Upgraded Cabbage Roll Soup


Recipe summary
Cozy, rich, and satisfying — this Upgraded Cabbage Roll Soup transforms the classic comfort food into a low-carb, high-protein, family-friendly meal. It’s packed with tender cabbage, seasoned ground beef, and a flavorful tomato broth.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 450 g ground beef, 1 pound, 90% lean
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 medium size yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 3 leveled tbsp brown sugar
- 4 heaping cups coarsely chopped cabbage
- about 1 1/2 cups 2 medium size carrots, quartered
- 4 cups beef broth
- 24 oz tomato sauce (3 8-oz cans) or 680 g
- 1/2 leveled cup uncooked long grain rice, rinsed
- 1 bay leaf
- parsley or dill to garnish
- splash of lime juice
Method
- 1
Season the beef lightly with salt and pepper and brown in olive oil for 6-7 minutes.
- 2
Add onion and garlic and cook for about 3 minutes until fragrant.
- 3
Add a spoonful of tomato paste and caramelize it for a minute, season with smoked paprika and dried thyme. Then deglaze with Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce. Add 3 leveled tablespoons of brown sugar and mix everything together.
- 4
Add cabbage and carrots along with rinsed long grain rice, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Season with salt and pepper and add a bay leaf.
- 5
Bring it to a boil then reduce to a gentle simmer and let it simmer uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes until the rice is tender and the soup has thickened slightly.
- 6
Finish it with minced parsley and a splash of lime or lemon juice.






