Translating the comforting, layered flavors of stuffed cabbage rolls into a set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker soup is a total win. It captures all the savory, sweet, and tangy notes with a fraction of the work.
Here’s a definitive, game-changing recipe for Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup.
Why This Recipe Is a Game-Changer:
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No Rolling: All the flavor, none of the fussy assembly.
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Hands-Off Cooking: Let the slow cooker develop deep, melded flavors.
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Meal Prep Friendly: Tastes even better as leftovers and freezes beautifully.
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Customizable: Easily adapt to different diets (see tips below).
Hearty Slow Cooker Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 6-8 hours on Low or 3-4 hours on High | Serves: 6-8
Ingredients:
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1 lb lean ground beef (or ground turkey/pork)
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1 medium onion, diced
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 small head green cabbage, cored and chopped (about 6-8 cups)
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2 large carrots, diced
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3 stalks celery, diced (optional, for extra flavor)
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1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
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1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
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4 cups beef or vegetable broth (low-sodium preferred)
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½ cup uncooked long-grain white rice (see important note below)
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2 tablespoons brown sugar, or to taste
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3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
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1 teaspoon paprika
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1 bay leaf
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Salt and black pepper to taste
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For serving: Chopped fresh parsley or dill, sour cream.
Instructions:
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Brown the Meat (Optional but Recommended): For the best flavor, brown the ground beef and diced onion in a skillet over medium-high heat until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are soft. Drain any excess fat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Transfer this mixture to your slow cooker.
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Shortcut: You can skip browning and add raw meat to the slow cooker, but the flavor will be less complex.
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Layer in the Slow Cooker: Add the chopped cabbage, carrots, celery, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, paprika, bay leaf, and brown sugar to the slow cooker. Stir to combine everything except the rice and vinegar.
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Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
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Add Rice & Final Seasoning: About 1 hour before the end of cooking (on either setting), stir in the uncooked white rice and apple cider vinegar. Re-cover and let cook until the rice is tender. This prevents the rice from becoming mushy.
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For Instant/Pot-in-Pot Method (if using white rice from the start): Place rice and 1 cup of the soup broth in a heat-safe bowl on a trivet inside the slow cooker. Cook as directed.
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Serve: Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, more brown sugar (for sweetness), or vinegar (for tang). Ladle into bowls and top with fresh herbs and a dollop of sour cream.
Pro Tips & Key Variations:
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Rice Wisdom: Do NOT add uncooked rice at the beginning for a long cook time. It will turn to mush. Use parboiled (converted) rice for more resilience, or add cooked rice at the very end. Cauliflower rice is a great low-carb option added in the last 15 minutes.
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The Sweet & Sour Balance: The brown sugar and vinegar are essential for that classic “sweet and sour” cabbage roll flavor. Adjust to your taste.
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Make it “Roll-Style”: For a more deconstructed roll effect, use ground beef mixed with cooked rice (about 1 cup) formed into small meatballs. Brown them lightly before adding to the soup.
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Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker Method: Use the “Sauté” function for step 1. Add all ingredients (except rice if using regular white rice). Cook on High Pressure for 15 minutes. Quick release, then stir in cooked rice or add uncooked rice and use the “Pot-in-Pot” method for 5-6 minutes.
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Dietary Adaptations:
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Vegetarian: Use plant-based ground “meat” or 2 cups of brown lentils (add at the start with more broth) and vegetable broth.
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Keto/Low-Carb: Omit the rice and brown sugar. Add extra cabbage and a splash of sugar-free sweetener if desired.
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Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free—just ensure your broth and tomato products are certified GF.
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This soup is the ultimate cozy, satisfying meal that truly delivers all the magic of cabbage rolls in a spoonable form. Enjoy the game-changing simplicity