wholesome meal.

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey is a lean alternative that works perfectly in this soup and provides similar texture and protein content.

• What type of rice works best in this recipe?

Long-grain white rice is ideal, but you can also use brown rice for added nutrition, just adjust cooking time accordingly.

• How can I make this soup more spicy?

Add red pepper flakes, a dash of hot sauce, or include diced jalapeños during the vegetable cooking stage to increase heat and flavor.

Hearty Cabbage Beef Soup: Soul-Soothing Factors

• Savor Hearty Comfort: Packed with tender beef, crisp vegetables, and warming spices, this soup delivers a soul-soothing meal that hugs you from the inside out.
• Master Simple Cooking: Beginner-friendly recipe requires minimal kitchen skills, using basic ingredients and straightforward steps anyone can follow with confidence.
• Nutritious One-Pot Wonder: Combines protein-rich beef, fiber-loaded cabbage, and wholesome rice into a single pot, minimizing cleanup and maximizing nutritional value.
• Budget-Friendly Meal: Utilizes affordable ingredients like cabbage and ground beef, creating a filling dinner that stretches your grocery budget without compromising flavor.

What You Need for Cabbage Beef Soup

• Beef: A hearty and flavorful meat that provides the soup with rich protein and depth of flavor.

• Cabbage, Carrots: Fresh vegetables that add nutritional value, texture, and natural sweetness to the soup.
• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic ingredients that create a robust and savory base for the soup.

• Tomato Sauce: A tangy and slightly sweet component that enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Broth: Provides the liquid foundation and adds additional depth to the soup.
• Bay Leaf: An herbal seasoning that imparts a subtle, complex flavor.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a gentle sweetness to balance the savory elements.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the soup's taste.

• Oil: Used for sautéing and creating a non-stick surface for cooking.
• Rice: A hearty grain that adds substance and makes the soup more filling.
• Parsley: A fresh herb used for garnishing and adding a bright, clean flavor.

Soup Made Simple: The Steps

Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Pot

Drizzle oil into a large Dutch oven and heat it over medium-high flame until it shimmers with potential.

Step 2: Sizzle the Beef

Introduce beef to the hot pan, sprinkling with salt and pepper to awaken its flavors.

Let it dance and brown until it develops a gorgeous golden crust.

Step 3: Welcome Aromatic Companions

Toss chopped onions and minced garlic into the pan, letting them soften and release their fragrant essence for 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Build the Soup’s Foundation

• Shredded cabbage
• Diced carrots
• Tomato sauce
• Savory broth

Stir everything together, creating a colorful medley of textures and tastes.

Step 5: Enhance with Depth

• Uncooked rice
• Bay leaf
• Touch of brown sugar

These elements will transform your soup from simple to spectacular.

Step 6: Let the Magic Simmer

Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble, then reduce heat and let it quietly cook for about 25 minutes until rice becomes tender and vegetables soften.

Step 7: Final Touches

Pluck out the bay leaf, then garnish with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls, ready to warm hearts and satisfy hungry souls.

Cabbage Soup – Little Secrets for Hearty Flavor

• Choose ground beef with lower fat content for a healthier soup without sacrificing flavor.
• Swap white rice with brown rice or quinoa to boost nutritional value and add extra protein.
• Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or red wine vinegar to intensify the soup's savory profile.
• Incorporate additional vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers to increase nutrient content and texture variety.
• This soup tastes even better the next day, so prepare in advance for more developed flavors and convenient meal prep.

Beef & Cabbage Soup – Twists Worth Trying

• Vegetarian Cabbage Soup: Replace beef with plant-based protein like lentils or tofu, maintaining the same cooking method and spice profile.
• Low-Carb Version: Swap rice with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the soup's hearty texture.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Ensure tomato sauce is gluten-free and use gluten-free broth, replacing regular rice with quinoa or brown rice.
• Spicy Cabbage Soup: Add red pepper flakes, cayenne, or hot sauce to increase heat and create a more intense flavor profile.

Ladling Up Cabbage Beef Soup

• Cozy Comfort Companions: A hearty soup calls for delightful sidekicks to elevate your meal.
• Crusty Bread Delight: Slice a warm baguette or rustic sourdough to soak up every delicious spoonful of the soup.
• Zesty Green Salad: Toss a light, crisp salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a tangy vinaigrette to balance the soup's richness.
• Creamy Sour Cream Swirl: Add a dollop of sour cream on top for an extra creamy and cool contrast to the warm, savory soup.

Cabbage Soup: Save for Next Time

• Store leftovers in airtight container for 3-4 days, keeping soup cool and fresh in the refrigerator.
• Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion, and freeze up to 3 months for future quick meals.
• Transfer desired portion to microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until heated thoroughly.
• Pour soup into saucepan, warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, adding small splash of broth if soup seems too thick.

Comforting Cabbage Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Polish cabbage soup whisks home cooks straight to Warsaw’s winter kitchens with its rich, warming broth. Packed with tender vegetables and savory herbs, this soul-satisfying recipe offers pure comfort that connects families around steaming bowls of deliciousness.

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Ingredients

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Hearty Cabbage Beef Soup

Main Protein and Vegetables:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 4 cups chopped green cabbage
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 medium carrots, quartered and sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Liquid and Seasoning Base:

• 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 3 cans (8 ounces/240 milliliters each) tomato sauce
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Grains:

• 1/2 cup white rice, uncooked

Cooking Ingredient:

• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering.
2. Introduce beef chunks, seasoning generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper, searing until golden brown and caramelized.
3. Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
4. Fold in shredded cabbage, sliced carrots, tangy tomato sauce, and rich beef broth, creating a robust base.
5. Sprinkle uncooked rice into the simmering mixture, then introduce bay leaf and a touch of brown sugar for depth of flavor.
6. Reduce heat and allow the soup to gently simmer, stirring occasionally, for approximately 25 minutes until rice becomes tender and vegetables are perfectly cooked.
7. Carefully remove the bay leaf to prevent any bitter undertones.
8. Ladle the hearty soup into warm bowls, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.

Notes

• Swap rice with cauliflower rice for a low-carb version that keeps the soup’s hearty texture while reducing calories.
• Balance flavors by adjusting brown sugar quantity based on tomato sauce’s natural sweetness to prevent overwhelming savory notes.
• Enhance protein content by adding extra lean ground beef or using a blend of ground beef and turkey for lighter protein profile.
• Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and create a more visually appealing soup with balanced texture and bite.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Eastern European

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 199 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 263 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg