Cabbage rolls were a staple in my family’s diet. My grandma would spend hours in the kitchen, carefully rolling meat and rice into cabbage leaves and then simmering them in a tomato-based sauce. As a child, I loved the smell of cabbage rolls cooking on the stove, but I always found the rolling process to be a bit daunting. However, as I grew older and started to cook for myself, I realized that making cabbage rolls was not as difficult as I had once thought. Yet, the process was still time-consuming and required a lot of attention to detail. That’s when I discovered the joy of unstuffed cabbage roll soup, which has all the same delicious flavors but without the fuss of rolling individual cabbage leaves.
Unstuffed cabbage roll soup is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines ground beef, chopped cabbage, and a rich tomato-based broth. The soup is seasoned with paprika, thyme, and other spices that give it a warm and comforting taste that is perfect for a cold winter day. Best of all, this recipe is easy to make and can be ready in under 30 minutes, making it a great option for busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.
How to prepare the Cabbage Roll Soup:
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
- 1 3/4 cups chopped onion
- 2 large carrots (chopped)
- 5 cups packed chopped cabbage
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 14.5 oz cans low-sodium beef broth
- 3 8 oz cans tomato sauce
- 2 14.5 oz cans petite diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp packed light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp dried paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano or 1 Tbsp chopped fresh
- 3/4 tsp dried thyme or 2 1/2 tsp chopped fresh
- 2 bay leaves
- 3/4 cup dry long-grain white rice
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
- Begin by heating olive oil in a large pot over a medium-high flame. Add the lean ground beef to the pot, seasoning it generously with salt and pepper. Cook the beef until it’s thoroughly browned, making sure to crumble it as it cooks.
- Once the beef is cooked, remove it from the pot and set it aside on a plate lined with paper towels. If there’s excess fat in the pot, retain about 2 tablespoons of it for the next steps, or alternatively, you can use additional olive oil.
- Now, add the chopped onions and carrots to the pot. Stir and cook for a minute before adding the chopped cabbage. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften. After about 2 minutes, mix in the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- It’s time to add the liquids and seasonings. Pour in the beef broth, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes. Follow this by adding the brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, oregano, thyme, and bay leaves. Stir well to combine.
- Return the browned beef to the pot. Give the mixture a good stir and then season with salt and pepper according to your taste. Bring the soup to a gentle boil.
- Once boiling, stir in the dry long-grain white rice. Cover the pot with a lid, reduce the heat to a simmer, and let it cook for about 25 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked. Stir the soup occasionally to prevent sticking.
- If you find the soup too thick, you can thin it by adding a bit of water or extra beef broth. Adjust the consistency to your liking.
- To finish, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley. This will add a fresh, zesty flavor to your soup.
- Your Cabbage Roll Soup is now ready to be served. Enjoy this hearty and flavorful dish, perfect for any meal
Frequent Asked Questions:
Is Cabbage Soup Good for You?
Cabbage soup is highly nutritious, thanks to its blend of vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. Cabbage, the key ingredient, is packed with vitamins C and K, fiber, and antioxidants. The lean ground beef adds protein, making the soup a balanced meal. Moreover, the inclusion of ingredients like carrots, garlic, and tomatoes not only enriches the flavor but also boosts the overall nutritional value of the soup with additional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Is Cabbage Soup Good for Diabetics?
Cabbage soup can be a suitable option for diabetics, particularly because it is low in fat and high in fiber, which helps in regulating blood sugar levels. The key is to monitor the portion of rice added to the soup to manage carbohydrate intake. Additionally, the low-sodium beef broth is a healthier choice, as it reduces the risk of hypertension, a common concern for diabetic patients.
Does Cabbage Soup Burn Belly Fat?
While cabbage soup is low in calories and can be part of a weight-loss diet, there is no scientific evidence to support that it specifically targets belly fat. Weight loss generally occurs when the body burns more calories than it consumes, and a balanced diet coupled with regular exercise is the most effective way to achieve this.
Is Too Much Cabbage Soup Bad for You?
Consuming cabbage soup in moderation is healthy, but overconsumption can lead to nutritional imbalances. Cabbage is high in fiber, which is good for digestion, but too much can cause digestive issues like bloating and flatulence. Additionally, a diet relying heavily on cabbage soup may lack in protein diversity and other essential nutrients required for a balanced diet.
Why Are My Cabbage Rolls Bland?
Bland cabbage rolls can often result from insufficient seasoning or not using ingredients like garlic, onions, and herbs effectively. To enhance the flavor, ensure you’re adding enough salt, pepper, paprika, and herbs like oregano and thyme. The addition of Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar in this recipe also helps to deepen the flavor profile.
What Country Invented Cabbage Rolls?
Cabbage rolls are a traditional dish with a disputed origin, claimed by many Eastern European countries, including Poland, Ukraine, and Russia. Each region has its own variation of the dish, reflecting local tastes and ingredients.
Does Cabbage Soup Cleanse You Out?
Cabbage soup is high in fiber and water content, which can aid in digestion and act as a natural cleanser for the digestive system. However, it should not be relied upon as a sole method of detoxification. Balanced nutrition is essential for overall health and wellness.
How Do You Make Cabbage Soup Not Gassy?
To reduce the gassy effects of cabbage soup, cook the cabbage thoroughly, as cooking can help break down some of the complex sugars that cause gas. Additionally, incorporating spices like ginger, cumin, or fennel, which are known for their digestive properties, can help mitigate gas production.
Does Cabbage Spike Blood Sugar?
Cabbage has a low glycemic index, meaning it does not significantly spike blood sugar levels. It is a beneficial vegetable for maintaining stable blood sugar, making it a suitable choice for individuals with diabetes or those monitoring their blood sugar levels.
Does Cabbage Spike Insulin?
No, cabbage does not cause a significant insulin spike. Its low carbohydrate content and high fiber make it a favorable choice for maintaining insulin sensitivity and blood sugar balance.
Can Dogs Eat Cabbage?
Yes, dogs can eat cabbage in moderation. It is safe and can be a healthy snack for dogs, providing them with additional fiber and nutrients. However, it should be given in small amounts as large quantities can cause digestive discomfort in dogs.
Cabbage Roll Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
- 1 3/4 cups chopped onion
- 2 large carrots chopped
- 5 cups packed chopped cabbage
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 14.5 oz cans low-sodium beef broth
- 3 8 oz cans tomato sauce
- 2 14.5 oz cans petite diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp packed light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp dried paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano or 1 Tbsp chopped fresh
- 3/4 tsp dried thyme or 2 1/2 tsp chopped fresh
- 2 bay leaves
- 3/4 cup dry long-grain white rice
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large cast-iron pot over medium-high heat.
- Add beef, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring and breaking up beef occasionally, until browned.
- Transfer beef to a plate lined with paper towels while reserving 2 Tbsp of the rendered fat in the pan (or drain off all fat and use 2 more tbsp olive oil), set beef aside.
- Add onion and carrots to pan and saute 1 minute, then add cabbage and saute 2 minutes, then add garlic and saute 1 minute longer. Pour in beef broth, tomato sauce, tomatoes, brown sugar, Worcestershire, paprika, oregano, thyme, and bay leaves. Return beef to soup mixture.
- Season soup with salt and pepper to taste and bring to a light boil, then add rice, cover pot, and reduce heat and simmer until rice is cooked through, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes.
- Stir in up to 1 cup water or more beef broth to thin as desired (it will thicken as it rests and become almost like a stew), then stir in lemon juice and parsley.
- Enjoy
