Crockpot Cabbage Roll Soup

This easy Crockpot Cabbage Roll Soup recipe takes all the flavors of the traditional dish and turns them into cozy soup, simmered in a savory tomato broth. Cooked low and slow in the crock pot, this hearty soup is the perfect comfort food for busy weeknights.

 

Unstuffed Cabbage Soup Recipe

This unstuffed cabbage roll soup takes the savory flavors of traditional cabbage rolls and transforms them into a warm and comforting soup the whole family will love. With seasoned ground beef, tender cabbage, and a flavorful tomato-infused broth, this is a hearty meal all in one bowl. 

It’s super easy to prepare, too. There’s no need to fuss over stuffing and rolling cabbage leaves. With this recipe, you just brown the lean meat, combine the rest of the ingredients in a slow cooker, and let it work its magic. Slow cooker soup recipes just make life so much easier! If you enjoy this one, you should also try this Minestrone Soup and this Broccoli Cheese Soup. 

Why We Love This Recipe

• Delicious flavors –  Between the savory broth, tender veggies, and ground beef, this soup has just as much flavor as classic cabbage rolls. 
• Easy soup recipe – The slow cooker does most of the cooking for you. It’s awesome for a busy weeknight meal or a family gathering.
• Family favorite – This is a perfect meal for the whole family. It’s a great way to get an extra serving of veggies into everyone’s diet too! 

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup

• Lean ground beef – We typically use 85/15 lean ground beef, but you can use 90/10. If you use 80/20, just make sure to drain it really well.  
• Garlic cloves – You use fresh garlic cloves or minced garlic in a jar. If you have garlic powder, you can use it as well.
• Diced onion – Yellow or white onion will work fine.  
• Head of cabbage – You need enough to make about 6 cups of chopped cabbage.
• Water – The recipe uses uncooked rice, so you’ll need this liquid to cook it.
• Uncooked minute rice – Minute rice cooks until it’s light and fluffy in the broth.
• Black pepper – You can use black pepper or ground white pepper.
• Garlic salt – You can also use garlic powder
• Sugar – Used to tone down the acid taste of the tomato sauce. You can use white sugar or brown sugar 
• Tomato sauce and petite diced tomatoes (with juice)– This creates the tomato broth that gives it the classic flavors of cabbage rolls.

How to Make Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Soup

Step One: Brown the Beef

In a medium-sized skillet, brown the ground beef with the onion and garlic over medium heat. Once the meat is brown, drain any grease that’s left over.

Step Two: Add the Ingredients to the Slow Cooker

In your slow cooker, add the chopped green cabbage leaves, the white rice, water, pepper, garlic salt, sugar, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes. Add the cooked ground meat mixture and stir until everything is combined. 

Step Three: Slow Cook Until Done

• Cover with the lid and cook on low for 5-6 hours (or on high for 3-4 hours) or until the rice and cabbage are tender. Once done, serve and top with parsley if you’d like!
• Store leftover cabbage roll soup in an airtight container for up to 4-days in the fridge. 

Tip: If you want the soup to cook a little faster, cut the cabbage into smaller pieces. 

Variations:

• Meat – You can swap out the lean beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground Italian sausage. 
• Seasonings – Feel free to add other seasonings to your soup. Bay leaf, a little dry Italian seasoning blend, fresh parsley or basil, or a pinch of red pepper flakes is a wonderful way to add bold flavors.  
• Broth –  Add great flavor to the soup by swapping out the water and using beef broth or vegetable broth instead. A couple of dashes of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce make a tasty addition. 
• Rice – This is already a healthy cabbage roll soup recipe, but for a low carb meal, swap the white rice with instant whole-grain brown rice or cauliflower rice. 
• Veggies – Add other veggies for even more nutrition. Bell peppers, carrots, and mushrooms make a really delicious cabbage roll soup option! 
• Toppings – If you prefer, you can add shredded cheddar to the top of your bowl of soup. For a bit of creamy tanginess, you can also top it with a dollop of sour cream. 

Can I Make This Soup in Advance?

Absolutely. This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop, making it a great meal prep option. Just store it in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days and reheat it as needed.

Can I Freeze This Easy Unstuffed Cabbage Soup?

Yes, you can freeze this soup for 2-3 months. Just make sure to let the soup cool down to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container or in freezer bags. When you’re ready to serve it, thaw it in the fridge overnight and then reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.

How Can I Thicken My Soup?

​If you want a thicker soup, you can drain the tomatoes, and add a small can of tomato paste instead. You can also simmer the soup with the lid off to allow some of the liquid to evaporate.

Cook This Stove Top

If you don’t have time to slow cook it, you can prepare it in a large pot or Dutch oven. Brown and drain the beef, add the remaining ingredients and allow it to simmer until the cabbage is tender. 

More Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes

• Crockpot Smokies
• Slow Cooker Chicken Teriyaki
• Crockpot Beef Stew
• Simple Slow Cooker Chili
• Crockpot Meatballs
• Slow Cooker Southwest Chicken