Description
This Polish Stuffed Cabbage Soup is a hearty and comforting dish that brings together the flavors of traditional Polish gołąbki in a delicious soup form. Made with ground beef, cabbage, rice, and a flavorful broth, this soup is perfect for a cozy night in.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Soup:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (or pork, or a mix)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 head green cabbage (chopped)
- 1 large carrot (sliced or grated)
- 1/2 cup uncooked white rice
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 6 cups beef or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1–2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed. Add diced onion and garlic; sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Stir in chopped cabbage and carrots. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage begins to soften. Add uncooked rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, thyme, salt, pepper, and brown sugar if using.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30–35 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the cabbage is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve with rye bread or crusty rolls.
Notes
- This soup is a deconstructed version of traditional Polish gołąbki (stuffed cabbage rolls).
- It freezes well and tastes even better the next day.
- For a lighter version, use ground turkey or skip the rice for a low-carb option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
