Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup (Print)

Hearty Eastern European soup with cabbage, beef, and rice in a rich tomato broth.

# Ingredient List:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb lean ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 4 cups green cabbage, chopped (about 1 small head)
05 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
06 - 2 celery stalks, diced

→ Grains

07 - 1/2 cup uncooked long-grain white rice

→ Liquids

08 - 6 cups beef broth (use gluten-free if needed)
09 - 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
10 - 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste

→ Spices & Seasonings

12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - 1 tsp dried thyme
14 - 1 tsp paprika
15 - 1 bay leaf
16 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
17 - 1 tsp salt (or to taste)

→ Optional Garnishes

18 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
19 - Sour cream, for serving

# How-To Steps:

01 - Cook the ground beef in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add diced onion, garlic, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in chopped cabbage and cook for another 2–3 minutes until slightly wilted.
04 - Add rice, beef broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, thyme, paprika, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice and vegetables are tender.
06 - Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
07 - Ladle into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley and a dollop of sour cream if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It captures everything magical about traditional cabbage rolls in about one third of the time and effort
  • The flavors meld together beautifully, creating something even more comforting than the original dish
  • Leftovers somehow taste better the next day, making it perfect for busy weeknight planning
02 -
  • The rice will continue absorbing liquid as the soup sits, so it may thicken overnight in the refrigerator
  • Removing the bay leaf before serving is crucial, nobody wants an unexpectedly crunchy surprise in their bowl
  • Ground turkey or chicken work beautifully if you want a lighter version, though the soup will have a slightly different character
03 -
  • Cut your cabbage slightly larger than you think necessary, it reduces significantly during cooking
  • Taste your broth before adding salt, since different brands vary dramatically in sodium content

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