All of the flavor of homemade cabbage rolls without the hard work of rolling them. This Cabbage Roll Soup recipe hits the spot every time!
I really didn’t mean to post two soup recipes in the same week, but we’re nearing the end of soup season and we all need to get our kicks while we can.
Let me tell you about what is going on in the world of me today.
I’m writing this at my desk which faces a window looking out across the neighbor’s acreage. It’s about this time of day that I usually see my very special friend, a gigantic grey coyote who likes to trot around our house and completely anger our dog.
Sure enough, I saw him stalk by just a few minutes ago, followed by the sound of several rifle shots being fired by the neighbor. I imagine the neighbor is trying to protect his chickens, but I will seriously be distressed if I never see that big dog again.
Sighting him has become part of my daily ritual. In the early morning, it’s the geese flying in onto the pond.
If it’s foggy, I usually see an enormous heron pottering around on the island like a prehistoric relic.
Around lunch time I see the coyote, then the mallards and wood ducks show themselves in the afternoon.
Just before dusk, the nutria makes his way across the pond and disappears underwater to wherever it is he calls home.
We’ve lived here two months now and I’ve gotten used to watching these daily happenings.
The coyote reminds me that it is lunch time! I don’t have any chickens, so his presence doesn’t bother me one bit. I wish the neighbor wouldn’t try to kill him.
Yeah…. so that’s what’s going on in my world today. Operation save the coyote is underway!
It’s a completely gorgeous spring day, and cabbage roll soup is definitely on the menu.
When I started writing this post it occurred to me that this is the very first Russian-inspired recipe I’ve ever posted on the blog. How is that even possible!? Well, anyway, I think you are going to love this Russian recipe for cabbage roll soup.
I’m pretty sure I’m the last person on the planet to catch up with the latest season of House of Cards, but all of the drama with the Russian President (and all of the vodka drinking) has piqued my interest in the motherland. I think I just might have to add a trip to Moscow to my never-ending bucket list.
Until such a time when I can up my vodka-drinking game to experience Moscow the right way, I’ll stick with helping myself to a bowl of this cabbage roll soup to assuage my wanderlust.
The beauty is that is an easy cabbage roll soup recipe! Enjoy!
Easy Russian Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion - about 1 medium onion
- 1 cup diced carrots - about 2 medium carrots
- 3 tablespoons minced garlic
- 4 cups chopped green cabbage - about half of one head
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 14 ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes
- 3/4 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the ground beef and brown evenly for 2 minutes. Drain excess fat if desired.
- Add the onion and carrot to the pot; saute for 5 minutes to soften. Add the garlic and cabbage to the pot, along with the diced tomatoes and chicken broth.
- Stir the rice into the pot and add the paprika, bay leaf, and salt. Allow the soup to come to a boil, then turn the heat down to low and place a lid on the pot. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until the rice is cooked and the cabbage is softened.
- Stir in the sugar, Worcestershire, and vinegar. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve garnished with fresh parsley.
NOTES

One of my families’ favorite soups. Sometimes I use barley, brown rice or quiona to switch it up. Thanks for a great recipe
Hi Donna,
I’m happy you love it and thanks for sharing how you switch it up!
– Linda
Made this for my weekly meal prep. I used a bit more than a pound of ground beef. Quinoa instead of rice. And 2C beef broth 4C vegetable broth. Will eat it all week and add a bit of sour cream on top
Can I add sourcroute to this instead of vinegar ? and add a can of instant rice at the end, and let it simmer on low for a bit?
Cat, give it a try and let us know how it works out.
Wonderful soup! I went meatless in the slow cooker added rice and vinegar last. Also added 2 teaspoons of “better than bouillon”. Better the second day.
Yum! Have you ever tried this in the slow cooker? Probably still wait until the end to add sugar, Worcestershire, and vinegar, right?
I haven’t tried it, but yes, I’d wait until the end to add those ingredients 🙂
I found this on Pinterest, and I made it for my family! THEY LOVED IT! I will be definitely making this again soon! thanks for the recipe!
I love hearing this, Kristin!! So glad you and your family like it 🙂
This sounds and looks delicious! I just printed the recipe off and look forward to making it. Thanks for the recipe!
This cabbage soup will definitely be part of my menu for spring. This looks really amazing. It’s perfect with all the flavors and less work in the preparation.
I think it’s about time I made another pot 🙂
This cabbage soup recipe looks great. I love stuffed cabbage but it’s time consuming to make. Looking forward to trying this soup. Thanks
I’m so glad you like it, Lyn!
Gigantic? Is it a wolf?
https://www.californiawolfcenter.org/learn/comparing-wolves-and-coyotes/
I wondered, but we actually haven’t had wolves here in Oregon in decades! He’s about the size of a Labrador.
Love this soup. Thank you Anetta and have a great Sunday! If you have a dog make sure you are out with him when taking him out.
Absolutely, Liz! Odin can’t be trusted on his own, anyway. He’s always on a leash!
Your intro line is real seller. All the flavors without the work. Yay! I love soup and I love cabbage rolls. So this worked for me. The picture sealed the deal!
I don’t normally talk about ME, but please make note of the slight name change from Wild Goose Tea.
New web design too—whoopee and am adding new features along the way.
Thanks, Carol! Love your new design – it looks great!