Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup
9 Comments Jul 15, 2024
Updated Jul 14, 2025
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Making cabbage rolls can be time-consuming, so we love to make slow cooker cabbage roll soup instead! It still has the beef, tomato, and cabbage flavors but with half the effort.
My popular recipe for slow cooker cabbage rolls just got easier! There is no need to boil the cabbage. The main prep work is browning the beef, which is easy. I like to chop the vegetables while that cooks.
There is something special about the combination of beef, tomato, and cabbage that can’t be beat. I know you’ll enjoy this crockpot cabbage roll soup recipe as much as we do. My family loves Slow Cooker Lasagna and Slow Cooker Lazy Lasagna as well for special dinners.
Key Ingredients
Cabbage: This is the star of the show. You will need 4 cups of chopped cabbage. This may seem like a lot, but this will cook down. Have leftover cabbage?
Ground Beef: You will want to brown the beef for the best texture.
Beef Broth: The base of the soup.
Diced Tomatoes and Tomato Sauce: Combine to add the recipe’s tomato flavor. Together with the seasonings below, it’s a perfect combination.
Other Vegetables: Red bell pepper, garlic, and onion are classic vegetables for this soup.
Seasonings: Salt, pepper, oregano, and paprika.
Rice: Instant rice, like the brand Minute Rice is best.
How to make Cabbage Soup in the Crockpot
- Brown the beef with onion and garlic, then transfer to the slow cooker with all remaining ingredients except the rice.
- Cover and cook on low until the cabbage softens and the soup tastes unified.
- Stir in the Minute rice for a brief final cook, give the soup a quick stir, and it’s ready.
Substitution Tips
Different Tomatoes: Instead of the canned tomatoes, you can use tomato soup OR V8 vegetable juice.
Meat Swap: Ground turkey or ground chicken can be used instead of beef, but it won’t be as flavorful.
Other vegetables, such as celery, carrots, or green beans, can be added.
Cauliflower rice can be used to make more low carb- just add 2 cups.
How to Serve Cabbage Roll Soup
Shaved parmesan cheese (or cheddar cheese), crumbled bacon, freshly ground pepper, and/or sour cream are perfect topping ideas. If you like spice, add a touch of your favorite hot sauce.
We often top our unstuffed cabbage roll soup with croutons or crushed saltine crackers.
Some serve the soup OVER cooked rice instead of adding it to the slow cooker.
French bread, slices of rye bread with butter, or garlic bread sticks always make wonderful sides for any soup. You can even make slow cooker cornbread as a side option.
Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chopped cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrot
- 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes
- 8 oz. can tomato sauce
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. salt , to taste
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- ½ cup uncooked Minute brand rice
- chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium high heat, cook the ground beef until browned and no longer pink. Add in the chopped onion, and minced garlic, saute until the onion has softened and is translucent.
- Transfer the cooked beef, onion, and garlic to the slow cooker. Add in the diced bell pepper, chopped cabbage, shredded carrots, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. (WAIT TO ADD THE RICE).
- Stir all the ingredients together in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 6 hours. Add the minute rice and stir. Cook for 45 minutes longer.
- Ladle and serve the cabbage roll soup in bowls, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, enjoy!
Sarah’s Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
My Other Favorite Cabbage Recipes
Slow Cooker Cabbage and Weight Loss Soup lighten up any menu with minimal effort.
Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup delivers cozy tradition, while tangy Slow Cooker Red Cabbage makes a bright side.
Corned Beef and Cabbage, Slow Cooker Cabbage and Kielbasa, and Chicken and Cabbage round out the lineup with hearty comfort.
What is one serving considered
I don’t have a measurement, I apologize. The serving size is just and estimate.
Can I prep this in advance the night before?
Yes that will work fine with this recipe.
great soup
Can I use potato’s in place of rice?
Yes, that will work great!
As to rice, you can use the instant cups of Minute Rice. Many flavors and just takes one minute in the microwave to heat. No pots, pans, measuring or adding liquid. These cups are the quickest thing I’ve ever made. I also use them for home stir fry meals.. They’re portioned just right. As a variation for this soup, you can use mashed potatoes and just use the main items (no or limited liquid) and put the cabbage and meat over the mashed potatoes. Just serves as a substitute for the rice.
Great tips! Thank you.