Quick & Hearty Spicy Cabbage and Beef Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

Spicy cabbage and beef soup elevates ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary adventure.

Robust flavors dance through this hearty meal, promising comfort with every savory spoonful.

Winter’s harsh edges soften when this rich soup arrives at your table, filling the kitchen with tantalizing aromas.

Bold spices weave through tender beef and crisp cabbage, creating a symphony of taste that awakens dormant senses.

Each ingredient contributes its unique character to a recipe that feels both familiar and exciting.

Home cooks with minimal skills can craft this delectable dish effortlessly.

Prepare to fall in love with a soup that warms from the inside out.

Tips for Perfecting This Flavor-Packed Soup

• Maximize Meat Flavor: Brown ground beef thoroughly to develop rich, deep flavors and eliminate excess fat before adding to the slow cooker.
• Slice Cabbage Strategically: Cut cabbage into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
• Boost Seasoning Punch: Crush bouillon cubes directly into the soup for more intense and concentrated flavor distribution.
• Layer Ingredients Smartly: Place vegetables on the bottom and meat on top to prevent burning and promote better heat circulation in the slow cooker.
• Control Spice Level: Adjust the heat by selecting mild or hot Rotel tomatoes, or by adding extra green chiles for more kick.

Best Way to Store and Reheat Spicy Cabbage and Beef Soup

• Refrigerate: Store leftover soup in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain optimal flavor quality.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and label with the date. Properly stored soup will remain delicious for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator. Pour soup into a saucepan and warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly. For microwave reheating, use a microwave-safe dish and stir every 30 seconds to ensure consistent temperature. Always check that the soup reaches 165°F to guarantee food safety and enjoy its rich, spicy flavors just like when first prepared.

What to Serve with Spicy Cabbage and Beef Soup

• Boost Flavor with Bold Red Wine: Pair this hearty soup with a spicy Zinfandel or robust Syrah to complement the beef's richness and cut through the soup's spicy undertones.
• Cool Down with Tangy Cornbread: Serve a slice of warm, slightly sweet cornbread alongside the soup to balance the heat and provide a delightful textural contrast.
• Refresh with Crisp Cucumber Salad: Create a light, cool cucumber salad with fresh dill and a touch of vinegar to offset the soup's warmth and add a refreshing element to the meal.
• Enhance with Garlic Herb Crackers: Sprinkle some crispy garlic and herb-seasoned crackers on top or serve on the side to add extra crunch and aromatic depth to the soup experience.

Easy Ways to Reinvent This Soup with a Twist

• Harvest Hearty Soup: Replace ground beef with diced lamb for a rich, rustic flavor profile that brings warmth to the table.
• Mediterranean Fusion Bowl: Swap beef for ground turkey and add oregano, basil, and a splash of red wine to create a Mediterranean-inspired soup with bright, aromatic notes.
• Vegetarian Power Pot: Substitute beef with protein-packed lentils or quinoa, introducing extra nutrients and maintaining the soup's robust texture while keeping it completely plant-based.
• Spicy Korean-Style Brew: Incorporate gochujang paste, replace Rotel with kimchi, and use Korean chili flakes to transform the soup into a bold, zesty Korean-inspired version with deep, complex flavors.

Why Spicy Cabbage and Beef Soup Packs a Punch

• Boost Energy Effortlessly: Packed with 18g of protein and only 250 calories, this hearty soup delivers powerful nutrition without weighing you down, making it perfect for active individuals seeking a balanced meal.
• Simplify Cooking Technique: Using a slow cooker transforms complex flavors while minimizing active preparation time, allowing busy home cooks to create a delicious meal with minimal hands-on effort and maximum convenience.
• Spice Up Your Comfort Zone: Rotel tomatoes with green chiles add unexpected heat and zesty complexity, transforming traditional cabbage soup into a bold, exciting dish that breaks away from bland, predictable recipes and keeps taste buds dancing.
• Wholesome Wellness in a Bowl: Loaded with fiber-rich vegetables and lean ground beef, this soup provides a nutrient-dense meal that supports digestive health, muscle recovery, and satisfies hunger without unnecessary processed ingredients.

What Goes Into This Hearty, Spicy Soup

Main Ingredients:

Ground Beef: Hearty protein that adds rich flavor and substance to the soup, choose lean ground beef for a healthier option.

Cabbage: Fresh and crunchy vegetable that provides texture and nutrition, select a firm and crisp head with bright green leaves.

Onion: Aromatic base that builds depth of flavor, pick a fresh onion with no soft spots or bruising.

Canned and Liquid Ingredients:

Crushed Tomatoes: Smooth base that adds rich tomato flavor and helps create soup consistency, choose high-quality canned tomatoes.

Rotel Tomatoes: Spicy tomato blend with green chiles that introduces heat and complexity, select original or mild version based on preference.

Water: Essential liquid for creating soup volume and helping ingredients meld together.

Bouillon Cubes: Concentrated flavor enhancer that adds saltiness and depth, choose low-sodium version for better control of salt content.

Seasonings:

Seasonings: Blend of spices that elevates overall taste profile, select fresh and potent spices for maximum flavor impact.

How to Make Spicy Cabbage and Beef Soup from Scratch

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Crumble ground beef into the pan and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until fully cooked and no pink remains.

Step 2: Prepare Vegetables

While beef cooks, chop cabbage and onion into bite-sized pieces. Efficient chopping saves time and keeps your cooking area organized.

Step 3: Layer Ingredients in Slow Cooker

Transfer chopped vegetables to a 6-quart slow cooker. Spread the browned beef evenly over the vegetables.

Step 4: Add Flavorful Liquid and Seasonings

• Crushed tomatoes
• Rotel tomatoes with green chiles
• Water
• Crumbled bouillon cubes
• Seasonings of your choice (such as garlic powder, black pepper, or dried herbs)

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

• LOW setting: Cook for 6 to 8 hours
• HIGH setting: Cook for 4 to 5 hours

Cook until vegetables are tender and flavors have melded together.

Tip: The longer the soup cooks, the more intense the flavors become. Serve hot and enjoy the hearty, spicy goodness!

Spicy Cabbage and Beef Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Korean-inspired Spicy Cabbage and Beef Soup delivers rich, comforting flavors that dance with bold spices and tender meat. Warm, satisfying spoonfuls promise a delicious journey through Korean culinary traditions you’ll savor to the last drop.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef

Vegetables and Tomatoes:

• 6 cups (1.4 liters) chopped cabbage, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 15 ounces (425 grams) crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 10 ounces (283 grams) Rotel tomatoes and green chiles (canned)

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 1 and ⅓ cups (315 milliliters) water
• 2 beef bouillon cubes, crumbled
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly brown ground beef in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, meticulously breaking the meat into small, uniform crumbles using a wooden spoon until no pink remains.
2. Simultaneously prepare cabbage and onion by washing and chopping into consistent, bite-sized pieces to optimize meal preparation efficiency.
3. Gently transfer the freshly chopped vegetables into a 6-quart (5.7 liters) slow cooker, creating an even base layer for the meat.
4. Carefully distribute the fully cooked ground beef over the vegetable foundation, ensuring an even distribution throughout the cooking vessel.
5. Pour crushed tomatoes and Rotel tomatoes with green chiles into the slow cooker, creating a rich, vibrant liquid base for the soup.
6. Add water (approximately or 480 milliliters), crumble beef bouillon cubes completely to dissolve, and sprinkle seasonings to develop a deep, complex flavor profile.
7. Secure the slow cooker lid tightly and set to LOW temperature for 6 to 8 hours, or alternatively use HIGH temperature for 4 to 5 hours until vegetables become tender and flavors meld harmoniously.
8. Once cooking is complete, stir the soup gently to integrate all ingredients and adjust seasoning if needed before serving hot.

Notes

• Prep like a pro by chopping veggies while browning beef to maximize kitchen efficiency.
• Slow cooking transforms humble ingredients into a robust, warming meal bursting with hearty flavors.
• Layer ingredients strategically to ensure even cooking and deep, melded taste profiles.
• Bouillon cubes pack concentrated umami punch, elevating the soup’s overall savoriness.
• Flexible cooking times accommodate busy schedules without compromising delicious results.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg