Hearty Cabbage, Beef & Vegetable Soup – Healthy Comfort Meal
Looking for a healthy, filling, and flavorful soup? This cabbage, beef, and vegetable soup is perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or cozy family meals. Packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins, it’s a low-calorie, nutrient-rich comfort dish everyone will love.
Ingredients (Serves 4-6)
- 1 lb ground beef (or substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups shredded cabbage (about ½ small head)
- 2 medium carrots, sliced or diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 4 cups beef or vegetable broth (beef broth gives rich flavor, vegetable broth makes it lighter)
- 1 cup cooked rice (optional, added at the end)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh thyme)
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1–2 tsp chili flakes for a spicy kick
For garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Sour cream or plain yogurt
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
1. Brown the Meat
- Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the ground beef (or turkey/chicken) and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook 5–7 minutes until vegetables soften.
2. Add Liquids and Spices
- Stir in shredded cabbage, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
- Mix well to dissolve the tomato paste into the broth.
3. Simmer the Soup
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- If using cooked rice, stir it in during the last 5 minutes to heat through.
4. Adjust Seasoning
- Taste and adjust with additional salt, pepper, or chili flakes if desired.
- Remove bay leaf before serving.
5. Serve and Enjoy
- Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley, a dollop of sour cream or yogurt, and a squeeze of lemon for brightness.
- Serve with crusty bread or crackers for a complete meal.
Tips & Benefits
- Healthy swaps: Replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for lean protein.
- Broth matters: Beef broth = rich, hearty flavor. Vegetable broth = lighter, subtle taste.
- Make-ahead: Store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Cabbage may soften after freezing.
- Nutritional boost: Cabbage and carrots add fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants; ground meat adds high-quality protein.
- Meal prep-friendly: Easy to cook in bulk for busy weekdays.
- Spice variation: Add chili flakes or smoked paprika for a warming kick.
- Cabbage soup recipe
- Hearty beef and vegetable soup
- Healthy weeknight dinner soup
- Low-calorie comfort food
- Make-ahead freezer soup
