Hearty Beef and Cabbage Soup
This Hearty Beef and Cabbage Soup is a comforting bowl of warmth perfect for winter days. Packed with nutrition, this savory soup combines tender ground beef with nutritious vegetables like cabbage, carrots, and celery, all simmered in a rich tomato-based broth. The addition of beans lends a delightful creaminess and substance, while a medley of spices rounds out the flavors beautifully. Serve this satisfying dish hot alongside a slice of crusty homemade Rye Bread or your favorite artisan loaf for a fulfilling meal that warms both body and soul.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground beef
1 lb (drain off fat after cooking)
cabbage
1/2 head (chopped)
sweet onion
1 small (sliced)
carrots
4-6 (sliced)
celery
2 stalks (sliced)
beef stock
2 cups (none)
red wine
1/2 cup (none)
beef bouillon cubes
3 (crushed (I used Knorr))
water
3 cups (none)
red kidney beans
1 (16 ounce) can (undrained)
tomato paste
2 (6 ounce) cans (none)
chopped tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can (liquid added to soup)
dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon (none)
Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons (none)
caraway seeds
2 pinches (slightly crushed)
fennel seeds
2 pinches (slightly crushed)
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
garlic salt
3/4 teaspoon (none)
garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
Begin by rinsing and chopping the onion, cabbage, carrots, and celery into bite-sized pieces. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped vegetables and sauté them gently until they are just tender, about 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to let them brown. Once tender, transfer the sautéed vegetables to a large soup pot.
2
In the same skillet, add the ground beef (or ground turkey) and cook over medium heat, breaking it up with a spatula until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat and add the cooked meat to the pot with the vegetables.
3
Next, incorporate the remaining ingredients into the pot, ensuring to stir well to combine everything evenly. For a more robust flavor, gently pinch the caraway and fennel seeds between your fingers to release their essential oils before adding them.
4
Once combined, bring the soup to a rolling boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally, until all the vegetables are soft and tender. The longer you simmer, the better the flavors meld together.
5
After simmering, taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve hot in bowls, accompanied by slices of crusty bread. Enjoy the hearty goodness!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Beef and Cabbage Soup?
Hearty Beef and Cabbage Soup is a comforting, nutritious winter dish featuring tender ground beef, cabbage, carrots, and celery in a rich tomato-based broth with beans.
What type of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 pound of ground beef, though ground turkey can be used as a substitute.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
The soup should simmer on low heat for 3 to 4 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the vegetables to become tender.
What kind of cabbage should I use?
The recipe requires 1/2 head of cabbage, which should be chopped into bite-sized pieces.
Which beans are included in the recipe?
One 16-ounce can of red kidney beans is used, and they should be added undrained.
Do I need to drain the fat from the beef?
Yes, after browning the ground beef in a skillet, you should drain off any excess fat before adding the meat to the soup pot.
What vegetables are in this soup?
This soup includes cabbage, sweet onion, carrots, and celery.
Is there alcohol in this recipe?
The recipe includes 1/2 cup of red wine to enhance the flavor of the broth.
What is the base of the soup broth?
The broth is made from 2 cups of beef stock, 3 cups of water, and 3 crushed beef bouillon cubes.
How do I prepare the caraway and fennel seeds?
You should gently pinch or crush the seeds between your fingers before adding them to the pot to release their essential oils.
What kind of tomatoes are needed?
The recipe uses one 28-ounce can of chopped tomatoes (with liquid) and two 6-ounce cans of tomato paste.
Is there any sugar in this soup?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of dark brown sugar is added to the recipe.
What kind of onion is recommended?
One small sweet onion, sliced, is recommended for this recipe.
What seasonings are used?
The seasonings include Worcestershire sauce, caraway seeds, fennel seeds, black pepper, garlic salt, and garlic powder.
What should I serve with Hearty Beef and Cabbage Soup?
It is delicious served hot alongside crusty homemade Rye Bread or your favorite artisan loaf.
How many carrots are needed?
You will need 4 to 6 sliced carrots for this recipe.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes, ground turkey is a suitable alternative to ground beef for this soup.
Do I sauté the vegetables first?
Yes, the onion, cabbage, carrots, and celery should be sautéed in olive oil for 5-7 minutes until just tender before being added to the soup pot.
How much beef bouillon is required?
The recipe calls for 3 crushed beef bouillon cubes.
What size can of kidney beans is used?
Use one 16-ounce can of red kidney beans.
How much tomato paste is added?
The recipe requires two 6-ounce cans of tomato paste.
What is the amount of garlic salt used?
The recipe specifies 3/4 teaspoon of garlic salt.
How much Worcestershire sauce is needed?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce.
Do I add the liquid from the chopped tomatoes?
Yes, the liquid from the 28-ounce can of chopped tomatoes should be added to the soup.
How much water is added to the pot?
You should add 3 cups of water.
What is the purpose of the caraway and fennel seeds?
These seeds provide a medley of spices that round out the savory flavors of the beef and cabbage.
How many stalks of celery are used?
The recipe calls for 2 sliced stalks of celery.
What heat setting should be used for simmering?
After bringing the soup to a boil, reduce the heat to low for the simmering process.
Can I use different beans?
While the recipe specifies red kidney beans for creaminess, you could experiment with other varieties, though it may change the final flavor profile.
Is this soup a healthy option?
Yes, it is packed with nutrition from various vegetables, lean protein, and fiber-rich beans.