Hearty Cabbage Soup with Ground Beef Recipe: Cozy Comfort Bowl

Hearty cabbage soup dances with robust ground beef, promising a comforting meal that warms your soul on chilly evenings.

Mediterranean kitchens have long celebrated this rustic dish as a nutritious staple.

Rich flavors meld together, creating a symphony of taste that feels both familiar and exciting.

Lean protein and crisp vegetables combine in a delightful harmony that satisfies deep hunger.

Home cooks appreciate how simple ingredients can craft something truly remarkable.

Each spoonful tells a story of classic cooking traditions passed through generations.

You’ll find this recipe offers a perfect balance of nutrition and pure deliciousness.

Let’s uncover the magic of this soul-satisfying soup that turns an ordinary meal into an extraordinary experience.

What Goes Into Cabbage and Ground Beef Soup

• Ground Beef: Rich protein base for the soup, provides hearty flavor and substance. Choose lean ground beef for less fat.

• Onion, Carrots, Celery: Classic soup base for depth and sweetness. Fresh, firm vegetables work best for maximum flavor.
• Garlic: Adds robust, pungent flavor to the soup. Fresh garlic cloves recommended for most intense taste.

• Cabbage: Provides texture and nutrition, core vegetable in this soup. Green cabbage has crisp structure and mild flavor.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds acidity and liquid base, creates rich soup foundation. Canned tomatoes with juice work perfectly.
• Beef Broth: Creates liquid volume and enhances meaty flavor. Low-sodium broth allows better seasoning control.
• Zucchini: Optional vegetable for extra nutrition and softness. Fresh zucchini maintains best texture.

• Basil, Oregano, Smoked Paprika: Herb and spice combination for complex flavor profile. Dried herbs work well.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall taste. Fresh ground black pepper preferred.
• Bay Leaf: Provides subtle background flavor. Remove before serving.

• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables. Extra virgin olive oil offers best flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: Optional garnish for color and fresh herb accent.

Simmering Instructions for a Flavorful Cabbage Soup

Step 1: Brown the Beef

• Ground beef

Heat a large pot over medium flame. Crumble the ground beef into the pot, breaking it into small pieces while cooking. Cook until the meat turns completely brown and no pink remains. Drain off any excess fat.

Step 2: Saute Vegetable Base

• Olive oil
• Onion
• Carrots
• Celery

Drizzle olive oil into the same pot. Toss in chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Stir and cook for 5-7 minutes until vegetables soften and become slightly translucent.

Step 3: Awaken the Aromatics

• Garlic

Add minced garlic to the vegetable mixture. Stir quickly and cook for about 60 seconds until the kitchen fills with a delightful fragrant aroma.

Step 4: Combine All Ingredients

• Chopped cabbage
• Diced tomatoes
• Beef broth
• Basil
• Oregano
• Smoked paprika
• Salt
• Pepper
• Bay leaf

• Chopped cabbage
• Diced tomatoes with their juice
• Beef broth
• Basil
• Oregano
• Smoked paprika
• Salt
• Pepper
• Bay leaf

Stir everything together until well combined.

Step 5: Simmer and Soften

Bring the soup to a rolling boil. Immediately reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes. The cabbage and vegetables should become tender during this time.

Step 6: Optional Veggie Boost

• Zucchini

If desired, add diced zucchini during the last 10 minutes of cooking for extra nutrition and texture.

Step 7: Final Touches

Remove the bay leaf. Taste the soup and adjust seasonings as needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor.

Cooking Tips to Keep Cabbage from Getting Mushy

• Maximize Beef Flavor: Brown the ground beef thoroughly to develop deep, rich flavors before adding other ingredients, ensuring maximum taste development.
• Vegetable Timing Matters: Add delicate vegetables like zucchini during the last 10 minutes of cooking to prevent overcooking and maintain their fresh texture and nutrients.
• Customize Soup Consistency: Adjust broth amount for thicker or thinner soup based on personal preference, adding more beef broth if you want a lighter consistency.
• Boost Nutrition Hack: Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based protein for a lighter version, maintaining the soup's hearty character while reducing calories.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Let the soup simmer longer than recommended to allow herbs and spices to fully infuse, creating a more complex and satisfying taste profile.

How to Store and Reheat Ground Beef Cabbage Soup

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 35 days.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months, maintaining best flavor and texture.
• Warm soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of beef broth if the soup seems too thick.
• Thaw soup overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat gently on the stovetop, stirring frequently until heated through completely.

Simple Sides for This Homestyle Soup

• Select a medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to complement the hearty beef and rich soup flavors, with smooth tannins that balance the savory elements.
• Serve a rustic sourdough or garlic-rubbed ciabatta to soak up the delicious broth, adding textural contrast and enhancing the soup's robust profile.
• Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chives on top to introduce a light, fresh note that cuts through the soup's richness and adds a vibrant green pop of color.
• Prepare a simple mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to provide a crisp, acidic counterpoint to the warm, meaty soup and cleanse the palate between bites.

Flavor Add-Ins for Cabbage and Beef Soup

• Low-Carb Keto Version: Replace beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. Skip carrots, use cauliflower instead of cabbage, and increase zucchini to boost vegetable content.
• Vegetarian Adaptation: Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. Add extra mushrooms for umami flavor and protein boost.
• Gluten-Free Option: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free. Use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce if added. Verify broth contains no gluten-based additives.
• Paleo-Friendly Variation: Use grass-fed ground beef. Remove carrots, increase root vegetables like turnips. Replace tomatoes with roasted red peppers. Use bone broth for enhanced nutrition.

Cabbage Soup with Ground Beef to Warm You Up

• This cabbage soup comes together in under 45 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when time is short.
• Packed with lean ground beef, plenty of vegetables, and low-calorie cabbage, this soup delivers a balanced, wholesome meal that keeps you full and satisfied.
• Using affordable ingredients like cabbage, ground beef, and basic pantry spices, this recipe provides a delicious, wallet-friendly dinner that doesn't compromise on flavor or nutrition.
• Easily swap vegetables, adjust seasonings, or add extra protein to suit your taste preferences and make this soup your own family favorite.

Cabbage Soup With Ground Beef Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty German cabbage soup blends rich ground beef with tender vegetables in a comforting one-pot meal. Robust flavors and simple ingredients create a nourishing dinner that warms you from the first delightful spoonful.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 1 lb (454 g) ground beef

Vegetables:

• ½ head of cabbage, chopped (about 4 cups)
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 medium carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 zucchini, diced (optional)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquid and Seasonings:

• 6 cups beef broth
• 1 can (14.5 ounces/411 g) diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Heat a spacious cooking vessel and thoroughly brown the ground beef, meticulously crumbling the meat while ensuring complete cooking. Eliminate any excess rendering.
2. Without cleaning the pot, introduce a light coating of olive oil and gently transform the onions, carrots, and celery into a translucent, softened medley through careful sautéing.
3. Infuse the aromatic landscape with minced garlic, allowing its essence to permeate the vegetable foundation for approximately 60 seconds.
4. Reunite the cooked beef with the vegetable mixture, then incorporate the shredded cabbage, tomatoes with their natural juices, robust beef broth, and a harmonious blend of herbs and spices including basil, oregano, smoked paprika, seasoning agents, and a solitary bay leaf.
5. Elevate the liquid to a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Envelop the pot and allow the ingredients to meld and tenderize for roughly 25 minutes.
6. During the final moments of cooking, introduce diced zucchini to provide additional textural complexity and nutritional depth.
7. Extract the bay leaf, calibrate the seasoning through careful tasting, and present the soup piping hot. Optional: Embellish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finishing touch.

Notes

• Customize the soup’s spiciness by adding red pepper flakes or hot sauce for those who enjoy a kick.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, leaner version suitable for different dietary preferences.
• Enhance nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for increased vitamins and fiber.
• Boost protein content and texture by stirring in cooked quinoa or beans during the last few minutes of simmering.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg