Crockpot Cabbage Roll Soup

Slow cooker cabbage roll soup is a delicious and comforting dish that combines the flavors of classic cabbage rolls in a soup with the ease of a slow cooker. This hearty soup is perfect for those chilly days when you crave a warm and satisfying meal but are too lazy to spend time cooking in the kitchen!

The crockpot cooks the cabbage, beef, and tomato together as they slowly simmer creating rich flavors and filling your home with an enticing aroma. This easy cabbage soup cooks up into a tasty dish that's a cross between a casserole and a hearty soup or stew.

Crockpot cabbage roll soup is the best comfort food! Diving into a bowl of cabbage soup not only warms you up from the inside out but also provides a wholesome and flavorsome meal.

It's also simple and convenient making it an ideal choice for busy individuals and families. So go ahead and give this delightful soup a try, and let the crockpot work its magic while you enjoy the anticipation of a comforting and delectable meal.

If you love this recipe you might also try our Roasted Red Cabbage Steaks or some other slow cooker recipes such as this Spicy Beef Stew ,Mongolian Beef, Slow Cooker Tomato Soup or our Red Cabbage Soup.

Why You Will Love This Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup

• This budget-friendly crockpot cabbage soup recipe is packed with nutrients and so easy to make compared to traditional cabbage rolls.
• This warming comfort food is easily prepared in advance in your slow cooker for the perfect savory and hearty dish for cooler weather.
• So easy to serve this soup is ready when you are simply ladle the soup into bowls, and enjoy a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

This soup could not be easier to make! Here's a look at the ingredients you will need to gather.

• Ground Beef: Beef is the classic meat when making cabbage rolls but you can easily swap it out for ground pork, ground chicken, ground turkey, ground sausage or a blend. You can use 1-2 pounds of meat. I find using two pounds makes a much meatier dish.
• Onion and Minced Garlic: Adds a wonderful depth of flavor to the soup. When it comes to garlic feel free to add more if you want a more garlicky flavor.
• Beef Broth: Provides the liquid and soupy base when blended with tomatoes and tomato sauce for this dish.
• Cabbage: Green cabbage is most commonly used to make this soup. You can feel free to experiment with other types of cabbage but they will have different textures.
• Canned Tomatoes: This recipe relies on crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce for the foundation of the broth. You can also use diced or whole tomatoes for a chunkier texture in place of crushed.
• Celery Ribs and Carrots: Classic veggies for flavor and texture. Feel free to add your favorite root vegetables such as parsnip, squash, turnip, rutabaga, or sweet potatoes.
• Beef Bouillon: Enhances the flavors.
• Dried Thyme or Oregano: Add your favorite seasoning blend for more flavor.

See the recipe card below for the full list and exact quantities of each ingredient.

Substitutions and Variations

Don't have the correct ingredients on hand? Or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this crockpot cabbage soup.

• Vegetarian: Substitute the meat with a plant-based alternative such as meatless crumbles or tofu ground beef. You can also add more veggies or beans such as black beans, kidney beans, or chickpeas for protein instead.,
• Add Sweet Peppers: Use a variety of colors and add them in the last 30 minutes of cooking. This adds a bit of sweet flavor while still maintaining their texture.
• Sweeter Flavor. The tomatoes may be a bit too acidic for some. If that's the case you can add some white granulated sugar or brown sugar to reduce acidity from tomatoes.
• Add Rice: If you want to add some rice you can serve it up over cooked rice or add cooked rice to the slow cooker towards the end of cooking. This keeps it from becoming too mushy.
• Spicy: Add a bit of cayenne pepper, chili pepper flakes, or diced jalapeno pepper. You might also try our jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the egg mixture for a bit of heat. You can also serve up our homemade hot pepper sauce on the table as well.

How to Make Crockpot Cabbage Roll Soup

Here's a look at the main steps in this crockpot soup recipe. Check the recipe card for the full details.

1. Spread out your crumbled raw ground meat over the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the celery, carrots, onions, cabbage, garlic, salt, pepper and thyme. Empty the can of diced tomatoes, beef broth, and tomato sauce over top.
2. Stir to combine and then cover and cook the soup on low for about 8 hours or on high for about 4 hours.

3. Remove the lid and stir to mix well. Give it a taste, adjust the seasonings, and add some sugar if desired.

⭐️ Hint: If the consistency is too thin, you can thicken it by either mixing in a cornstarch slurry (blend equal parts cornstarch and cold water or broth from the pot in a cup before adding to soup). Another option is to continue simmering the dish uncovered until it reduces to your liking.

Storage

Refrigerator: Store the cooled leftover stuffed cabbage soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezer: You can freeze the soup in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty resealable freezer bags for up to 3 months. Make sure to leave some space for the soup to expand as it freezes.

Reheat: If your soup is frozen, first allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge or use the defrost setting on your microwave. Reheat the soup on the stovetop over medium heat and stirring occasionally until it's heated through. Alternatively, reheat the soup in the microwave at medium power using one-minute intervals and stirring between each one. Continue until the soup is heated throughout. Add a little water or broth if the soup appears too thick when reheating, and adjust seasoning as needed.

What To Serve With Stuffed Cabbage Soup

• Bread: A side of crusty bread, cornbread, gluten-free cornbread, air fryer garlic bread, or air fryer frozen garlic bread is perfect for soaking up all the delicious juices.
• Salad: A classic Caesar salad complements the hearty flavors of the soup but this mixed greens salad or spinach salad are wonderful additions too. A simple cucumber salad adds a refreshing element to your meal, especially if your soup is spicy.
• Side Dishes: If you prefer it a bit heartier you can serve it over a bowl of rice or any other favorite starch side dishes. You might also find some ideas in this collection of what to serve with cabbage rolls.

Tips

• Cabbage Soup Consistency. You can easily adjust it to your preference. If it's too thin, thicken it by adding a cornstarch slurry or by letting the soup simmer uncovered until reduced to your liking.
• Select Fresh Cabbage. You want it firm with tightly packed leaves for the best results in your crockpot cabbage rolls. You can also use pre-packaged coleslaw mix to save a bit of time.
• Slow Cooking is Best. Slow-cooking cabbage roll soup on low for 6-8 hours yields tender cabbage and well-developed flavors. If you're short on time you can cook it on high for 3-4 hours but the result might not be as tender.
• Adjusting the Flavors. Don't be afraid to taste the dish and adjust the salt, pepper, heat level, and spices as needed. Remember, everyone's palates are different so make sure it's seasoned to your liking.

FAQ

Video

Other Cabbage Recipes to Try

Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

This post was originally published March 2016. It has been updated with new images and content.