Cabbage Soup with Ground Beef: A Hearty and Nourishing Comfort Meal

If you’re looking for a hearty, satisfying, and easy-to-make soup, Cabbage Soup with Ground Beef is the perfect choice. Packed with lean ground beef, fresh vegetables, and flavorful seasonings, this dish delivers all the comfort and nutrition you need in a bowl. The combination of tender cabbage, sweet carrots, and savory broth creates a well-rounded meal that’s as nutritious as it is delicious.

In this article, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide to making this comforting cabbage soup, along with tips for advanced techniques, storage advice, and dietary adaptations. Whether you’re enjoying it as a main dish or a side, this soup will quickly become a favorite in your household.

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Basic Recipe: Ingredients and Instructions

This Cabbage Soup with Ground Beef recipe is easy to follow and can be made in one pot. Packed with protein, fiber, and rich flavors, it’s a nutritious and filling meal that you’ll want to enjoy time and time again.

Cabbage Soup with Ground Beef | Hearty, Healthy, and Easy to Make

Author: Jennifer Mitchell
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This hearty and comforting Cabbage Soup with Ground Beef is packed with nutritious vegetables like carrots, cabbage, and tomatoes, all simmered in a savory broth with lean ground beef and rice. It’s a delicious and filling soup that’s perfect for a cozy meal, offering a great balance of protein and vegetables. The addition of Worcestershire sauce and a hint of brown sugar (optional) gives it a rich, savory flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, diced
1 pound lean ground beef
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth*
15 ounces diced tomatoes (canned)
14 ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
2 large carrots, peeled and diced
14 ounces green cabbage, cored and cut into bite-sized pieces (about 1 small head of cabbage)
1/2 cup long grain white rice
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Sauté the Onion and Ground Beef:
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until it becomes translucent.
Add the lean ground beef to the pot, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Add Garlic and Tomato Paste:
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly, to allow the tomato paste to deepen in flavor.
Season the Soup:
Add the salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce to the pot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
Add Broth and Tomatoes:
Pour in the low-sodium beef or chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and crushed tomatoes. Stir to combine.
Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, allowing the flavors to meld together for 5-10 minutes.
Add the Vegetables and Rice:
Stir in the diced carrots, cabbage, and rice.
Bring the soup back to a simmer, cover the pot, and cook for 25-30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the rice is cooked through. Stir occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Add Optional Brown Sugar:
If desired, stir in 1 tablespoon of brown sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Serve:
Once the soup is cooked and the flavors have melded, ladle the soup into bowls.
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

Broth: You can use beef broth for a richer flavor, or chicken broth for a lighter option. Ensure you’re using a low-sodium broth to keep the soup from becoming too salty.
Rice: If you want to make this soup gluten-free, you can substitute the long grain rice with quinoa or another gluten-free grain.
Vegetables: If you prefer a different vegetable, you can add potatoes, bell peppers, or zucchini.
Freezing: This soup freezes well for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Soup, Main Dish, Comfort Food
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1/6 of the recipe)
Calories: 320
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 850mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 20g
Cholesterol: 50mg

Keywords: Cabbage Soup with Ground Beef

Instructions:

Sauté the vegetables and beef: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Add the garlic and seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.
Add the liquids and vegetables: Pour in the beef or chicken broth, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir in the diced carrots and cabbage. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Cook the rice: Add the rice to the pot and stir it into the soup. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the cabbage is tender.
Add the brown sugar (optional): If you like a hint of sweetness in your soup, stir in 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper as needed.
Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

This Cabbage Soup with Ground Beef makes about 6 servings and is perfect for a cozy meal on a cool day.

Advanced Techniques

To elevate the flavor and texture of your Cabbage Soup with Ground Beef, here are a few advanced techniques:

1. Brown the Meat and Vegetables

For deeper flavor, make sure to brown the ground beef well, and allow the onions and garlic to caramelize slightly before adding the broth. This creates a richer base and enhances the savory flavors in the soup.

2. Add Herbs for Extra Flavor

Incorporate fresh or dried herbs like thyme, bay leaves, or rosemary into the soup while it simmers for a more aromatic, complex flavor. Be sure to remove the bay leaves before serving.

3. Make It Spicy

For a little kick, consider adding red pepper flakes, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or some diced jalapeños. You can also use spicy sausage instead of ground beef for a flavorful heat.

4. Use Bone Broth

For an even richer, more flavorful base, swap out regular broth for homemade bone broth. The extra collagen in bone broth will add a silky texture and boost the soup’s nutritional value.

See more advanced recipes, at Mobolux.

Storage, Shelf Life, and Maintenance Tips

Cabbage Soup with Ground Beef is great for meal prep and leftovers. Here’s how to store and reheat this delicious soup:

Storage:

Allow the soup to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
For longer storage, freeze the soup in individual portions for up to 3 months. Let it cool before transferring to freezer-safe containers or resealable bags.

Reheating:

Reheat the soup on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s heated through.
You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until hot.

Maintain the Texture of Rice:

If you plan on freezing the soup, you may want to cook the rice separately and add it later. Rice tends to absorb a lot of liquid when frozen and may become mushy when reheated. Keep it separate and add it in when you serve the soup.

Dietary Adaptations and Substitutions

This Cabbage Soup with Ground Beef is versatile and can be adapted to meet a variety of dietary needs. Here are some substitutions and adaptations to consider:

1. Low-Carb/Keto

Replace the rice with cauliflower rice for a low-carb or keto-friendly version. It adds a similar texture without the carbs.
You can also use zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles as a replacement for rice.

2. Gluten-Free

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, so there’s no need for substitutions unless you are serving it with bread. If you need a gluten-free bread option, choose one made with rice flour or almond flour.

3. Dairy-Free

This soup is naturally dairy-free, but if you prefer a creamier texture, you can add a splash of coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk to make it richer.

4. Vegetarian

For a vegetarian version, swap the ground beef for plant-based protein like lentils, crumbled tempeh, or chopped mushrooms. You may want to increase the amount of broth and seasonings to make up for the flavor that the beef would normally provide.

FAQs About The Recipe

1. Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

Yes! To make this in a slow cooker, sauté the onions, garlic, and ground beef in a pan first, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

2. Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey is a great lean substitute for ground beef in this soup. Just be sure to adjust the seasoning, as turkey tends to be more mild than beef.

3. Can I make this soup ahead of time?

Yes! This soup stores well in the refrigerator for a few days and even tastes better the next day as the flavors continue to meld together.

4. Can I freeze this soup?

Yes! This soup freezes beautifully. Just make sure to store it in airtight containers or freezer-safe bags. To reheat, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stovetop or microwave.

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

This Cabbage Soup with Ground Beef is the ultimate comfort food that’s simple to make, healthy, and full of delicious flavors. It’s the perfect meal for anyone who enjoys hearty, filling dishes but wants something lighter than traditional stews and casseroles. With just a few basic ingredients, you can make a flavorful, satisfying soup that’s perfect for any time of year.

Whether you’re meal prepping for the week, making a large batch for the family, or enjoying it as leftovers, this soup is sure to become a go-to recipe in your kitchen. Enjoy a warm bowl of cabbage soup, and garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finishing touch!