Savory Beef and Cabbage Soup Recipe: Comfort in a Bowl

Winters call for comforting bowls of warmth, and this hearty beef and cabbage soup delivers pure comfort in every spoonful.

Packed with tender beef chunks and vibrant vegetables, the soup simmers with rich, robust flavors that warm you from the inside out.

cabbage adds a delightful texture and subtle sweetness to this classic recipe.

Robust beef broth creates a deep, satisfying base that makes each bite more tempting than the last.

Perfectly seasoned and loaded with hearty ingredients, this soup turns a simple meal into a luxurious experience.

Ladle up a bowl and savor the delicious blend of wholesome ingredients that promise to chase away the chilliest days.

Let’s find out this soul-satisfying soup that transforms ordinary dinnertime into a memorable culinary moment.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 7

Storing and Reheating This Soup the Right Way

• Fridge Fresh Keeping: Store this hearty soup in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Cool completely before refrigerating to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
• Freezer Batch Strategy: Pack soup in freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Freeze for 2-3 months, ensuring maximum taste retention when sealed tightly.
• Reheating Magic: Thaw overnight in refrigerator, then warm gently on stovetop. Add splash of broth if soup seems thick, stirring occasionally to prevent bottom burning.
• Smart Portioning: Divide soup into individual meal-sized containers for quick grab-and-go lunches. Label with date and contents to track freshness and enjoy convenient meal prep.

What Goes Into Hearty Beef and Cabbage Soup

• Roast Beef: Premium cut with marbling ensures tender, rich flavor and juicy texture. Choose well-marbled beef like chuck roast for maximum succulence.
• Beef Broth: Provides deep, savory foundation for soup. Select low-sodium varieties to control salt content and enhance natural meat flavors.
• Olive Oil: Helps sear beef, creating delicious caramelized exterior and sealing in moisture. Use extra virgin for best quality.
• Tomato Paste: Adds robust depth and slight tanginess, helping develop complex flavor profile. Look for concentrated, deep red paste.
• Salt and Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that enhance beef's natural taste. Use freshly ground black pepper for maximum aroma.

• Cabbage: Hearty vegetable adding texture and subtle sweetness. Select fresh, crisp heads with tight, bright green leaves.
• Leeks: Provides mild, onion-like flavor with delicate sweetness. Thoroughly wash to remove hidden dirt between layers.
• Celery: Contributes fresh, slightly peppery undertone and aromatic base. Choose crisp stalks with vibrant green color.
• Carrots: Brings natural sweetness and beautiful orange color. Pick firm, bright orange carrots without blemishes.
• Garlic: Intensifies overall flavor with pungent, warming notes. Fresh cloves offer strongest taste.

• Tomato Sauce: Adds rich, tangy undertone and helps thicken soup. Choose high-quality, pure tomato sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Delivers complex, umami depth with subtle tanginess. Provides unexpected flavor complexity.

Soup-Making Tools to Make This Easy

• Stockpot: Large, heavy-bottomed pot perfect for slow-cooking and building deep flavors.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp blade for precise cutting of beef and chopping vegetables.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for safely preparing ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon: Essential for stirring and scraping browned bits from pot bottom.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately season the soup with salt, pepper, and herbs.
• Tongs: Helpful for turning and handling beef chunks during browning process.

How to Make a Rich Cabbage and Beef Broth

• Beef Preparation

Brown tender meat chunks in hot oil, creating a rich golden crust. Develop deep flavors by searing each piece carefully. Allow meat to become tender through slow cooking, creating melt-in-your-mouth texture.

• Vegetable Foundation

Chop colorful garden vegetables into delicate pieces. Sauté until they release their natural sweetness and become slightly translucent. Garlic adds a warm, aromatic depth to the mixture.

• Soup Assembly

Combine meat, vegetables, and savory liquid in a large pot. Let ingredients mingle and marry their flavors through gentle simmering. Cabbage provides a hearty, rustic element that transforms the soup into a comforting meal. Adjust seasonings to enhance the overall taste profile.

• Final Touch

Allow soup to rest briefly before serving. This waiting period helps flavors blend and intensify. Serve in deep bowls that showcase the rich, hearty nature of this classic comfort dish.

Flavor Enhancers and Add-Ins for Extra Warmth

• Master the art of browning beef for deep, rich flavor that transforms this simple soup into a restaurant-worthy dish.
• Replace cabbage with kale, Brussels sprouts, or Swiss chard for a nutritious twist that keeps the soup's hearty character intact.
• Transfer browned beef, vegetables, and liquids to a slow cooker, then cook on low for 6-8 hours for tender meat and hassle-free preparation.
• Kick the flavor profile by adding smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, or a dash of cayenne for those who love a subtle heat in their comfort food.
• This soup tastes even better the next day as flavors meld, making it perfect for meal prep and freezing in individual portions for quick future meals.

Serving Tips for Comfort-Style Cabbage Soup

• Rustic Comfort Plating: Serve this hearty soup in large, deep ceramic bowls that showcase its rich, colorful layers. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for a bright green contrast against the deep brown broth.
• Bread Pairing Perfection: Accompany the soup with crusty sourdough or rustic rye bread. Toasted slices can be rubbed with garlic and drizzled with olive oil for extra flavor that complements the beef's richness.
• Warming Winter Meal: Create a complete dinner by adding a simple side salad with mixed greens and a tangy vinaigrette. The fresh, light salad will balance the soup's robust and meaty profile, offering a delightful contrast in textures and temperatures.
• Garnish Glow-Up: Top each serving with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt. Sprinkle some crispy bacon bits or toasted breadcrumbs for an extra layer of crunch and depth that elevates the entire dish's sensory experience.

Wholesome Beef and Cabbage Soup Recipe

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4.5 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Rustic hearty beef and cabbage soup combines robust flavors from Central European kitchens. Warm ingredients simmer together, creating a nourishing meal that connects you with traditional comfort and wholesome cooking.

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Ingredients

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• 2.5 lbs (1.13 kg) roast beef, with marbleized fat, cut into 2–3 inch chunks
• 1 medium cabbage (about 10 cups), chopped
• 7–8 cups lower-sodium beef broth, including reserved broth
• 5–6 cups water and lower-sodium beef broth mixture (half water, half packaged broth)
• 4 carrots (about 3 cups), chopped
• 15 oz (425 g) tomato sauce
• 2 leeks (light green and white parts only, about 2 cups), chopped
• 3 tbsps tomato paste
• 3 tbsps olive oil
• 2 stalks celery (about 1 cup), chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tsp thyme
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Trim fat from beef roast, pat dry, and cut into 1-inch chunks. Season generously with salt and pepper.
2. Browning Process: Heat olive oil in stockpot over medium-high heat. Brown meat in batches, creating a rich golden crust on each piece to develop deep flavor complexity.
3. Liquid Foundation: Deglaze pot with tomato paste and beef broth, scraping up caramelized bits. Return meat to pot, cover, and simmer 1.5-2.5 hours until meat becomes exceptionally tender and easily shredded.
4. Vegetable Sauté: In same stockpot, sauté leeks, celery, carrots, and thyme. Add garlic during final moments to prevent burning and release aromatic essence. Cook for 4-5 minutes until vegetables become slightly softened.
5. Soup Assembly: Incorporate tomato sauce, reserved cooking liquid, chopped cabbage, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaves. Simmer 15-20 minutes until cabbage turns tender and translucent.
6. Final Touches: Reintroduce shredded beef to soup, gently stirring to combine. Remove bay leaves, adjust seasonings, and serve in warm bowls, ensuring a harmonious blend of robust meat, tender vegetables, and rich broth.

Notes

• Meat Selection Matters: Choose a well-marbled beef roast for maximum flavor and tenderness, ensuring a rich and satisfying soup experience.
• Browning Technique Crucial: Patience during meat browning creates deep, caramelized flavors that form the soup’s flavor foundation.
• Liquid Gold Preservation: Reserving cooking liquid intensifies the soup’s depth and ensures no flavor is lost during preparation.
• Cabbage Cooking Wisdom: Monitor cabbage closely to prevent overcooking, keeping it tender yet slightly crisp for optimal texture and nutritional value.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: European

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg