Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup

If you’ve ever made classic cabbage rolls from scratch, you already know the truth: they’re not hard, exactly… they’re just a lot. A lot of blanching. A lot of peeling cabbage leaves without tearing them. A lot of rolling little bundles that look adorable until you realize you’ve been standing at the counter for forty-five minutes and you still have half the filling left.

And don’t get me wrong—I love cabbage rolls. I love them the way you love a fancy outfit you only wear when you have the patience to deal with zippers and straps. They’re worth it… just not on a random Tuesday when you’re tired and it’s cold outside and everyone is hungry right now.

That’s where this slow cooker cabbage roll soup comes in. It has all those familiar flavors—savory beef, tender cabbage, tomatoey broth, and rice that soaks up every bit of goodness—without the whole “assembly line” situation. You brown the meat, toss everything in the slow cooker, and let it simmer into something that tastes like it’s been cared for all day.

Which it has. You just didn’t have to babysit it.

This soup has become a cold-weather staple at my house. It’s the kind of meal that makes the kitchen smell like comfort. Like you did something wholesome and responsible even if you’re still in your slippers. And it reheats beautifully, so I always make enough to stash away for lunches—or for that one evening later in the week when cooking feels like a personal attack.

Why You’ll Love This Soup

• Classic cabbage roll flavor with zero rolling

• Hearty and balanced: beef + cabbage + carrots + rice all in one bowl

• Set-it-and-forget-it energy: the slow cooker handles the heavy lifting

• Great for meal prep: leftovers taste even better the next day

• Freezer-friendly: easy to portion and stash for later

• Made with everyday ingredients: nothing fancy, but it tastes like you tried

Ingredient Notes (and the “you’ve got options” section)

Here’s the thing: this soup is forgiving. You can tweak it based on what you have, what you like, or what your grocery store decided to be out of that day. (Why is it always the one thing you actually need?)

Ground beef

I like lean ground beef because it keeps the soup rich without turning the broth greasy. If you use a higher-fat beef, just drain it well after browning.

Easy swaps:

• Ground turkey or chicken (lighter, still tasty)

• Ground pork (a little richer—very cozy)

• Plant-based ground “beef” (works fine in soup)

Cabbage

Regular green cabbage is perfect. Chop it into rough chunks—nothing precious. It softens down and gives you that cabbage roll texture without any fuss.

Tip: If your cabbage feels huge, don’t panic. Cabbage shrinks a lot as it cooks. What looks like “too much” at first usually turns into “just right.”

Carrots

Carrots add sweetness and color, and they balance the acidity from tomatoes. I slice them into half-moons so they cook evenly.

Swap: parsnips are great here if you want a slightly earthier sweetness.

Beef broth

Beef broth gives you that savory backbone. If you only have stock cubes or Better Than Bouillon, that works too—just taste at the end and adjust salt.

Swap: chicken broth works in a pinch. The soup will still be delicious, just a touch lighter.

Tomatoes + tomato sauce

This is where the “cabbage roll” personality comes from. I like diced tomatoes + tomato sauce because you get texture and a smooth, rich base.

Optional add-in: a tablespoon of tomato paste for deeper flavor, especially if your tomato sauce is mild.

Uncooked white rice

The rice cooking right in the soup is convenient and it thickens the broth slightly. It’s cozy. It’s practical. It’s doing a lot.

Important note: Rice keeps absorbing liquid as it sits. That means leftovers will thicken. Not a problem—just add a splash of broth when reheating.

Swap:

• Brown rice (but it takes longer—plan on more cooking time)

• Quinoa (cooks faster)

• Cauliflower rice (add near the end so it doesn’t turn mushy)

Brown sugar + Worcestershire

I know. Brown sugar in soup sounds like something you’d side-eye. But it’s not making the soup sweet—it’s rounding out the tomato acidity. The Worcestershire adds that savory “something” you can’t quite name, and together they make the flavors feel finished.

Swap ideas:

• A drizzle of honey instead of brown sugar

• A splash of balsamic vinegar if you don’t have Worcestershire (different, but still good)

Seasonings

Paprika, thyme, bay leaf—simple and classic.

Optional extras:

• A pinch of red pepper flakes for warmth

• A little smoked paprika for a deeper, cozy note

• Fresh parsley at the end to brighten everything up

Step-by-Step: Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup

1) Brown the meat

In a large skillet, cook 1 pound of ground beef over medium heat. Break it up as it cooks.

When it’s browned, drain off excess grease. Don’t skip draining if your beef is fatty—otherwise your soup can get a little heavy, and not in the good “winter comfort” way.

2) Sauté onion and garlic

In the same skillet (hello, less cleanup), sauté:

• 1 diced onion

• 2–3 cloves minced garlic

Cook for a few minutes until the onion is soft and the garlic smells amazing. This step is small, but it builds flavor in a way that “raw onion in the slow cooker” never quite does.

3) Load up the slow cooker

Transfer the beef mixture to the slow cooker. Then add:

• 4 cups chopped cabbage

• 2–3 sliced carrots

• 4 cups beef broth

• 1 can diced tomatoes (with juice)

• 1 can tomato sauce

Then stir in:

• ¼ cup uncooked white rice

• 1 tbsp brown sugar

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire

• 1 tsp paprika

• ½ tsp dried thyme

• 1 bay leaf

4) Stir and settle

Give everything a good stir so the rice and seasonings aren’t clumped in one corner. Make sure the cabbage is mostly tucked under the liquid—doesn’t have to be perfect. It’ll soften down.

5) Cook low and slow

Cover and cook:

• LOW for 6–7 hours, or

• HIGH for 3–4 hours

You’re looking for tender cabbage and fully cooked rice. The soup should smell like it’s been simmering on a stove all day—because it basically has.

6) Final touches

Fish out the bay leaf. Taste, then add salt and pepper as needed.

If you want to be fancy (or just want it to look pretty), sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.

Serving Ideas (From Classic to “Trust Me on This”)

This soup can absolutely be dinner all by itself, but sides make it feel extra cozy.

• Crusty bread or rolls: perfect for soaking up the tomato broth

• A crisp green salad: something fresh helps balance the richness

• Mashed potatoes: sounds strange, tastes incredible—try a scoop right in the bowl

• A little sour cream on top: not traditional, but really good (especially if you like tang)

Honestly, if you’re eating this in your pajamas with a big spoon and nobody’s asking you questions? That’s living.

Variations (Because Real Life Isn’t One-Recipe-Fits-All)

Lighter version

Use ground turkey and chicken broth. Keep the Worcestershire and seasonings the same—those do a lot of the heavy lifting.

Vegetarian version

Skip the meat, use veggie broth, and bulk it up with:

• mushrooms (for savory depth)

• zucchini (add halfway through so it doesn’t disappear)

• white beans (for protein and “hearty” vibes)

Spicy version

Add red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or a diced jalapeño. You can also use peppery sausage instead of ground beef for a bigger kick.

Low-carb version

Leave out the rice and add extra cabbage, or stir in cauliflower rice near the end (last 20–30 minutes on low). If you add it too early, it can go soft in a sad way.

Herb-forward version

Stir in fresh dill or basil right before serving. Dill especially gives it that old-school comfort feel, like something from a well-loved family recipe box.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating (So Leftovers Stay Delicious)

Refrigerate

Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Reheat

• Stovetop: simmer gently until hot

• Microwave: 1–2 minute bursts, stirring in between

If it thickens up (it will), add a splash of broth or water. The rice keeps absorbing liquid, which is both a blessing and a mild inconvenience. Mostly a blessing.

Freeze

Freeze in individual portions, leaving space for expansion. It’s perfect for grab-and-go lunches.

One little pro tip: If you’re making this specifically for freezing, you can cook the rice separately and add it when serving. That keeps the rice from getting too soft after thawing. But if you don’t feel like doing that, don’t. It’ll still taste great.

Warm Final Thoughts

This slow cooker cabbage roll soup is one of those recipes that sneaks into your regular rotation because it’s so dependable. It tastes like the kind of meal someone made for you when you needed comfort—savory, hearty, and familiar in the best way. It’s got that “grandma would approve” feeling, but without the hours of rolling and arranging.

If you try it, I’d love to hear what you changed. Did you swap the meat? Add extra garlic? Go bold with spicy sausage? And please tell me if you did the mashed potato-in-the-bowl thing—because I swear it sounds odd until you taste it.

Leave a comment with your twist or questions. I’m always happy to troubleshoot soup season with you.

Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup

All the cozy, hearty flavors of traditional cabbage rolls — without the work. This slow cooker soup is a comforting, tomato-rich blend of tender cabbage, savory ground beef, and soft rice. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it meal that fills your kitchen with incredible aroma and your bowl with satisfying goodness. Perfect for cold days or easy meal prep.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 hours hrs

Total Time 7 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Comfort Food, Freezer-Friendly, One-Pot Meals, Soup, Weeknight Dinners

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 330 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 lb ground beef lean preferred
• 1 medium onion diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 4 cups green cabbage chopped
• 2 carrots sliced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz, with juice
• 1 can tomato sauce 15 oz
• ¼ cup white rice uncooked
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease.
• Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened.
• Transfer the beef, onion, and garlic to a slow cooker. Add chopped cabbage and sliced carrots.
• Pour in beef broth, diced tomatoes (with juice), and tomato sauce.
• Stir in uncooked rice, brown sugar, Worcestershire, paprika, thyme, and bay leaf.
• Mix everything together well. Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours.
• Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust salt and pepper before serving.
• Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Swap ground beef for turkey or mushrooms for a lighter or vegetarian twist. Add red pepper flakes for heat or cauliflower rice for low-carb variation.

Nutrition

Calories: 330kcal

Keyword cabbage roll soup, cozy meals, easy soup, ground beef, slow cooker

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