Oh my gosh, you guys – this cabbage soup with ground beef is my absolute go-to when I need something hearty, comforting, and ridiculously easy to throw together. Picture this: it’s one of those chilly evenings when the kids are starving, my husband’s running late from work, and I’ve got about zero energy for complicated cooking. That’s when I grab my trusty soup pot and whip up this lifesaver. The magic happens in just about 40 minutes flat, and the whole house smells incredible while it simmers.
What I love most (besides how simple it is) is how the flavors develop – the sweet cabbage, savory beef, and those aromatic veggies all meld together into something that tastes like it simmered all day. Trust me, this isn’t your bland diet cabbage soup – it’s packed with flavor and texture that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. And the best part? It’s one of those meals that actually gets better as leftovers, so I always make a big batch!
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Cabbage Soup With Ground Beef
This isn’t just any soup – it’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug in a bowl! Here’s why it’s become my family’s favorite:
- Weeknight lifesaver: From chopping to serving in about 40 minutes – perfect when you’re short on time but want something homemade
- Pantry-friendly: Uses simple ingredients you probably already have (I’ve made it with frozen veggies when desperate!)
- Comfort food magic: That savory beef broth with sweet cabbage hits all the right notes – kids and adults both go crazy for it
- Leftover champion: Tastes even better the next day, and freezes like a dream for future lazy nights
Seriously – this soup checks all the boxes for busy families who still want to eat well! If you love soup, you’ll want to try this!
Ingredients for Cabbage Soup With Ground Beef
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this cozy soup – I promise it’s all simple stuff! Just grab:
- 2 Tbsp avocado oil (or olive oil if that’s what you’ve got)
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup – I like mine diced small so the kids don’t pick them out!)
- 3 large carrots, chopped (no need to peel if they’re organic)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (fresh is best, but 1 tsp garlic powder works in a pinch)
- 1 lb ground beef (I use 85% lean for flavor, but leaner works too)
- 4 large ripe tomatoes, chopped (or 1 can diced tomatoes if tomatoes aren’t in season)
- 4 cups chicken broth (low-sodium if you’re watching salt – beef broth works great too!)
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning (my secret weapon for instant flavor)
- ¼ tsp black pepper, plus more to taste
- Sea salt, to taste (start with ½ tsp and adjust later)
- 1 large head green cabbage, chopped (about 6–8 cups – don’t worry, it cooks down!)
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
This soup is super flexible! Here are my favorite swaps:
- Ground turkey or chicken works if you’re not feeling beef
- No fresh tomatoes? Use 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with their juices
- Vegetable broth makes this vegetarian-friendly (just skip the beef)
- Add ½ tsp red pepper flakes if you like a little kick
- Short on time? Grab pre-chopped coleslaw mix instead of cabbage
How to Make Cabbage Soup With Ground Beef
Okay, let’s get cooking! This soup comes together so easily – just follow these simple steps:
- Sauté those veggies: Heat your avocado oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrots, and garlic. Give them a good stir and let them cook for 3-5 minutes until they start to soften and smell amazing. You’ll see the onions turn translucent – that’s when you know they’re ready!
- Brown the beef: Push the veggies to one side (no need to remove them!) and add your ground beef. Let it brown undisturbed for about 3 minutes – this creates those delicious crispy bits. Then flip it over and brown the other side for another 3 minutes before breaking it into smaller pieces with your spoon.
- Bring it all together: Now toss in those chopped tomatoes, broth, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and salt. Give everything a good stir to combine. Finally, add your mountain of chopped cabbage – don’t panic, it’ll cook down dramatically!
- Simmer to perfection: Bring the soup to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for about 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the cabbage is tender but still has a slight bite to it.
- Taste and adjust: This is the fun part! Give it a taste and add more salt or pepper if needed. Sometimes I’ll throw in an extra pinch of Italian seasoning if I’m feeling fancy.
That’s it! Just ladle it into bowls while it’s piping hot and watch everyone dig in.
Tips for Perfect Cabbage Soup With Ground Beef
Here are my hard-earned secrets for soup success:
- Don’t crowd the beef: Give it space to brown properly – that caramelization equals flavor!
- Salt smart: Wait until after simmering to add more salt – the broth reduces and flavors concentrate.
- Chop evenly: Keep veggie pieces similar in size so they cook evenly.
- Low and slow: Keep that simmer gentle – boiling too hard can make the cabbage mushy.
Hearty Cabbage Soup With Ground Beef
A hearty and flavorful cabbage soup with ground beef, perfect for a comforting meal. This easy recipe combines simple ingredients for a delicious and nutritious dish.
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Avocado Oil
- 1 Medium Yellow Onion, Chopped
- 3 Large Carrots, Chopped
- 4 Cloves Garlic, Minced
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 4 Large Ripe Tomatoes, Chopped
- 4 Cups Chicken Broth or Beef Broth
- 1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper, to taste
- Sea Salt, to taste
- 1 Large Head Green Cabbage, Chopped (about 6–8 cups)
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of avocado oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrots, and garlic. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until softened.
- Push vegetables to one side and add ground beef. Brown for 3 minutes on each side, then break into smaller pieces and mix with vegetables.
- Add tomatoes, broth, Italian seasoning, black pepper, sea salt, and chopped cabbage. Stir well.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes until cabbage is tender.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef for a healthier option.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Serving Suggestions for Cabbage Soup With Ground Beef
Oh, let me tell you how I love to serve this soup! A big hunk of crusty sourdough for dunking is non-negotiable in our house. When I’m feeling fancy, I’ll add a simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette – the fresh crunch makes the perfect contrast to that rich, savory broth. Sometimes I’ll even sprinkle a little parmesan on top right before serving – trust me, it takes this cozy soup to the next level! If you want more ideas for cozy meals, check out this chicken gnocchi soup recipe.
Storing and Reheating Cabbage Soup With Ground Beef
Here’s the best part – this soup actually gets better as leftovers! Let it cool completely, then store it in airtight containers. It’ll stay fresh in the fridge for about 3 days, or you can freeze it for up to 3 months (I always stash a few portions for emergency meals). When you’re ready to eat, reheat it gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat – the microwave works too, but the stovetop keeps the texture perfect. If it seems too thick after storage, just add a splash of broth or water to loosen it up!
Nutritional Information for Cabbage Soup With Ground Beef
Here’s the scoop on what’s in each comforting bowl (based on my typical ingredients): about 250 calories, 12g fat, 18g protein, and 20g carbs with a whopping 6g fiber! Remember – these numbers can change depending on your exact ingredients, especially if you tweak the beef leanness or broth type. But no matter how you make it, this soup packs a nutritious punch!
FAQs About Cabbage Soup With Ground Beef
I get so many questions about this soup – here are the ones that pop up most often!
Can I use frozen cabbage? Absolutely! Just thaw it first and squeeze out any excess water before adding. Frozen cabbage tends to be softer, so you might want to reduce the simmer time by 5-10 minutes.
How can I make this soup spicier? My favorite trick is adding a pinch of red pepper flakes when browning the beef. You could also stir in some hot sauce at the end or add diced jalapeños with the other veggies.
Is this like cabbage roll soup? It’s similar but simpler – no rice or long simmering needed. The flavors are just as comforting though! To make it more like traditional cabbage rolls, you could add ½ cup uncooked rice with the broth. For other comfort food ideas, see this cheeseburger soup recipe.
Can I make this in a crockpot? You bet! Just brown the beef and sauté veggies first (for best flavor), then dump everything in the slow cooker on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
Share Your Cabbage Soup With Ground Beef Experience
I’d love to hear how your soup turns out! Drop a comment below, snap a photo for Instagram, or leave a rating – your kitchen stories make my day! You can also follow along for more updates on our Facebook page.
