Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe

The Story in My Soup Pot

My grandma made cabbage rolls every Sunday. It took her all morning. I loved them but I was always so hungry waiting. So I made this soup. It has all the same cozy flavors. But it makes itself while you do other things. I still laugh at that. My shortcut would have amazed her. What’s a family food memory you love? Is it a big holiday dish or a simple weeknight meal? I’d love to hear about it.

Why This Soup Feels Like a Hug

This matters because good food doesn’t have to be hard. This soup is a whole meal in one pot. You get your meat, your veggies, and your rice all together. It’s warm and filling on a cold day. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It fills the whole house with a happy smell. *Fun fact: The bay leaves in this soup are a secret. They don’t make things taste like herbs. Instead, they add a deep, almost flowery background note. Just remember to take them out before you eat!*

Let’s Talk About the Good Stuff Inside

The beef and pork together make the broth rich. The carrots get sweet and soft. The cabbage becomes tender and soaks up the tomato broth. The little bit of brown sugar is my trick. It balances the tomatoes just right. Do you have a favorite soup vegetable? I’m a carrot person, but maybe you love celery or potatoes more.

The Easy Way to Put It Together

First, just brown your meat and onion in a pan. This step builds flavor. Then everything else goes into the slow cooker. Give it a good stir. Now you can walk away for hours. The last thing you do is stir in the cooked rice. This keeps it from getting mushy. This matters because cooking should fit your life. Some days you have time to stir. Other days you need the slow cooker to do the work. Both ways are good cooking.

Make It Your Own

The best recipes are ones you can change. Use all beef if that’s what you have. Try a can of tomato soup instead of tomato paste for extra creaminess. If you don’t have thyme, a sprinkle of oregano works fine. What’s your favorite “swap” in a recipe? Do you change the herbs or the protein? Tell me your best kitchen trick.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Ground beef	1 pound
Ground pork	½ pound
Yellow onion	1 medium	diced
Green cabbage	4 cups	chopped
Carrots	3 medium	peeled and sliced into thin rounds
Crushed tomatoes	1 (28 ounce) can
Diced tomatoes	1 (14.5 ounce) can
Low-sodium beef broth	4 cups
Tomato paste	2 tablespoons
Worcestershire sauce	1 tablespoon
Paprika	1 teaspoon
Dried thyme	1 teaspoon
Salt	1 teaspoon
Black pepper	1 teaspoon
Brown sugar	1 teaspoon
Bay leaves	2
Long grain rice	1 cup	cooked

My Cozy Cabbage Roll Soup, Without All The Rolling!

Hello, my dear! Come sit. Let’s talk about my grandma’s cabbage rolls. They were wonderful, but oh, so much work. One day, I had a happy thought. What if we put all that cozy flavor right into a soup? This is that soup. It has everything you love. Savory meat, sweet carrots, and soft cabbage. It all bubbles together in your slow cooker. Your whole house will smell like a big, warm hug. Doesn’t that sound perfect for a busy day?

Here is how we make our simple, story-filled soup. Follow these steps with me.

Step 1: Grab your big skillet. Crumble in the beef and pork. Add your diced onion too. Cook it all until the meat is brown and the onion is soft. I like to listen for the gentle sizzle. It reminds me of my mom’s kitchen. Drain any extra fat away. (My hard-learned tip: Take your time here. Good browning means more flavor in your soup!)

Step 2: Now, the fun part! Put the meat and onions into your slow cooker. Add the chopped cabbage and carrot rounds. Pour in both cans of tomatoes and the beef broth. Spoon in the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Sprinkle all the spices, salt, pepper, and that little bit of brown sugar over the top. Give it one good, happy stir. Finally, rest the two bay leaves on top like a little decoration.

Step 3: Put the lid on. You can cook it on high for about 3 hours, or low for 5-6. We want those carrots to be tender. The waiting is the hardest part! The smell will make your stomach rumble. What kitchen smell always makes you hungry? Share below!

Step 4: When the carrots are soft, it’s almost time. Stir in your cooked rice. Let it cook for just 15 more minutes. This lets the rice soak up the delicious broth. Then, find those bay leaves and take them out. They’ve done their job. Ladle your soup into big bowls. I still laugh at how easy this is compared to my grandma’s way!

Cook Time: 3–6 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes – 6 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 6 big bowls
Category: Dinner, Soup

Three Fun Twists on Our Soup Story

This soup is like a favorite story. You can tell it a little differently each time. Here are three ways my family likes to change it up. They are all so simple.

The “No-Meat” Meadow: Skip the beef and pork. Use a bag of plant-based crumbles instead. Add a big handful of mushrooms too. It’s so hearty and good.

The “Little Kick” Version: My grandson loves this. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the spices. Or stir in a spoonful of smoky chipotle pepper. It warms you right up.

The “Clean the Fridge” Soup: See a lonely zucchini or bell pepper? Chop it up and add it in! Swap the rice for a can of drained white beans. It’s your soup masterpiece. Which one would you try first? Comment below!

How to Serve Your Soup Masterpiece

This soup is a full meal in a bowl. But I love to add a little something on the side. A thick slice of crusty bread is perfect for dipping. A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette is nice too. For garnish, try a dollop of cool sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh dill. Doesn’t that look pretty?

What to drink? For the grown-ups, a glass of malty brown ale pairs beautifully. For everyone, I love sparkling apple cider. Its sweet fizz is wonderful with the savory soup. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Soup Cozy for Later

This soup keeps beautifully. Let it cool first. Then pop it in the fridge for up to four days. The flavors get even friendlier overnight.

For the freezer, use airtight containers. Leave an inch of space at the top. It will stay happy for three months. I once forgot a batch in my freezer for months. It was still a perfect, easy dinner.

Reheat it gently on the stove. Add a splash of broth if it’s too thick. Batch cooking like this saves your future self. It means a good meal is always waiting. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Soup Hiccups

Is your soup too thin? Let it cook uncovered for a bit. The extra liquid will steam away. This makes the flavors richer and deeper.

Is it not savory enough? Add a little more Worcestershire sauce. I remember when my soup tasted flat. A small splash fixed everything. Taste as you cook, it builds your confidence.

Are the carrots still hard? Just cook the soup a little longer. Good food takes the time it needs. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Soup Questions, Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free?
A: Yes! Use a gluten-free Worcestershire sauce. Check your broth labels too.

Q: Can I make it ahead?
A: Absolutely. Cook the meat and chop the veggies the night before. *Fun fact: This is called “mise en place.” It just means “everything in its place.”*

Q: What if I don’t have ground pork?
A: Use all beef. Or try ground turkey for a lighter version.

Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: For sure, if your slow cooker is big enough. Keep all the ingredient ratios the same.

Q: Any optional add-ins?
A> A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a nice warmth. Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope this soup fills your home with wonderful smells. It is a hug in a bowl. I love seeing your kitchen creations.

Share your story with me. Did your family ask for seconds? Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! I would love to see your photos.

Happy cooking!
—Lena Morales.