When the temperature drops or your day needs a reset, few meals hit the spot like a steaming bowl of homemade cabbage soup. This version adds rich ground beef for extra heartiness, making it a complete and filling meal. It’s the kind of dish that warms you from the inside out, packed with simple, honest ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen.
Cabbage is often underestimated, but when simmered slowly with tomatoes, onions, and savory seasonings, it becomes tender, flavorful, and comforting. The addition of ground beef brings in protein and satisfying texture, while the natural sweetness of stewed tomatoes balances everything out beautifully. Whether you’re cooking for a family or meal-prepping for the week, this soup stretches easily and gets even better after a day in the fridge.
Not only is this recipe affordable and nourishing, but it’s also highly flexible. Feel free to toss in some extra veggies, switch up the spices, or use a plant-based ground alternative. This is a no-fuss, one-pot wonder that’s guaranteed to become a repeat favorite in your household.
📝 Ingredients (shuffled for variety and ease)
- 1–2 lbs ground beef
- 1 bunch celery, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 packet dry onion soup mix (or equivalent homemade seasoning)
- 2 small onions, diced
- Optional spices: garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, red pepper flakes
- 2 cans (14.5 oz each) stewed tomatoes, with juice
- Water (enough to fill the pot halfway)
- 1 large head of cabbage, chopped
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Simmer the Veggies:
Fill a large soup pot about halfway with water and bring to a boil. Add chopped cabbage, celery, onions, and stewed tomatoes with their juice. Stir well and bring down to a simmer.
2. Brown the Meat:
In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until fully browned. Drain excess fat and set aside.
3. Combine & Season:
Add the cooked ground beef to your vegetable pot. Stir in the onion soup mix and your choice of spices—garlic powder for depth, Italian seasoning for aroma, or a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
4. Simmer & Serve:
Allow the soup to simmer for about 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage and other vegetables are tender and flavors meld together. Serve hot with a slice of crusty bread or crackers on the side.
🥗 Nutrition & Dietary Notes
This soup is high in fiber from the cabbage and celery, and offers a generous dose of protein thanks to the ground beef. Tomatoes provide a healthy hit of antioxidants. You can reduce sodium by using a low-sodium soup mix or making your own. For a lighter version, consider lean ground turkey or a plant-based meat substitute. It’s naturally gluten-free as long as the soup mix is gluten-free.
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