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Unstuffed cabbage soup with ground beef served with toasted bread and fresh herbs

High-Protein Unstuffed Cabbage Soup

5 from 1 vote
All the cozy comfort of classic stuffed cabbage rolls, turned into a hearty, high-protein soup. Lean ground beef, lots of vegetables, tender rice, and a richly spiced tomato broth.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings : 6 servings

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Ingredients

  • 1½ lb lean ground beef
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 medium carrots, diced
  • 3 celery stalks, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 small green cabbage, chopped
  • 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 4 cups beef bone broth
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup uncooked white rice
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp sweet paprika
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, (optional)
  • 1-3 tbsp apple cider vinegar, to finish
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Start Cooking

Instructions
 

  1. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp olive oil, then add 1½ lb lean ground beef. Brown thoroughly, breaking it up with a spoon, until no pink remains.
    Lean ground beef browned in a large pot as the base for unstuffed cabbage soup
  2. Add 1 large yellow onion, diced, 3 medium carrots, diced, and 3 celery stalks, diced. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
    Ground beef cooked with carrots, celery, and onion for flavorful unstuffed cabbage soup
  3. Stir in 4 garlic cloves, minced and 2 tbsp tomato paste. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly darkened.
    Garlic and tomato paste added to ground beef and vegetables for rich cabbage soup flavor
  4. Add 2 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tsp sweet paprika, 2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried thyme, ½ tsp ground cumin, ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and 1½ tsp salt. Stir to coat everything evenly.
    Spices being added to browned ground beef and vegetables in a pot for high-protein unstuffed cabbage soup
  5. Add 1 small green cabbage, chopped, 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes, 4 cups beef bone broth, 1 cup water, and ½ cup uncooked white rice. Stir well.
    Chopped cabbage and rice added to tomato bone broth for unstuffed cabbage soup
  6. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 35 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and the cabbage is soft.
    One-pot unstuffed cabbage soup with ground beef, cabbage, rice, and vegetables
  7. Stir in 1-3 tbsp apple cider vinegar, taste, and adjust salt and vinegar if needed.
    Serve warm with a side of crusty bread.
    High-protein unstuffed cabbage soup made with ground beef, vegetables, and rich tomato broth

Nutrition

Calories: 364kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 36gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 999mgPotassium: 1287mgFiber: 8gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 6394IUVitamin C: 61mgCalcium: 156mgIron: 6mg