Easy Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup
Introduction
If you’re looking for a warm and hearty meal that requires minimal effort, then Easy Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup is the perfect recipe for you. This dish brings together all the flavors of traditional cabbage rolls without the hassle of rolling each one individually. Just let your slow cooker do all the work for you while you go about your day!
Why Make This Recipe
This recipe is not only simple to prepare, but it’s also packed with flavor. It’s a wonderful way to incorporate vegetables and lean protein into your family meals. Plus, slow cooker soups are perfect for busy days — you can prepare everything in the morning and come home to a delicious dinner waiting for you.
How to Make Easy Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef (80–90% lean)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 4 cups chopped green cabbage (about 1/2 of a medium head)
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced (optional)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup uncooked white rice
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1–1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1–2 teaspoons brown sugar (optional)
- 1 bay leaf
- Chopped fresh parsley, for serving (optional)
- Sour cream, for serving (optional)
Directions:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is softened, about 6–8 minutes. Drain off excess fat if needed.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the chopped cabbage and diced carrot to the bottom of a slow cooker. Spoon the browned beef and onion mixture over the top.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Stir gently to combine.
- Add the uncooked rice, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, dried oregano, paprika, salt, pepper, brown sugar (if using), and bay leaf. Stir again.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the cabbage is tender and the rice is cooked through.
- Adjust the consistency if needed by adding more broth or water. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
- Remove the bay leaf, ladle the soup into bowls, and serve with fresh parsley and sour cream if desired.
How to Serve Easy Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup
Serve this delicious soup warm in bowls. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor. A dollop of sour cream on top makes it even creamier and adds a nice richness to the soup.
How to Store Easy Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup
Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Just make sure to let it cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers.
Tips to Make Easy Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for extra nutrition.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, swap the ground beef for plant-based meat or omit it entirely and add more beans or lentils.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to taste.
Variation
You can easily customize this dish by using different kinds of meat, such as ground turkey or chicken. You could also turn this soup into a smoother texture by using an immersion blender after cooking, if you prefer.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen cabbage in this recipe? Yes, you can use frozen cabbage. Just make sure to thaw and drain it before adding it to the slow cooker to prevent excess water in the soup.
2. How can I adjust the cooking time? If you’re short on time, you can cook it on HIGH for 3–4 hours instead of LOW for 6–8 hours. Just make sure the cabbage and rice are tender before serving.
3. Is it possible to make this soup ahead of time? Absolutely! You can prepare the ingredients ahead of time and store them in the fridge. Just add them to the slow cooker in the morning and enjoy a hot meal in the evening.
Easy Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup
Ingredients
Method
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion together until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is softened, about 6–8 minutes. Drain off excess fat if needed.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the chopped cabbage and diced carrot to the bottom of a slow cooker. Spoon the browned beef and onion mixture over the top.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Stir gently to combine.
- Add the uncooked rice, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, dried oregano, paprika, salt, pepper, brown sugar (if using), and bay leaf. Stir again.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the cabbage is tender and the rice is cooked through.
- Remove the bay leaf, ladle the soup into bowls, and serve with fresh parsley and sour cream if desired.
