Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup [Video]

Name: Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 480 min
Total time: 510 min
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef (80/20); 1 onion (diced); 4 cloves garlic (minced); 1 teaspoon dried rosemary; 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning herbs; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 4 cups coarsely chopped green cabbage; 1 carrot (peeled and diced); 1 red bell pepper (diced); 4 cups beef broth (low-sodium); 1 can 14-ounce tomato sauce; 1 can 14-ounce diced tomatoes; 1/2 cup white long-grain rice (uncooked); 1 bay leaf; 3 tablespoons brown sugar; 2 tablespoons parsley (chopped)

Recipe Video Print

I love the rich flavors of traditional cabbage rolls, but I don’t always have the time to make them. That’s why this slow cooker cabbage roll soup is my go-to easy alternative when I crave a no-fuss, cozy dinner that delivers all the authentic flavors but takes only 20 minutes to prep.

a ladle of slow cooker cabbage roll soup with ground meat

This hearty and flavorful soup is a rich and comforting meal. The tender cabbages and rice soak up the delicious broth, resembling traditional cabbage rolls, but with minimal prep and hands-on time. Pair it with fluffy 30-minute dinner rolls, and you will have an effortless and satisfying dinner.

Why you will love this recipe
What you will need
How to make
Expert tip
Recipe variations and add-ins:
Serving suggestions:
How to store leftovers:
Frequently asked questions
More homemade cabbage recipes:

This recipe is my favorite set-it-and-forget-it meal. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, meal prep, or feeding a crowd. The soup is packed with wholesome ingredients, making it the ideal choice when I want something warm and nourishing that tastes like it has been simmering on the stovetop all day.

two bowls of homemade slow cooker cabbage roll soup

Why you will love this recipe

The slow cooker does all the work: I love letting the slow cooker do all the work for me. I brown the ground beef first to give it a caramelized crust. This makes it extra flavorful and seals in the juices. Then, I dump everything else in and let it cook all day.
No side dishes are needed: I don’t need to make any other side dishes because this soup includes many vegetables and grains. This can be a complete meal for the whole family.
It freezes well, too: Double this recipe for 12 servings! I like to make extra and put it into quart-size freezer bags to serve as snacks or lunches. They can be laid flat in the freezer and do not take up any room.
This is a versatile soup. I can also add different vegetables or remove things that picky people do not like as needed.

What you will need

slow cooker cabbage roll soup ingredients in bowls on a table

Ground beef – I find that ground chuck 80/20 is best for this soup. It is delicious because it is still fatty enough to have plenty of flavor, but since I drain the grease, that is not a problem.
White long-grain rice – Long-grain rice stays separate from the others because it has light and fluffy individual grains. It is also less starchy than short-grain rice.
Veggies – This soup is packed with wholesome veggies like cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, canned diced tomatoes, onion, and garlic.
Broth – I use a combination of low-sodium beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, canned San Marzano diced tomato, tomato paste, and tomato sauce. I specifically chose San Marzano tomatoes because they are not that acidic.
Seasoning – I season the soup with dried herbs like rosemary, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf. I also add brown sugar to balance the acidity of the tomato products.

How to make

Brown the beef: First, I brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until it is no longer pink. Then, I drain the grease and add the meat to the slow cooker.

browning ground beef in a cast iron skillet

Cover and cook: I add the rest of the ingredients, cover, and cook the soup for eight hours on low or four hours on high. I prefer to cook it as long as possible because it is more flavorful that way.

cabbage roll soup ingredients in the slow cooker

Serve it hot: Finally, I remove the bay leaf and serve the soup.

overhead shot of cabbage roll soup made in the crockpot

Expert tip

Getting the best head of cabbage

Finding the best head of cabbage for soup is not difficult. I look for a firm cabbage that is heavy for its size with tightly packed crisp leaves. The leaves should not be yellow, wilted, blemished, or loose. It should not feel squishy when gently squeezed. Make sure there are no bruises or soft spots. It should be a nice, solid ball. A healthy stem will be dry and not shriveled up without cracks or mold. If there are any strange odors or sliminess, do not buy it.

More tips to consider

Browning the beef is optional. But if you aren’t going to, use lean ground beef so the soup is not too greasy.
Also, remember that not browning the beef will cause it to lose a lot of flavor. Searing the meat caramelizes it, locks in the juices, and makes a delicious crust that adds depth to the taste.
Not slicing the cabbage until ready to use can keep it fresh for up to two months.
Also, do not wash the cabbage; keep it in a plastic bag in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer.
Be sure to rinse the rice properly so it does not clump while cooking.
For a lighter soup, leave out the rice, which will still be delicious.

A bowl of homemade slow cooker cabbage roll soup garnished with chopped parsley

Recipe variations and add-ins:

Add bacon: I love to add bacon to this, and when I do, I fry it first, using the grease to brown the ground beef. This adds the flavor to the entire dish.
More veggies: To give it an even greater veggie boost, I like to add portabella mushrooms, green beans, sweet corn, zucchini, and baby red potatoes.
Fewer carbs: Instead of rice, use my low-carb cauliflower rice to make this soup with fewer carbs.
Healthier meat: I use ground chicken or turkey for a leaner soup. It still tastes incredible with all of the other flavors.
Cajun cabbage soup: Sometimes, I use Cajun seasoning or Taco seasoning instead of Italian to give this delicious soup a spicy southern flavor.
Instant Pot: If you are pressed for time, I recommend this pressure cooker version—the Easy Instant Pot Cabbage Roll Soup recipe. In less than 30 minutes, you have a hearty soup ready.

close macro shot of hearty slow cooker cabbage roll in a bowl

Serving suggestions:

My kids love it when I serve it in these delicious bread bowls. They are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and easy to make. If I don’t use the bread bowls, I can serve this soup with any crusty bread or make my buttery homemade breadsticks. The kids love dipping these into the soup.

My favorite wines to serve with this soup are red Bourgogne, Chianti Classico, German Riesling, and Rose Bordeaux. I like to have a light arugula salad on the side to have room for these sweet slow cooker-baked apples or rich and luscious white chocolate crème brulee. It looks fancy and decadent, but it is easy to make with my recipe.

How to store leftovers:

Refrigerate: I save my leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week. I use a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid or a glass food storage container. I dislike using my plastic containers because they can become stained from tomato paste.
Freezing: To keep my soup longer, I prefer using freezer bags. A large gallon-sized freezer bag is suitable for a regular portion, but if I want to save it for individual portions, I put it into quart-sized baggies. They lay flat in the freezer, so they take up little room and stay fresh for up to three months.
Defrost: Thaw overnight in the fridge for the best taste and texture.
Reheating: If I am reheating a whole batch, I like to reheat mine in a pot on the stove for a few minutes, but for an individual portion, I use the microwave.

a bowl of homemade slow cooker cabbage roll soup with ground meat

Frequently asked questions

Why is my slow cooker cabbage roll soup bitter?

It could be the cabbage itself. I highly recommend checking the taste of the cabbage before adding it to the soup. Also, read my tips on getting the best cabbage head in the Expert Tip section above. If the cabbage is bitter, the whole batch of soup will taste bad. It may also be from overcooking it, so check the time. I usually check my soup about an hour before it is ready to ensure it is not being overcooked.

Why is my slow cooker cabbage roll soup sour?

This can happen with too much tomato paste or too many diced tomatoes. It causes an imbalanced acidity base that makes it sour. Add a teaspoon of sugar or honey, which should help. Another problem may be that the soup simmered too long. The bacteria in the cabbage could have produced too much lactic acid, resulting in a sour taste. Remove some of the cabbage and add a pinch of baking soda. If that doesn’t help, add a ½ cup of beef broth and stir well. This can help immensely.

Why is my rice sticking in my soup?

Using long-grain rice, as I call for in my recipe, should prevent the rice from sticking together when cooking. However, sometimes, white rice has excess starch that makes it clump. Rinse the rice properly before adding it to the soup. There may be too much rice compared to the amount of liquid. Be sure to measure carefully. My recipe calls for ½ cups of rice.

More homemade cabbage recipes:

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