This 21 Day Fix Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup is so quick and easy to make in your Instant Pot or Stovetop! Using a lean protein of your choice, fire roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, and fresh cabbage, you can get all the yummy flavors of stuffed cabbage, with much less effort!
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This post was originally published in February of 2016, but is being republished with pretty new photos and Instant Pot directions!
Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup
Guys – I really think this recipe for unstuffed cabbage roll soup is a hidden gem on my blog. It’s flavorful, good for you, quick, and so hearty and filling. I was inspired to create this soup because as much as I like stuffed cabbage, I love the idea of unstuffed cabbage. If you’ve ever enjoyed a good cabbage roll, you’re going to be obsessed with this easy cabbage roll soup!
When the weather outside is crazy cold (which is basically all the time right now) I turn to this soup for comfort. I love that it’s super quick, low carb, and chock full of veggie goodness.
Love soup? You have to try my super popular Chicken Tortilla Soup or my Instant Pot Low Carb Stuffed Pepper Soup. If you are looking for a slow cooker soup, check out this Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup, perfect for those busy nights where you need something warm to come home to!
And if you want a veggie packed soup without the meat, check out this Chickpea Soup from Happy Healthy Mama.
Health Benefits of Cabbage
- Cabbage is jam packed with nutrients! Just to name a few – Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Folate and Manganese are all in a head of cabbage.
- You know what else is found in cabbage? Antioxidants! Say goodbye to inflammation.
- Cabbage is also a great source of fiber, which is fantastic for your digestive system.
Ingredients for Healthy Cabbage Roll Soup
- grass fed lean ground sirloin – While sirloin is my favorite to use in this recipe, you can also use lean chicken sausage instead or ground chicken/turkey instead.
- onion – I use chopped white onion in my soup, but red or yellow onion works too.
- cabbage – When you pick your cabbage at the grocery store, reach for one that has firm leaves. If the leaves have begun to shrivel or change color from green to yellow, that cabbage is going bad.
- chicken broth or stock – As always, organic and low sodium is the way to go!
- pepper – Freshly ground black pepper adds the perfect amount of flavor.
- Himalayan salt – Be careful – a little goes a very long way with this already flavorful soup recipe.
- oregano – Personally, I don’t think any soup recipe is complete without a dash of this herb!
- diced tomatoes – I’ve found that using a can of fire roasted tomatoes gives this soup the BEST flavor.
- tomato sauce – You only need one small can of this ingredient to thicken the soup to perfection.
- garlic – I use 2 cloves, but if you’re a huge garlic lover, feel free to add more!
- fresh basil – Fresh basil leaves will provide way more flavor than dried!
- shredded Monterey Jack cheese – Best. Topping. EVER!
- cooking spray – Any spray will do! I use avocado spray.
How to Make Delicious Stovetop Cabbage Soup
1. In a large soup pot, brown the beef on medium high heat.
2. Stir in the chopped onions and cook until they’re translucent and the beef is cooked through. Then, add the garlic and cook for an additional minute. Drain and discard the fat.
3. Add the cabbage, tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, and dried spices and bring to a boil. Next, reduce the heat and cover for 30 minutes. Simmer the soup until the cabbage is tender.
4. Garnish with fresh basil and top with cheese, if desired. Enjoy!
Is there a way I can make this in my Instant Pot?
Absolutely! Just jump to the instructions at the bottom of this post for the easy to follow Instant Pot steps. It’s even easier than the traditional stovetop method!
How long will this cabbage soup stay fresh?
In an airtight container in the fridge, this delicious soup will stay fresh for up to 3 days. The best part? It actually reheats wonderfully in the microwave, making this the perfect lunch for the next day!
I also love freezing this soup in my Souper Cubes for a no-yellow lunch or dinner option!
Lately, I just can’t get enough soup. Here are more of my tried and true tasty soup recipes!
Loaded Potato and Cauliflower Soup
Cabbage Roll Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb grass fed lean ground sirloin lean chicken sausage, or ground chicken | turkey
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1/2 large or 1 small head of cabbage chopped
- 3 cups low sodium organic chicken broth or stock
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Himalayan salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes (I used fire roasted) 1 can
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- Fresh basil for garnish
- 2/3 cup shredded monterrey jack cheese optional
- Cooking spray
Instructions
Stovetop:
- In a large soup pot, brown beef on medium high heat.
- Stir in chopped onions and cook until onions are translucent and beef is cooked through. Add garlic and cook an additional minute. Drain and discard fat.
- Add cabbage, tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, and dried spices and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover for 30 minutes. Simmer until cabbage is tender.
- Garnish with fresh basil and top with cheese, if desired!
Instant Pot:
- Set pot to saute, spray with cooking spray, then brown beef.
- Stir in chopped onions and cook until onions are translucent and beef is cooked through. Add garlic and cook an additional minute. Drain and discard fat.
- Add cabbage, tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, and dried spices. Cover and lock IP. Set to manual for ten minutes. After cook time is up, do a 10 minute natural release (if you have the time), then quick release the rest of the pressure.
- Garnish with fresh basil and top with cheese, if desired!
Notes
Nutrition
Chelsea says
Easy and delicious. This makes more than 4 servings. I portioned it into 4 servings and could barely finish my bowl it was SO big. I see the serving size is 1.5 cups but I got about 10 cups of soup. I split up the rest of the portions into smaller servings. I’d say this makes 6 servings unless you are a big eater. This is so filling for not having any starchy carbs. I would definitely make this recipe again.
Carrie Dunning says
This is one of our most favorite soups and I made again this evening for dinner. My husband said no less than 8 times during the meal “mmmm, this is so good” and then a couple times “thank you so much for making this, it’s perfect. It’s hearty, has great flavor, and isn’t greasy or anything.” We love it! Definitely in our regular rotation over here!
Nancylynn says
This made my day! Thank you for taking the time to rate the recipe and comment!
Amy says
I made this tonight & it was AMAZING!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Nancylynn says
this made my day ❤️
Monica says
I love this recipe! So good!! Its delicious and a great way to get veggies in. Comes together very easily too.
Nancylynn says
Thank you Monica!
Rebecca says
I am in the UK, when you say tomato sauce, what do you mean and also do you use white or green cabbage? Thank you
Nancylynn says
Hi! I’m referring to a tomato sauce in a can, such as this one- https://www.hunts.com/tomato-sauce-and-paste/tomato-sauce . The brand doesn’t matter, but that is the type of product. And either green or white cabbage will both work! Thanks for asking.
Justin says
This is one of my favorite recipes from your site, and I’ve tried a lot! Family thinks something is wrong with me, because I literally get CRAVINGS for some wilty soft cabbage. That’s when this soup comes into play! Whole family loves it.
Recipe is perfect as is! But tonight I tried something new… I still needed to get in some carbs so I cooked the veggies 15 minutes. Then I made some meatballs with ground turkey and some raw rice and added them in for the last 15 minutes. YUMM
Nancylynn says
OOOH great tip! Thank you for sharing!
Jessica says
Do you know the calories and macros of this?
Nancylynn says
I just added the nutrition info to the recipe card! 🙂 Thank you for your patience as we slowly update recipes with this info!
christina anderson says
Do you have a measurement for the sauce? 8 oz?
Nancylynn says
If that’s what you have, that will work!
Carol says
I used chicken sausage as my protein and let me tell you….. it was a HUGE hit with my family! This meal was delicious and satisfying! Thank you Nancy! Your recipes have greatly contributed to our healthy eating resolutions. We appreciate all you do! Thank you!
Nancylynn says
Thank you soooo much! This is everything!
Amy says
I love this soup!! Is it freezer friendly?
Jocelyn says
I cannot get enough of this recipe. It’s so tasty, and convenient and easy for me to take for lunch. Thanks so much!
Nancylynn says
Ahhh!! Thank you SO much, Jocelyn!! You made my day!! 💕
Liz says
Can you make this in a crock pot?
Erika says
thanks so much! 🙂
Erika says
How many servings does this recipe make? (pretty please!)
Nancylynn says
4 servings – 1 1/2 each 🙂
Erika says
thanks so much! 🙂
Nancylynn says
So welcome!!
Anna says
How much tomato sauce?
Nancylynn says
One small can.
Anna says
Thank you! I cannot wait to make this tonight.
Nancylynn says
Let me know what you think!! You are so welcome!!
christina anderson says
Do you have a measurement for the sauce? 8 oz?
Nancylynn says
Hi! Either a 10 oz or 14 oz can will both work 🙂
nancy says
can you do this recipe in an instant pot???
Nancylynn says
Yes! Just saute your meat in the pot, the add the onions and garlic and saute a bit more. Add the remaining ingredients and turn to manual for 12 minutes. Quick release!
Jill says
I though tomatoes were considered a purple???
Nancylynn says
They are green! Yay!
Kelley Joss says
I love 2 green recipes! Can’t wait to try it!!