Cabbage Soup Recipe

This hearty Cabbage Soup recipe is perfect for chilly nights when you want something comforting to warm you up. It’s so easy to make and a favorite for the whole family, since it’s loaded with ground beef, veggies, and cabbage in a yummy tomato broth.

Cabbage soup in a white bowl with a spoon and white tablecloth

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Helpful Reader Review

“We love this soup! It’s pure comfort food but it just happens to be healthy.. so many veggies in there.. filling and delish! Gotta give it a try!” – Cindy ★★★★★

Easy Cabbage Soup

Inspired by my favorite Cabbage Rolls, or Lazy Cabbage Rolls, this soup recipe features all the same savory ingredients with much less hassle — just throw everything into the pot.

This cabbage soup recipe makes dinner so easy! It takes just one pot on the stovetop and pantry staples. I love doubling the recipe to freeze some for later — two meals in one! Don’t let the word “cabbage” in the name scare you–this is a savory, beefy soup with great depth of flavor.

I love serving satisfying soups, like this Cabbage Soup, Loaded Potato Soup, or Zuppa Toscana, as temperatures start to fall in Idaho, because they are easy, warming, and filling. Doesn’t everyone just seem hungrier in the winter?

Large pot of red cabbage soup with parsley garnish and crusty bread

Cabbage Roll Soup Ingredients

This recipe calls for basic ingredients you may already have on hand, and it comes together quickly.

  • Cabbage -Use green cabbage. We like to cube the cabbage, but you can shred the cabbage.
  • Broth – we used beef broth; you can substitute with vegetable (vegetarian) or chicken broth.
  • Tomatoes – canned diced tomatoes and tomato sauce produce a richly flavored base.
  • Ground beef – We prefer lean 80/20 ground beef for flavor. Feel free to swap with ground turkey, ground pork, Italian sausage, or a combination of ground meat. You can use tofu crumbles or omit meat for a vegetarian option.
  • Veggies/Aromatics – Celery, onion, carrot, and minced garlic.
  • Herbs – Bay leaf, parsley, cilantro, dill, or a combination
  • Brown sugar – balances out the acidity of tomatoes
Ingredients for Fall stew using ground beef, oil, onion, garlic, carrot, celery, greens, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, bay leaves and chopped herbs

Pro Tip:

If you prefer a spicy soup, add jalapeno or red pepper flakes to the soup with the veggies in step 3.

How to Make Cabbage Soup

It’s so easy to make this cabbage soup recipe, making it perfect for a weeknight meal or easy family dinner with minimal dishes.

  1. Sauté beef – In a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, saute the ground beef, breaking it up as it browns.
  2. Add onion and garlic – Add the chopped onion to the ground beef and saute until tender. Then add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
  3. Add veggies and simmer – Add the carrots, celery, cabbage, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, bay leaves, salt, pepper, brown sugar, and broth, and stir. For extra veggies, try adding green beans to the soup. Bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes until vegetables are tender.
  4. Add herbs – Remove the bay leaves, add in the fresh herbs, and season to taste.
How to make vegetable and beef stew in a dutch oven

Pro Tip:

Add rice – for a more filling soup, you can add rice, barley, or quinoa when adding the vegetables. Be sure not to simmer the soup for too long, since the rice can turn mushy.

Can I Make Cabbage Soup in the Slow Cooker?

This recipe is easy to transition to the slow cooker. Brown the ground beef and onions, and then add all the ingredients to the soup into the slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours and or high for 4-5 hours. Add herbs and allow the soup to cook for another 5 minutes.

Serve Cabbage Soup With

Serve Cabbage Soup warm, topped with sour cream, fresh herbs, or Jalapeno slices. We love the hearty soup on its own, or with crusty bread and fresh salad to complement, so try some of these recipes:

Dutch Oven with Cabbage soup and a ladle

Cabbage Soup is a warming and soothing soup that is hearty and so satisfying. This recipe also reheats well, so you’ll love having leftovers. Add this to your menu for a quick and filling one-pot meal in minutes!

Cabbage Soup

4.99 from 198 votes
Cabbage soup recipe in a bowl with parsley garnish and a large metal spoon
Warm up with this easy recipe for stuffed Cabbage Soup. It tastes just like my favorite Cabbage Rolls without any hassle. My whole family loves the soup with sauteed beef loaded with vegetables and cabbage in a rich tomato broth. This Cabbage soup is perfect for fall cooking and meal prep, since it's make-ahead and freezer-friendly.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 6 servings
  • 1 lb ground beef, 80% or 85%
  • 2 Tbsp oil, divided
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups green cabbage, chopped, from ½ large head
  • 1 large carrot, sliced
  • 1 celery rib, thinly sliced
  • 28 oz canned diced tomatoes, with their juice
  • 15 oz tomato sauce
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp salt, or to taste
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper, or to taste
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 Tbsp chopped fresh herbs, such as dill, parsley, or cilantro

Instructions

  • Sauté – In a Dutch oven, heat 1 Tbsp oil over medium/high heat. Once hot, saute the ground beef for about 4-5 minutes or until cooked through, breaking it apart with a spatula as it's cooked. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper, or to taste.
  • Add onion and garlic – Once the meat is browned, add 1 Tbsp oil and chopped onion, and saute for about 2-3 minutes or until onions are tender. Add in the minced garlic and saute for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Add veggies and simmer – Add in the chopped cabbage, carrot, celery, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, 1 tsp salt, pepper, and bay leaves. Stir to combine and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 30 minutes.
  • Add herbs – Remove the bay leaves and add in the fresh herbs. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with a dollop of sour cream.

Notes

Make Ahead – Make the soup, cool completely (or refrigerate within 2 hours), and then store in the fridge or freezer.
Storage
  • Refrigerate – Once the soup has cooled to room temperature (no more than 2 hours), cover the leftover soup and store it in the fridge for 3-4 days.
  • Freezing – Add the cooled soup to an airtight container with enough room for expansion, and freeze for about 2-3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
  • To Reheat – add the desired portion to a saucepan over medium heat until 165°F, or microwave portions in a microwave-safe container.

Nutrition Per Serving

6g Serving324kcal Calories19g Carbs19g Protein20g Fat7g Saturated Fat1g Polyunsaturated Fat10g Monounsaturated Fat1g Trans Fat54mg Cholesterol1310mg Sodium1163mg Potassium4g Fiber13g Sugar2223IU Vitamin A37mg Vitamin C98mg Calcium4mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Cabbage Soup
Serving Size
 
6 g
Amount per Serving
Calories
324
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
20
g
31
%
Saturated Fat
 
7
g
44
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
10
g
Cholesterol
 
54
mg
18
%
Sodium
 
1310
mg
57
%
Potassium
 
1163
mg
33
%
Carbohydrates
 
19
g
6
%
Fiber
 
4
g
17
%
Sugar
 
13
g
14
%
Protein
 
19
g
38
%
Vitamin A
 
2223
IU
44
%
Vitamin C
 
37
mg
45
%
Calcium
 
98
mg
10
%
Iron
 
4
mg
22
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cabbage roll soup, cabbage soup, cabbage soup recipe
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 324
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

More Cabbage Recipes

Cabbage is one of those staple fall and winter vegetables that is inexpensive and so versatile. We use it in this cabbage soup recipe as well as these other family favorites:

4.99 from 198 votes (153 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  • THOMAS DUKE
    February 11, 2026

    My wife said, “Amazing!” I did use less cabbage.

    Reply

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