• A hearty, comforting soup with ground beef, tender cabbage, rice, tomatoes, and savory herbs. This easy slow cooker dinner delivers all the delicious flavors of traditional cabbage rolls without the extra work!
  
• Recipe Details
  
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 6–7 hours on LOW or 3–4 hours on HIGH
• Rice Cooking Time: Last 1–2 hours, depending on setting
• Total Time: Approximately 7 hours
• Servings: 6–8
• Course: Dinner, Main Course, Soup
• Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
• Cooking Method: Slow Cooker
• Diet: Gluten-Free (check broth and seasonings)
• Ingredients
• 1 pound (450 g) lean ground beef
• 1 small green cabbage, chopped into bite-sized pieces (about 6 cups)
• 3/4 cup uncooked long-ain white rice
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, with juices
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
• 5 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, if needed
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Wash and chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces. Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and measure out the rice and seasonings.

Keep everything ready before starting so assembling the soup is quick and easy.

Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook for approximately 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until completely browned.

Drain excess grease if necessary. Add the diced onion and cook for another 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 3: Add Ingredients to the Slow Cooker

Transfer the cooked beef mixture into your slow cooker.

Add the chopped cabbage, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, oregano, basil, paprika, salt, black pepper, bay leaf, and Worcestershire sauce.

Stir everything gently to combine.

Step 4: Slow Cook the Soup

Cover the slow cooker with its lid.

• LOW: Cook for approximately 5–6 hours before adding the rice.
• HIGH: Cook for approximately 2½–3 hours before adding the rice.

The cabbage should begin softening and the flavors should blend beautifully.

Step 5: Add the Rice

Stir in the uncooked rice.

Cover and continue cooking:

• On LOW for approximately 1–2 hours.
• On HIGH for approximately 45–60 minutes.

Cook until the rice is tender and the cabbage is soft. Cooking time can vary depending on your slow cooker and rice variety.

Step 6: Check and Adjust the Seasoning

Remove the bay leaf. Taste the soup and adjust the salt, black pepper, and seasonings as desired.

If the soup is thicker than you prefer, stir in a little extra warm beef broth until you reach your desired consistency.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!

Ladle the hot cabbage roll soup into bowls. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired.

Serve with crusty bread, garlic toast, or your favorite side dish for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Helpful Tips for the Best Cabbage Roll Soup

• Brown the beef first: This adds a deeper, richer flavor and allows you to drain excess fat.
• Use fresh cabbage: Green cabbage works wonderfully because it becomes tender without completely losing its texture.
• Add rice near the end: This prevents the rice from becoming overly soft during the long cooking process.
• Adjust the broth: Rice absorbs liquid, so add extra broth if you prefer a thinner soup.
• Use lean ground beef: It creates a delicious soup without leaving too much grease.
• Make it your own: Ground turkey or Italian sausage can be substituted for ground beef.

What to Serve with Cabbage Roll Soup

This hearty soup is delicious on its own, but these sides make it even better:

• Crusty French bread
• Garlic bread
• Homemade dinner rolls
• Fresh green salad
• Roasted vegetables
• Buttered cornbread

Storage Instructions

Refrigerator: Allow the soup to cool, then transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.

Freezer: Store cooled soup in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Keep in mind that the rice and cabbage may soften slightly after freezing.

Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave until steaming hot. Add a splash of broth or water if the soup has thickened.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Yes! Brown rice can be used, but it requires a longer cooking time. For the best texture, cook it separately and stir it into the soup before serving.

Can I make cabbage roll soup without a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Prepare the beef and onions in a large pot, add the remaining ingredients except the rice, and simmer until the cabbage is tender. Add the rice and cook until soft.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

Yes. Ground turkey is an excellent alternative if you prefer a lighter soup.

Why is my cabbage roll soup too thick?

Rice absorbs a lot of liquid as it cooks and continues absorbing broth during storage. Simply add extra beef broth or water to thin the soup.

Can I prepare this soup ahead of time?

Yes! You can brown the beef, chop the vegetables, and prepare the tomato mixture a day ahead. Refrigerate the prepared ingredients separately until ready to cook.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup is everything you love about traditional cabbage rolls in an easier, cozier, and more convenient form. With tender cabbage, flavorful ground beef, rice, and a rich tomato broth, every spoonful is comforting and satisfying.

Whether you’re preparing a family dinner, meal prepping for the week, or looking for a cozy cold-weather meal, this recipe deserves a place in your regular dinner rotation!

Give it a try, and enjoy a warm bowl of homemade comfort!

Recipe Card

Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup

Description: A hearty and comforting slow cooker soup made with ground beef, tender cabbage, rice, tomatoes, and savory herbs. All the delicious flavors of traditional cabbage rolls in an easy one-pot meal!

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6–7 hours
Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Dinner, Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: Approximately 310 kcal per serving

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
• 1 small green cabbage, chopped (about 6 cups)
• 3/4 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 5 cups beef broth
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt, or to taste
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef for 6–8 minutes, breaking it into small pieces. Drain excess grease.
2. Add the diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
3. Transfer the beef mixture to a slow cooker.
4. Add chopped cabbage, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, oregano, basil, paprika, salt, pepper, bay leaf, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well.
5. Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 2½–3 hours, until the cabbage begins to soften.
6. Stir in the uncooked rice. Cover and cook on LOW for another 1–2 hours or HIGH for 45–60 minutes, until the rice is tender.
7. Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Add extra broth if needed.
8. Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm.

Notes

• Brown the ground beef before adding it to the slow cooker for better flavor.
• Add rice toward the end to prevent it from becoming mushy.
• Use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter option.
• Add extra broth if the soup becomes too thick.
• For meal prep, store rice separately if you want to maintain a thinner soup.

Storage

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until steaming hot. Add broth if necessary.

Nutrition Information (Estimated Per Serving)

• Calories: 310 kcal
• Protein: 20 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fat: 12 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 780 mg

Nutrition values are estimates and vary depending on the ingredients and brands used.