A delicious homemade cabbage soup made with tender cabbage, ground beef, carrots, tomatoes, and flavorful broth. This cozy, budget-friendly meal is perfect for a family dinner, especially on chilly days.
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 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, undrained
  • 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, for garnish
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice, optional, for finishing
    Instructions
    Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
    Wash and chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces. Dice the onion, slice the carrots, chop the celery, and mince the garlic.

Set everything aside before cooking.
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, until browned and fully cooked.

Drain excess grease if necessary.
Step 3: Cook the Vegetables
Add the diced onion, carrots, and 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 is too dry, add a little olive oil.
Step 4: Add Seasonings
Stir in the Italian seasoning, paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce if using.

Mix everything together so the ground beef and vegetables are evenly coated 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 well.

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

Stir gently to combine.

The cabbage may initially look like a lot, 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 simple green salad.

Enjoy this comforting homemade ground beef and cabbage soup!
Nut Information

  • Contains tree nuts: No
  • Contains peanuts: No
  • Nut ingredients: None
  • Potential nut allergens: Check the labels of beef broth, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings for allergen statements or cross-contact warnings.
  • Gluten information: Naturally gluten-free when all broth, sauces, and seasonings are verified gluten-free.
  • Dairy information: Dairy-free when prepared with the listed ingredients.
  • Allergen note: This recipe does not intentionally contain nuts, but packaged ingredients may have allergen or cross-contact risks. Always check labels if cooking for someone with a food allergy.
    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 estimates and will vary depending on the fat content of the ground beef, broth, and brands used.
    Recipe Q&A
    Q1: Can I make this soup ahead of time?

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

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

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

Q3: Can I add potatoes to this soup?

Yes. Add 1–2 medium diced potatoes along with the broth. Simmer until the potatoes are tender.

Q4: Can I make this soup spicy?

Yes. Add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or a little hot sauce to give it a spicy kick.

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?

Allow it to simmer uncovered for the last 10 minutes. You can also mash a few cooked potatoes into the broth if you added them.

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

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

Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the cabbage and vegetables are tender.

Q8: How should I store leftovers?

Allow the soup to cool slightly, then transfer it to airtight containers.

Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.

Q9: Can I freeze ground beef and cabbage soup?

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

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly.

Q10: 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 it is not carb-free or automatically keto-friendly.

Q11: 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 packaged ingredients and adjust according to your individual dietary needs.

Q12: Can I use red cabbage instead of green cabbage?

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

Q13: What can I serve with this soup?

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

Q14: 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.
Helpful Tips

  • Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease.
  • Cut the cabbage into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
  • For extra flavor, brown the beef well before adding the vegetables.
  • Add more broth if you prefer a thinner soup.
  • For a richer tomato flavor, add an extra tablespoon of tomato paste.
  • Taste before serving and adjust seasonings.
  • For food safety, refrigerate leftovers promptly and reheat until steaming hot throughout.