Hearty Ground Beef and Cabbage Soup
Affiliate disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See our Privacy Policy for details HERE.
This soup is pure comfort in a bowl. It is warm, filling, and just the kind of meal that makes a long day feel a little easier. I love how it brings together simple, everyday ingredients and turns them into something hearty enough for the whole family. Best of all, it tastes like it simmered all afternoon, even though it comes together in about an hour.
The flavor starts with 1 lb ground beef, then builds with green bell pepper, yellow onion, carrots, celery, garlic, tomato paste, potatoes, diced tomatoes, cabbage, and bouillon. Because of that mix, you get a rich, savory broth with sweet vegetables, tender potatoes, and soft cabbage in every spoonful. The garlic and herb seasoning gives it a cozy depth, while the optional Cajun seasoning adds a little extra kick if you want it.
This ground beef and cabbage soup is easy to make, too. First, you brown the meat in a Dutch oven. Then, you sauté the vegetables, stir in the tomato paste, add the potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, and broth, and let everything simmer until tender. Since the steps are simple, this is a great recipe for busy weeknights, and it does not ask for fancy cooking skills.
It is especially nice on chilly nights, but honestly, it works any time you want a comforting, budget-friendly meal. It is also a smart choice for meal prep, family dinners, or sharing with neighbors and friends. So, if you like soups that are hearty, easy, and full of homey flavor, this one deserves a spot on your table.
Why You’ll Love This Hearty Ground Beef and Cabbage Soup
- It uses simple ingredients you can find in most grocery stores.
- It is filling and affordable, which makes it great for family meals.
- It has a comfort food flavor with beef, vegetables, potatoes, and broth.
- It is easy to make in one pot, so cleanup stays simple.
- It works well for meal prep, leftovers, and busy weeknights.
Ground Beef Tips
For the best ground beef and cabbage soup, choose ground beef that is not too lean, such as 80/20 or 85/15. That gives the soup more flavor, and it also helps the broth taste richer. If you use a leaner meat, you may want to add a little extra seasoning or a small splash of oil when browning. Also, be sure to break the beef into small crumbles as it cooks, so it blends well with the vegetables and makes each bite easy to eat.
Options for Substitutions
- Use ground turkey, ground chicken, or venison instead of ground beef.
- Swap the green bell pepper for red, orange, or yellow bell pepper.
- Replace russet potatoes with Yukon Gold potatoes or even sweet potatoes.
- Use low-sodium broth if you want to control the salt more closely.
- Swap Knorr beef bouillon for chicken bouillon if that is what you have.
- Add a handful of green beans, corn, or peas if you want more vegetables.
Watch Out for These Mistakes
One common mistake is overcooking the cabbage. It does need time to soften, but if it cooks too long, it can turn mushy and lose that nice texture. So, once the potatoes and cabbage are tender, stop the simmer and move to serving.
Another issue is underseasoning the soup. Since cabbage, potatoes, and tomatoes are fairly mild, the broth needs enough salt, pepper, and seasoning to taste lively. Therefore, always taste at the end and adjust slowly. You can add more, but you cannot take it out.
Also, be careful not to skip browning the ground beef. That step adds a lot of flavor to the soup base. If you rush through it, the soup can taste flat, so let the meat cook fully before adding the vegetables.
Finally, do not add the cabbage and broth too early before the potatoes and tomato paste have had a chance to combine. The flavors build in layers, and that little bit of order matters. Because of that, the soup tastes deeper and more balanced when each step is done in sequence.
What to Serve With Hearty Ground Beef and Cabbage Soup?
This ground beef and cabbage soup is filling on its own, but it also pairs nicely with a few simple sides. A slice of crusty bread or warm dinner rolls works well for soaking up the broth. In addition, a basic green salad adds a fresh crunch that balances the rich soup. If you want something extra cozy, serve it with cornbread or buttered crackers. For a fuller meal, you could also add a grilled cheese sandwich or a simple fruit salad on the side.
Storage Instructions
Store: Let the soup cool a little, then place it in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze: This soup freezes well for up to 3 months. For best results, cool it fully first, then freeze in portions. If you can, leave a little space at the top of the container because the soup will expand a bit.
Reheat: For the stovetop, warm the soup in a pot over medium heat until hot, stirring now and then. For the microwave, heat it in a microwave-safe bowl in short intervals, stirring between each one, until warmed through. If the soup gets too thick after storage, add a splash of broth or water.
Recipe Info
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 8 servings
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
Calories: about 1,800 to 2,100 total
Protein: about 110 to 140 grams total
Fat: about 70 to 95 grams total
Carbohydrates: about 140 to 180 grams total
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or another ground meat such as chicken, turkey or venison
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery ribs, sliced
- 2 tbsp garlic and herb seasoning
- 1 tsp Slap Ya Mama seasoning, or another Cajun seasoning (optional)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 head green cabbage, chopped
- 1 heaping tbsp Knorr beef bouillon plus 4 cups water (or 4 cups beef or chicken broth)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat, then add the ground beef. Cook it until it is browned and no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. If there is extra fat in the pot, you can drain some of it off, but leave a little behind for flavor.
Step 2: Cook the Vegetables
Add the diced bell pepper, onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Season with the garlic and herb seasoning, Cajun seasoning if you are using it, and black pepper. Stir and sauté until the vegetables start to soften. This step builds the base flavor of the soup.
Step 3: Add Tomato Paste and Potatoes
Stir in the tomato paste and cook it for a couple of minutes. Then add the potatoes and mix well so they are coated with the seasoned beef mixture. After that, add the diced tomatoes and minced garlic, and stir everything together.
Step 4: Add the Cabbage and Broth
Add the chopped cabbage to the pot. It may look like too much at first, but it will shrink as it cooks. If needed, add it in batches. Then stir in the bouillon and water or broth. Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat.
Step 5: Simmer Until Tender
Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the potatoes and cabbage are tender. Stir now and then so nothing sticks to the bottom. When the vegetables are done, taste the broth and add salt and pepper as needed.
Step 6: Serve Hot
Ladle the soup into bowls and serve it while it is hot. If you like, add a piece of bread, crackers, or a simple salad on the side. The soup is filling on its own, but a good side can make the meal feel complete.
Conclusion
This Hearty Ground Beef and Cabbage Soup is the kind of recipe that makes dinner easy and satisfying. It brings together ground beef, cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, and vegetables in one cozy pot, and it is simple enough for any home cook to make with confidence. Plus, it is budget-friendly, filling, and great for leftovers.
If you are looking for a warm meal that feels homemade and comforting, give this soup a try. Then come back and share how it turned out, or explore more cozy soup recipes for your next family meal.
Hearty Ground Beef and Cabbage Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat, then add the ground beef. Cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add the diced bell pepper, onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Season with garlic and herb seasoning, Cajun seasoning (if using), and black pepper. Stir and sauté until vegetables start to soften.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for a couple of minutes. Add the potatoes and mix well to coat with the seasoned beef mixture.
- Add the diced tomatoes and minced garlic, stirring to combine.
- Add the chopped cabbage to the pot, stirring in batches if necessary. Then stir in the bouillon and water or broth. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat.
- Cover the pot and let the soup simmer for about 30 minutes or until the potatoes and cabbage are tender. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot with a side of bread, crackers, or salad.
