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Hearty Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup

Hearty Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup

Hearty Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup is a comforting, soul-soothing meal that combines the classic flavors of traditional cabbage rolls with the ease of slow cooking. Featuring tender cabbage, savory ground meat, and a rich tomato-based broth, this nutritious and family-friendly soup is perfect for any season and ideal for effortless weeknight dinners or meal prep.

  • Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes to 8 hours 20 minutes (low) or 3 hours 20 minutes to 4 hours 20 minutes (high)
  • Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Protein

  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey

Vegetables

  • 1 medium head of cabbage, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2–3 cloves garlic, minced

Tomato Base

  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

Broth and Liquids

  • 4 cups beef or chicken broth

Grains (Optional)

  • 1/2 cup long grain rice or barley, rinsed

Seasonings

  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp Italian herbs (dried oregano, basil, thyme mix)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces, finely dice the onions and garlic, and if using rice, rinse it well under cold water. Brown the ground meat in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked to develop a rich flavor base before adding to the slow cooker.
  2. Layer Everything in the Slow Cooker: Begin by placing the browned meat at the bottom of the slow cooker. Next, add the chopped cabbage, diced onions, minced garlic, and rinsed rice (if using). Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth. Sprinkle the paprika, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper evenly over the mixture. Gently stir to combine all ingredients.
  3. Set and Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. This slow cooking process melds the flavors and softens the cabbage to tender perfection.
  4. Final Touches Before Serving: Taste the soup and adjust seasonings with additional salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar if needed to balance the acidity. For a thicker consistency, uncover and cook on high for an extra 15 to 30 minutes to allow some liquid to evaporate.

Notes

  • Brown the meat first: Searing the ground beef or turkey locks in flavor and improves texture.
  • Don’t overfill the slow cooker: Leave some headspace to allow even cooking and expansion of rice or grains.
  • Use fresh cabbage: Fresh cabbage wilts nicely and absorbs broth without becoming mushy.
  • Add rice later for texture control: Adding rice halfway through cooking prevents it from becoming overly soft.
  • Layer flavors carefully: Add herbs and seasonings gradually and adjust at the end for best taste.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high)
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1.5 cups
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 22g
  • Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: cabbage roll soup, slow cooker soup, hearty soup, comfort food, easy dinner, ground beef soup, cabbage recipes, tomato soup