Hearty, Homemade, and Comforting One-Pot Dinner

This Ground Beef and Cabbage Soup is a delicious, hearty, and comforting homemade meal made with tender cabbage, savory ground beef, carrots, celery, tomatoes, and flavorful beef broth. It’s an easy one-pot recipe packed with delicious flavors, perfect for family dinners, meal prep, and cozy evenings.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
Total Time: 50–55 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Dinner, Soup
Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
For the Soup

  • 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
  • 1 medium green cabbage, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz / 410 g) diced tomatoes, with juices
  • 1 can (8 oz / 227 g) tomato sauce
  • 6 cups (1.4 liters) beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, if needed
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, optional
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice, optional
    Instructions
    Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
    Wash and prepare all the vegetables.

Chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces, dice the onion, slice the carrots, chop the celery, and mince the garlic.

Set everything aside.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
Heat a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat.

Add the ground beef and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon.

Cook until the beef is browned and no longer pink.

Drain any excess grease if necessary.
Step 3: Cook the Vegetables
Add the diced onion, sliced carrots, and chopped celery to the pot.

Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

If the pot becomes too dry, add a little olive oil.
Step 4: Add the Seasonings
Stir in the Italian seasoning, paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce if using.

Mix well to coat the ground beef and vegetables with the seasonings.
Step 5: Add Tomatoes and Broth
Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato sauce, and beef broth.

Add the bay leaf and stir everything together.

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Step 6: Add the Cabbage
Add the chopped cabbage to the pot.

Stir gently to combine with the ground beef, vegetables, tomatoes, and broth.

The cabbage may initially fill the pot, but it will soften and reduce in volume as it cooks.
Step 7: Simmer the Soup
Reduce the heat to medium-low.

Cover partially with a lid and simmer for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Cook until the cabbage is tender, the carrots are soft, and the flavors have blended together.

For softer cabbage, simmer for an additional 5–10 minutes.
Step 8: Adjust the Flavor
Remove the bay leaf.

Taste the soup and adjust the salt, pepper, or seasonings as needed.

Add a little lemon juice if desired to brighten the flavor.
Step 9: Serve
Ladle the hot soup into bowls.

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley.

Serve warm with crusty bread, crackers, or a fresh green salad.

Enjoy this delicious, hearty, homemade Ground Beef and Cabbage Soup.
Nut Information
Contains Tree Nuts: No
Contains Peanuts: No
Nut Ingredients: None
Nut-Free Recipe: Yes, when prepared with verified ingredients
Dairy-Free: Yes, with the listed ingredients
Gluten-Free: Can be gluten-free when using verified gluten-free broth, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings.
Allergen Information
This recipe does not intentionally contain peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, or eggs.

However, packaged ingredients such as beef broth, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoning blends may contain allergens or cross-contact warnings.

Always check ingredient labels carefully, especially when preparing food for someone with a nut allergy.

For a nut allergy, use ingredients labeled appropriately for the individual’s allergy requirements.
Estimated Nutrition Information
Per serving, based on 6 servings:

Calories: 280–350
Protein: 20–25 g
Carbohydrates: 18–25 g
Fat: 13–18 g
Fiber: 4–6 g
Sugar: 7–10 g

Nutrition values are approximate and depend on the ground beef fat percentage, broth, vegetables, and serving size.
Recipe Tips

  • Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease.
  • Brown the beef thoroughly for a richer flavor.
  • Cut the cabbage into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
  • Add extra beef broth if you prefer a thinner soup.
  • For a deeper tomato flavor, add 1 tablespoon of tomato paste.
  • Add red pepper flakes for a spicy version.
  • Use fresh parsley for a fresh, flavorful finish.
  • For a lower-sodium version, use low-sodium beef broth and reduce or omit added salt.
  • Taste the soup before serving and adjust the seasonings.
    Recipe Variations
    Ground Turkey and Cabbage Soup
    Replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter variation.
    Spicy Ground Beef Cabbage Soup
    Add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce for extra heat.
    Ground Beef and Potato Cabbage Soup
    Add 1–2 medium diced potatoes along with the broth. Simmer until the potatoes are tender.
    Slow Cooker Ground Beef and Cabbage Soup
    Brown the ground beef first. Add the beef, vegetables, tomatoes, broth, and seasonings to the slow cooker.

Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the vegetables are tender.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days.

Freezer: Freeze in airtight, freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months for best quality.

Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until steaming hot throughout. Add a little broth if the soup has thickened.

Food Safety: Refrigerate leftovers promptly and avoid leaving the soup at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Recipe Q&A
Q1: Can I make Ground Beef and Cabbage Soup ahead of time?

Yes. This soup is excellent for meal prep. The flavors develop even more after sitting overnight in the refrigerator.

Q2: Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

Absolutely. Ground turkey or ground chicken works well as a substitute. You may need a little olive oil to prevent the meat from drying out.

Q3: Can I use red cabbage instead of green cabbage?

Yes. Red cabbage works well, although it may give the soup a darker color and slightly different flavor.

Q4: Can I add potatoes to this soup?

Yes. Add diced potatoes along with the broth and simmer until tender.

Q5: Can I use chicken broth instead of beef broth?

Yes. Chicken broth works perfectly and gives the soup a slightly lighter flavor.

Q6: How do I make the soup thicker?

Simmer uncovered for the last 10 minutes to allow some liquid to evaporate. You can also mash a few cooked potatoes into the broth if you added them.

Q7: Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

Yes. Brown the ground beef first, then add the ingredients to the slow cooker.

Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.

Q8: Can I freeze Ground Beef and Cabbage Soup?

Yes. Allow the soup to cool slightly, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers.

Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.

Q9: Is this soup low-carb?

It can fit into a moderate-carb or lower-carb eating plan, depending on portion size and ingredients. Cabbage and carrots contain carbohydrates, so this recipe is not carb-free or automatically keto-friendly.

Q10: Is this recipe suitable for a low-sodium diet?

It can be adapted by using low-sodium beef broth, no-salt-added tomatoes, and reducing or omitting added salt.

Check the labels of packaged ingredients and adjust according to your individual dietary needs.

Q11: What can I serve with this soup?

Serve with crusty bread, garlic toast, crackers, a fresh green salad, or roasted vegetables.

Q12: How do I know when the soup is ready?

The cabbage should be tender, the carrots should be soft, and the broth should taste rich and well-seasoned. The ground beef should be fully cooked.

Q13: Can I make this soup without tomato sauce?

Yes. You can replace the tomato sauce with additional diced tomatoes and a little extra broth. The flavor will be less concentrated.

Q14: Can I make this soup spicy?

Yes. Add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to your preferred level of heat.

Q15: Can I use frozen cabbage?

Yes. Frozen cabbage can be used, although its texture may be softer after cooking. Add it directly to the soup and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Q16: Is this soup gluten-free?

The basic ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but packaged broth, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings should be checked carefully.

Q17: Is this recipe dairy-free?

Yes. The listed ingredients do not contain dairy. Check packaged ingredients for possible dairy allergens.

Q18: Can I make this soup with less oil?

Yes. If using lean ground beef, you may not need any additional oil.

Q19: How can I make the soup more flavorful?

Brown the beef well, sauté the vegetables, use good-quality broth, and allow the soup to simmer long enough for the flavors to develop.

Q20: Can I add other vegetables?

Yes. Green beans, zucchini, bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms can be added to the soup.
Final Recipe Description
This Ground Beef and Cabbage Soup is a comforting, flavorful, and easy homemade dinner made with simple ingredients. Tender cabbage, savory ground beef, fresh vegetables, and rich tomato broth come together in one pot to create a satisfying meal the whole family will enjoy.

It’s perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, chilly evenings, and anyone who loves hearty homemade soup.

Save this recipe for your next cozy dinner.