Hearty Cabbage & Beef Soup (Stuffed Cabbage–Style)

Ingredients

• 1½ lbs ground beef

• 1 small head of cabbage, diced

• 1 small onion, diced

• ½ red bell pepper, diced

• 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes

• 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

• 1 (4 oz) can tomato paste

• 6–8 cups beef broth

• 4 cups water (adjust depending on pot size)

• ⅔ cup long-grain white rice

Seasonings (to taste)

• Smoked paprika

• Lawry’s garlic salt

• Cracked black pepper

• Oregano

• BasiL

• Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

  Step 1 – Prepare the Ingredients

  1. Wash the cabbage thoroughly.

  2. Remove the hard core from the center of the cabbage.

  3. Chop the cabbage into small bite-size pieces.

  4. Dice the onion and mince the garlic.

  5. If using carrots or celery, chop them into small cubes.

  Preparing everything before cooking helps the process go smoothly.

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  Step 2 – Brown the Ground Beef

  1. Place a large soup pot or Dutch oven on the stove.

  2. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and heat on medium heat.

  3. Add the ground beef to the pot.

  4. Break it apart with a spoon while cooking.

  5. Cook for 6–8 minutes until the meat becomes fully browned.

  If there is a lot of fat in the pot, carefully drain some of it.

  This step builds the base flavor for the soup.

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  Step 3 – Cook the Aromatics

  1. Add the chopped onion to the browned meat.

  2. Cook for about 3–4 minutes until the onion becomes soft and slightly translucent.

  3. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.

  The onion and garlic give the soup a rich, savory aroma.

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  Step 4 – Add Vegetables

  Add the chopped cabbage and optional vegetables:

  • cabbage

  • carrots

  • celery

  • bell peppers

  Stir everything together and cook for 5–7 minutes.

  The cabbage will begin to soften and shrink slightly.

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  Step 5 – Add Liquids

  Now pour in:

  • 6 cups beef broth

  • diced tomatoes

  • tomato sauce

  Stir everything well so the ingredients combine evenly.

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  Step 6 – Add Rice and Seasonings

  Add the following:

  • uncooked rice

  • paprika

  • oregano

  • thyme

  • salt

  • pepper

  • Worcestershire sauce (optional)

  • bay leaf

  Mix everything thoroughly.

  The rice will cook inside the soup, absorbing the tomato broth and adding heartiness.

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  Step 7 – Simmer the Soup

  1. Increase heat and bring the soup to a gentle boil.

  2. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low.

  3. Cover the pot partially with a lid.

  4. Let it simmer for 25–30 minutes.

  During this time:

  • the rice cooks

  • cabbage becomes tender

  • flavors combine together

  Stir occasionally so the rice does not stick to the bottom.

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  Step 8 – Final Taste Adjustment

  After simmering:

  1. Remove the bay leaf.

  2. Taste the soup.

  3. Adjust salt and pepper if needed.

  4. Add brown sugar if the tomatoes taste too acidic.

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  Step 9 – Serve

  Ladle the hot soup into bowls.

  Optional toppings:

  • fresh chopped parsley 🌿

  • sour cream

  • crusty bread

  This soup is very filling and can easily be the main meal.

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