Description
Hearty Polish Cabbage Roll Soup delivers comfort with classic Eastern European flavors, blending tender meat, rice, and cabbage in a rich tomato broth. Warm spices and traditional ingredients invite you to savor a bowl of nostalgic, soul-satisfying cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound ground beef (90% lean)
Vegetables:
- 4 cups green cabbage, coarsely chopped
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 carrots, peeled, quartered, and sliced
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
Liquid and Seasonings:
- 4 cups beef broth
- 3 cans (8 ounces / 240 milliliters each) tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup uncooked long-grain rice
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sear the ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat, breaking it into crumbly pieces and developing a rich, golden-brown exterior.
- Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until they release their aromatic essence and become translucent.
- Incorporate shredded cabbage and julienned carrots into the meat mixture, creating a vibrant and textured base for the soup.
- Pour beef broth and tomato sauce into the pot, infusing the ingredients with deep, savory flavors.
- Sprinkle uncooked rice into the liquid, which will gradually absorb the surrounding broth and become tender during cooking.
- Enhance the soup’s complexity by adding a bay leaf and a touch of brown sugar, balancing the savory notes with a subtle sweetness.
- Allow the soup to gently simmer, stirring periodically to prevent rice from sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Monitor the liquid’s consistency and rice’s texture, cooking until the grains are soft and the vegetables are perfectly tender.
- Extract the bay leaf, which has imparted its delicate flavor throughout the cooking process.
- Ladle the piping hot soup into serving bowls and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a bright, herbal finish.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, leaner protein option that keeps the soup’s hearty texture.
- Enhance nutrition by adding extra vegetables like diced zucchini or spinach, which blend seamlessly into the soup’s rich flavor profile.
- Use cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice for a low-carb version that maintains the soup’s satisfying consistency and reduces overall calories.
- Prepare the soup in advance and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, allowing flavors to develop and intensify for an even more delicious meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg