Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup With Ground Beef
Skip the effort of the traditional dish and whip up this Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup With Ground Beef instead! Packed with tender cabbage, ground beef, rice, and rich tomato broth, it’s an easy, comforting dinner perfect for meal prep.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 10 minutes prep
- 👪Serves: 6
- 🍽 Calories: 316 kcals
- 📋Main Ingredients: Ground beef, onion, cabbage, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, seasonings, and broth.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free.
- ⭐ Why You’ll Love It: This hearty cabbage roll soup recipe is total comfort food, packed with rich flavor and easy slow cooker convenience.
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This ground beef and cabbage soup recipe is a “slow cookers save your sanity” recipe because it’s so easy to whip up. The cabbage becomes perfectly tender without turning mushy, while the rice and beef soak up all the rich tomato flavor as it cooks. Pair it with some crusty bread and it’s perfection.
The soup also reheats well as the flavors almost deepen overnight, making the soup even better the next day, though you may want to add a splash of broth since the rice continues absorbing liquid as it sits. It pairs perfectly with a strawberry spinach salad with lemon dressing when you want a more balanced comfort-food meal.
Jump to:
- A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Items and Substitutions
- Flavors To Try
- How To Make Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup With Ground Beef
- Helpful Hints
- How To Enjoy It
- Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup FAQs
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- Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup With Ground Beef
Items and Substitutions
- Ground Beef: A leaner beef will mean that you drain a little less. You could also make this cabbage roll soup with ground turkey, pork, or a combo.
- Cabbage: Green cabbage works best because it softens nicely while still holding a bit of texture during the long cook time. Be sure to chop it into bite-sized pieces so it cooks evenly and is easier to eat in every spoonful.
- Beef Broth: If you have homemade broth amazing. If not, buy a low-sodium one so that you can control the taste of the soup a bit more. You can use the extra for this sausage potato kale soup no cream.
- Minute Rice: Its quick-cooking nature is ideal for slow cooker recipes, helping thicken the broth without overcooking.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Tools you’ll need
Before starting the recipe, you’ll want to have all your kitchen essentials ready. I recommend having the following items:
Flavors To Try
This easy cabbage roll soup recipe is flexible. You can swap ingredients based on what you have at home to suit your needs.
- Change out the cabbage. Try using collard greens or spinach. These leafy greens can add a different flavor.
- Use another ground meat. Other meats like ground turkey or chicken can be used instead of ground beef. Poultry works well in the soup, and it provides protein without too much fat.
- Make it low-carb. I prefer using cauliflower rice in place of rice to cut the carb counts, like in this low carb shrimp fried cauliflower rice. Shiratake rice can be used as well.
- Add milk or cream near the end of cooking. This will change the soup’s consistency but can make it richer.
How To Make Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup With Ground Beef
Step 1: Chop all the vegetables to prep them while you add the ground beef, onion, and oregano to a medium skillet, and cook over medium heat until cooked through.
Step 2: While the meat is cooking, prepare the rice according to package directions. Set aside. Add cabbage, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce to the crockpot.
Step 3: Add in the ground beef, onions, salt, pepper, and beef broth. Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4-6.
Step 4: Cook the rice according to package directions and add it in right before serving.
Note
Sautéing the ground meat, onions, and garlic before adding them to the slow cooker enhances the flavor and prevents the soup from having a greasy texture. Also, chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and easy serving.
Helpful Hints
Pro tip: Prepare Ahead!
To get a deeper flavor, consider sautéing onions in a bit of oil before adding the meat. Browning the onions and ground meat in a skillet before slow cooking adds a rich, savory base for the soup and enhances the flavor complexity.
When making the crockpot cabbage soup with rice, there are a few tips to ensure the best flavors and textures come through:
- Use Canned Tomatoes. Both fresh and canned tomatoes can work, but crushed tomatoes or diced varieties tend to blend best with the soup. Consider selecting fire-roasted for a smoky flavor if you use canned tomatoes.
- Layer Ingredients for Optimal Cooking. In a slow cooker, layering matters. Place heartier ingredients like cabbage at the bottom, as they take longer to cook. Save more delicate ingredients, like rice, for later to avoid mushiness.
- Add Rice Wisely: Rice is a classic ingredient in cabbage rolls, but in soup, it can absorb a lot of liquid. Either cook the rice separately and add it at the end, as listed, or add uncooked rice midway through cooking for a slightly firmer texture.
- Storing leftovers: Once cooled, store the soup in the fridge for 3 days or in the freezer for 3 months. If freezing, leave some room at the top of the bag or container for it to expand.
- Reheating: Let the soup thaw fully if frozen and reheat it over low to medium heat on the stove or in the slow cooker. You may need a splash of broth to loosen it up.
How To Enjoy It
Slow cooker cabbage roll soup is hearty enough to serve as a full meal, especially on colder nights when you want something filling. We usually serve it in big bowls with extra broth and a sprinkle of fresh herbs on top for an easy family dinner but below are a few pairings that work well.
- Pair it with warm bread to soak up the rich tomato broth.
- Serve smaller portions in mugs or cups for lunches, casual gatherings, or easy meal prep throughout the week.
- Follow it up with easy mini gingerbread cheesecakes in the winter months when serving a crowd.
Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup FAQs
More Easy Comforting Dinner Recipes
If you tried this Crockpot Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup With Ground Beef
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 3 cups cabbage chopped
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes canned
- 8 ounces tomato sauce canned
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 32 ounces beef broth
- 3 cups Minute rice cooked
Instructions
- Dice the onion and chop the cabbage.
- Add the ground beef, onion, and oregano to a medium skillet, and cook over medium heat, breaking the meat up as it cooks, until meat is browned.
- While the meat is cooking, prepare the rice according to package directions. Set aside.
- Add cabbage, cooked meat, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce to the crockpot, then sprinkle with salt and pepper, and pour in the beef broth. Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4-6 hours.
- Add the cooked rice right before serving and stir.
- Serve hot, and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- medium skillet
- silicone spatula
- slow cooker
I use pork and beef in my recipe, a family favorite!!!!