Fresh Stuffed Cabbage Soup Recipe: A Cozy Bowl of Comfort

Warm, comforting bowls of stuffed cabbage soup bring memories of hearty family dinners flooding back.

This classic recipe honors traditional Eastern European cuisine with its rich, satisfying flavors.

Tender cabbage leaves, ground beef, and aromatic seasonings meld together in a delightful culinary experience.

Every spoonful delivers a nostalgic taste that connects generations through simple, nourishing ingredients.

The soup captures the essence of home-cooked comfort, blending familiar textures and robust seasonings.

Cozy up with this soul-warming dish that promises to chase away winter chills and fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas.

Gather your ingredients and let’s transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

What Makes Stuffed Cabbage Soup Comforting

• Family-Friendly Feast: Packed with ground beef, veggies, and rice, this soup offers a nutritious meal that kids and adults will love, making dinnertime a breeze.
• Versatile Winter Warmer: Perfect for chilly evenings, this soup delivers rich, satisfying flavors that warm you from the inside out, ideal for cozy family gatherings or casual weeknight dinners.
• Simplicity in Cooking: Minimal prep work and straightforward ingredients mean you can have a delicious, homemade soup on the table with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.

What’s Inside Stuffed Cabbage Soup

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that adds richness to the soup.
• Cabbage: A classic vegetable that brings a tender and slightly sweet crunch.
• Tomatoes: A juicy base that adds depth and tanginess to the soup.
• Rice: A comforting grain that makes the soup more filling.

• Onion, Bell Peppers: Vegetables that provide a sweet and savory foundation.
• Salt, Pepper, Dill, Paprika: Spices that enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Bay Leaf, Worcestershire Sauce: Ingredients that add complexity and depth.

• Stock: A flavorful liquid that creates the soup's base.
• V8 Juice, Water: Optional liquids for adjusting soup consistency.

Cooking Stuffed Cabbage Soup

Step 1: Sizzle Ground Beef with Aromatic Vegetables

Heat oil in a large stock pot over medium heat.

• Onions
• Bell peppers

Sprinkle salt and pepper.

Cook until beef is fully cooked and vegetables are golden and soft.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Soup Base

• Chopped cabbage
• Tomatoes
• Stock
• Bay leaf
• Dill
• Paprika
• Worcestershire sauce

Bring mixture to a boil, then lower heat to a gentle simmer.

Let soup cook uncovered for 45 minutes until cabbage becomes tender.

Step 3: Incorporate Hearty Rice

Stir rice into the simmering soup.

Continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes.

Step 4: Adjust Soup Consistency

If soup seems too thick, splash in V8 juice or water to thin it out.

Step 5: Final Seasoning

Taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed.

Serve hot and enjoy this comforting meal that brings together robust flavors and satisfying textures.

Handy Tips For Stuffed Cabbage Soup

• Chop cabbage uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent tenderness throughout the soup.
• Keep extra V8 juice or water nearby to adjust soup thickness, preventing it from becoming too dense or dry.
• Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce near the end of cooking to boost the umami and richness of the soup.
• Add rice during the last 30 minutes to prevent overcooking and maintain its ideal al dente texture.
• Taste and adjust salt and pepper gradually, ensuring the soup's flavors are well-rounded without being overpowering.

Store Stuffed Cabbage Soup The Right Way

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to develop and taste even better the next day.
• Carefully transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months, avoiding rice if possible as it might become mushy when thawed.
• Warm the soup over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or broth if the soup has thickened during storage to restore its original consistency.
• Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.

Sides For Stuffed Cabbage Soup

• Pair Rustic Red Wine: Select a bold, hearty red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to complement the rich, meaty flavors of the stuffed cabbage soup. These wines have enough structure to stand up to the robust beef and vegetable base.
• Match Crusty Sourdough Bread: Serve warm, crusty sourdough bread alongside the soup to soak up the delicious broth. The tangy, slightly sour bread adds a wonderful textural contrast and helps mop up every last drop of the flavorful soup.
• Enhance with Pickled Vegetable Side: Add a small plate of quick-pickled cucumbers or sauerkraut to cut through the soup's richness. The acidic, crisp pickled vegetables provide a bright counterpoint to the hearty, warm soup and help cleanse the palate between bites.
• Balance with Chilled Pilsner Beer: Choose a crisp, light Pilsner beer to refresh the palate. The beer's clean, slightly hoppy profile works beautifully with the soup's deep, comforting flavors and helps cleanse the mouth after each savory spoonful.

Recipe Ideas For Stuffed Cabbage Soup

• Vegetarian Deconstructed: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a protein-packed meat-free version. Add extra mushrooms for umami depth and rich texture.
• Keto-Friendly Low-Carb Option: Substitute rice with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. Use bone broth instead of regular stock to increase nutrient density and maintain low-carbohydrate profile.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free. Replace Worcestershire sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to eliminate potential gluten contamination. Use gluten-free rice or quinoa as grain alternative.
• Slow Cooker Method: Transfer all ingredients except rice to slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Add rice during final hour of cooking for perfectly tender grains and streamlined preparation.

FAQs

• Is this soup similar to traditional stuffed cabbage rolls?

This soup captures all the classic flavors of stuffed cabbage rolls but in an easier, quicker one-pot format without the labor-intensive wrapping process.

• Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, replace ground beef with plant-based ground meat or add extra beans like kidney or black beans for protein and texture.

• What type of rice works best in this soup?

Long-grain white rice or brown rice are ideal. Avoid quick-cooking or instant rice as they might become mushy during the longer cooking time.

• How can I enhance the soup's flavor profile?

Consider adding a splash of apple cider vinegar at the end for brightness, or sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley or extra dill for added freshness and depth of flavor.

Stuffed Cabbage Soup Recipe

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4.9 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comforting stuffed cabbage soup brings hearty Polish family traditions to your kitchen with rich, savory flavors. Warmth and nostalgia mingle in each spoonful, inviting you to savor a classic dish that connects generations through its robust ingredients.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 1.5 pounds ground beef (85% lean)

Vegetables:

• 1 onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 small head of cabbage, cored and coarsely chopped (or 2 bags of pre-shredded coleslaw)

Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil
• 1 28 ounces (794 grams) can of crushed tomatoes
• 6 cups beef stock or broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 dash of Worcestershire sauce
• 0.5 cup uncooked rice
• V8 juice or water to thin the soup if it gets too thick
• Salt
• Pepper

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a robust pot, introducing ground beef, diced onions, and colorful bell peppers. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper, sautéing until meat caramelizes and vegetables soften.
2. Incorporate chopped cabbage, crushed tomatoes, rich vegetable stock, aromatic bay leaf, fragrant dill, smoky paprika, and tangy Worcestershire sauce. Elevate heat to trigger rapid boiling, then immediately reduce to gentle simmering.
3. Allow soup to gently bubble, uncovered, for approximately 45 minutes, ensuring cabbage transforms into tender, translucent ribbons while flavors harmonize.
4. Introduce uncooked rice, continuing the simmering process for an additional half-hour, stirring occasionally to prevent rice from clustering.
5. Assess soup’s consistency, recognizing potential thickness. Should liquid appear too dense, delicately thin with vegetable juice or pure water, maintaining balanced texture.
6. Perform final seasoning adjustment, carefully calibrating salt and pepper to complement the soup’s robust profile, ensuring every spoonful delivers complex, satisfying flavor.

Notes

• Choose ground beef with lower fat content to reduce greasiness and create a healthier soup base.
• Dice vegetables uniformly for consistent cooking and better texture throughout the soup.
• Consider using brown rice for added nutritional value and a nuttier flavor profile.
• When reducing sodium, substitute low-sodium broth and limit additional salt, using herbs and spices for enhanced taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Eastern European

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 22g
• Cholesterol: 70mg