Cabbage Soup with Hamburger

Did You Know This One-Pot Meal Can Change Your Weeknight Dinner Game?

What if a bowl of cabbage soup with hamburger could deliver deep, satisfying flavor in under 90 minutes using ingredients you probably already have? Studies show that home-cooked soups are among the top five most searched comfort food recipes, and cabbage soup with hamburger consistently ranks as a reader favorite for good reason. It’s hearty, budget-friendly, and incredibly easy to pull together. Whether you’re feeding a family of four or meal-prepping for the week, this cabbage soup with hamburger recipe hits every mark. Let’s dig in.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you need for this cabbage soup with hamburger recipe. Simple pantry staples, big flavor.

Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef (80/20 blend recommended for flavor)
• ½ head of green cabbage, roughly chopped (about 4–5 cups)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 medium carrots, sliced
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
• 4 cups beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Optional Add-ins:

• 1 cup kidney beans or cannellini beans (adds fiber and protein)
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• A pinch of red pepper flakes for heat

Substitution Notes:

• Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version
• Use vegetable broth to reduce sodium
• Swap fresh garlic for ½ tsp garlic powder in a pinch

Timing

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 45–50 minutes
• Total time: ~65 minutes

This is about 25% quicker than the standard beef soup recipe, which usually takes around 90 minutes. This cabbage soup with hamburger is genuinely weeknight-friendly.

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until it’s fully browned. Drain off the excess fat, but keep around 1 tablespoon in the pot; that’s your flavor base. Season lightly with salt and pepper at this stage.

According to Healthline’s comprehensive guide to beef nutrition, lean ground beef delivers around 26 grams of high-quality protein per 3.5-ounce serving, along with meaningful amounts of iron, zinc, and B12, making it an excellent foundation for a satisfying, nutrient-dense soup.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened and translucent. Toss in the minced garlic and cook for another 60 seconds until fragrant. Don’t rush this step. Properly sautéed aromatics are what give this cabbage soup with hamburger its depth.

Step 3: Add the Vegetables

Stir in the carrots and celery and cook for 2–3 minutes. Then add the chopped cabbage. It will look like a lot that’s normal. Cabbage wilts down significantly as it cooks, so don’t be tempted to pull any out.

Cabbage is one of those underrated powerhouse vegetables. As Healthline notes in their breakdown of 9 impressive health benefits of cabbage, just one cup of raw green cabbage provides 36% of your daily vitamin C and 56% of your daily vitamin K, all for only 22 calories. It’s one of the most nutrient-dense additions you can make to any soup.

Step 4: Build the Broth

Add the diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato paste, beef broth, and water. Stir everything together until the tomato paste is fully incorporated. This is where the cabbage soup with hamburger recipe really comes together. If you love easy, flavor-packed dinners like this one, check out the full Keto Dinner Recipes collection on Simply Keto Hub for more weeknight inspiration.

Step 5: Season and Simmer

Stir in the Italian seasoning and smoked paprika. Bring the pot to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 30–35 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cabbage should be completely tender, and the flavors fully merged.

Step 6: Taste, Adjust, and Serve

Give the soup a final taste. Adjust salt, pepper, or seasoning as needed. If you like a thicker consistency, let it simmer uncovered for an additional 5–10 minutes. Ladle into bowls and serve hot.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (based on 6 servings):

Cabbage is a standout source of vitamin K and vitamin C. Ground beef is a great source of iron and B12. When paired with this cabbage soup, it creates a nutritionally balanced meal all in one bowl.

Healthier Alternatives

Small swaps can make a big nutritional difference without losing any of the flavor that makes this cabbage soup with hamburger recipe so popular.

• Leaner protein: Use 93/7 ground turkey or extra-lean ground beef to cut saturated fat by up to 40%
• Lower sodium: Choose low-sodium broth and no-salt-added canned tomatoes
• Add more vegetables: Toss in spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers in the last 10 minutes of cooking for extra micronutrients
• Boost fiber: Add a can of rinsed white beans or lentils; they blend seamlessly into the broth
• Gluten-free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free as it stands; just be sure to check your broth label.
• Dairy-free: Already dairy-free, no modifications needed

Serving Suggestions

This cabbage soup with hamburger is a complete meal on its own, but here are a few ways to round it out:

• Crusty almond bread or dinner rolls are perfect for soaking up the rich broth
• A simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette for contrast
• Egg noodles for a heartier bowl
• Topped with fresh parsley or a dollop of sour cream for a finishing touch
• With a sprinkle of parmesan for a savory, umami boost

For keto or low-carb readers, serve as-is or pair with cauliflower rice; this soup fits beautifully into a low-carb lifestyle.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even a straightforward cabbage soup with hamburger recipe can go sideways. Watch out for these:

1. Skipping the browning step. Properly browned beef adds layers of flavor through the Maillard reaction. Don’t skip it or rush it.

2. Adding cabbage too late (or too early). Add it to the broth and let it simmer until fully reduced. Cabbage added too late stays raw and crunchy; added too early in a smaller pot, it can overcook to mush.

3. Not seasoning in layers. Season the beef when it browns, and again before serving. One-time seasoning results in flat flavor.

4. Using too-high heat for the full simmer. A hard boil breaks down the vegetables too fast and makes the broth cloudy. A gentle simmer keeps everything cohesive.

5. Not draining the fat. Leaving too much fat from the beef makes the soup greasy rather than rich. Drain most of it, but leave a little behind.

Storing Tips

This cabbage soup with hamburger stores exceptionally well; arguably, it tastes even better the next day.

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4–5 days. The flavors deepen overnight.
• Freezer: Freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months. Use freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags laid flat.
• Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or water if it has thickened. Microwave works too cover loosely and heat in 90-second intervals, stirring between each.
• Meal prep tip: Chop all vegetables up to 2 days ahead and store in the fridge. Brown and refrigerate the beef separately. Assembly and cooking will take under 45 minutes on the day.

Conclusion

Cabbage soup with hamburger is the ultimate comfort food: affordable, nourishing, and deeply satisfying. With tender cabbage, savory ground beef, and a rich tomato broth, it’s a recipe you’ll return to again and again. It stores beautifully, reheats perfectly, and scales easily for a crowd.

Give this cabbage soup with hamburger recipe a try and let us know how it turned out! Leave a comment below. Your feedback genuinely helps other readers.

FAQs

Cabbage Soup with Hamburger

Recipe by LeeseCourse: DinnerCuisine: American

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

50

minutes

Total time

1

hour 

5

minutes

A hearty, easy cabbage soup with hamburger made in one pot with ground beef, tender cabbage, carrots, and a rich tomato broth. Ready in just 65 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef, 80/20 blend

• ½ head green cabbage, roughly chopped (4–5 cups)

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 3 medium carrots, sliced

• 3 celery stalks, sliced

• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

• 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste

• 4 cups beef broth, low-sodium

• 2 cups water

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• Salt and black pepper to taste

• 1 tbsp olive oil

Directions

• Brown the Ground Beef:
  Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks until fully browned. Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
• Sauté the Aromatics:
  Add diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 60 seconds until fragrant.
• Add the Vegetables:
  Stir in carrots and celery and cook for 2–3 minutes. Add chopped cabbage and stir to combine.
• Build the Broth:
  Add diced tomatoes with juices, tomato paste, beef broth, and water. Stir until the tomato paste is fully incorporated.
• Season and Simmer:
  Stir in Italian seasoning and smoked paprika. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 30–35 minutes until cabbage is tender.
• Taste, Adjust, and Serve:
  Taste and adjust seasoning. For a thicker soup, simmer uncovered for 5–10 more minutes. Ladle into bowls and serve hot.