Slow Cooker Ground Beef & Cabbage Soup

A hearty, comforting slow cooker soup packed with ground beef, tender cabbage, carrots, celery, and tomatoes. Everything simmers together into a rich, savory broth for an easy family meal that tastes even better the next day.

Ingredients

• 500 g ground beef
• 1 small head green cabbage, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can (400 g) diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 5 cups beef broth
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup uncooked rice, optional
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Fresh parsley, for serving

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and onion and cook until the beef is browned. Drain excess grease.
2. Transfer the beef mixture to a slow cooker.
3. Add the cabbage, carrots, celery, and garlic.
4. Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
5. If using rice, add it now and stir everything together.
6. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the cabbage and vegetables are tender and the flavors have developed.
7. Taste and adjust the seasoning. If the soup is thicker than you prefer, add a little extra beef broth.
8. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Q&A

Can I make this soup without rice?
Yes. Simply leave out the rice for a lower-carb version.

Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes. Ground turkey or chicken can be substituted, although the soup will have a lighter flavor.

Can I cook everything directly in the slow cooker?
Yes, but browning the beef and onion first adds much more flavor and gives the soup a richer taste.

Can I freeze this soup?
Yes. Allow it to cool completely, then freeze in airtight containers. If using rice, the texture may soften slightly after freezing.

What makes this soup so flavorful?
The combination of browned beef, tomatoes, cabbage, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and herbs creates a rich savory broth.

Nutrition

This soup is rich in protein from the ground beef and provides fiber and nutrients from cabbage, carrots, celery, and tomatoes. For a lower-carb option, simply omit the rice.

Conclusion

This Slow Cooker Ground Beef & Cabbage Soup is cozy, filling, and incredibly easy to make. It is perfect for a cold evening, meal prep, or a simple family dinner, with tender vegetables and flavorful beef in every spoonful.