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Get It Now- Why You’ll Love This Cabbage Soup Recipe
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How To Make Cabbage Soup With Hamburger
- Variations Of Beef Cabbage Soup
- Storage Instructions
- More Healthy Soup Recipes
- Tools To Make Cabbage Soup Recipes
- Cabbage Soup With Hamburger (Crock Pot or Instant Pot) Recipe card
- Recipe Reviews
This easy beef cabbage soup recipe (sometimes called hamburger cabbage soup) tastes so rich and hearty, you’d never guess it was healthy. It’s a lot like my hamburger soup, but with the added comfort factor of cabbage instead of some of the other veggies. Let me show you how to make cabbage soup with ground beef, tender veggies, and only 15 minutes of hands-on prep — including Crock Pot or Instant Pot options.
If you like this cabbage soup recipe, you’ll probably also enjoy my detox soup.
Why You’ll Love This Cabbage Soup Recipe
- Rich, beefy flavor
- Tender meat with soft vegetables
- Simple ingredients with minimal chopping
- 15 minutes of prep time
- Make this easy cabbage soup recipe in the slow cooker, pressure cooker, or on the stove top
- Naturally paleo, whole30, keto, and low carb
- The perfect light meal that keeps you full and satisfied!
Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for cabbage and ground beef soup, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options (see more in the Variations section below). For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Avocado Oil – You can also use olive oil, or whatever neutral cooking oil you prefer.
- Onion – A white or yellow onion is best, but red onion can work as well.
- Ground Beef – I typically use 85/15 grass-fed beef, which is flavorful without being too greasy, but use any variety you like. While this is a recipe for cabbage soup with hamburger, you can also make it using other ground meats (see ideas in the Variations section below).
- Shredded Coleslaw Mix – Makes for minimal chopping in this simple cabbage soup recipe! If you want to avoid the added carrot, you can also use plain shredded cabbage.
- Beef Broth – I use homemade bone broth, but a store-bought variety beef broth works too. Chicken broth and vegetable broth also make fine substitutions.
- Diced Tomatoes – These are the kind that come in a can. Include them with the liquid for extra flavor and for the right amount of liquid in the soup.
- Herbs & Spices – Including Italian seasoning (make homemade Italian seasoning for best flavor!), garlic powder, bay leaves, sea salt, and black pepper. If you like a little kick, add some cayenne pepper to taste.
How To Make Cabbage Soup With Hamburger
This section shows how to make cabbage soup with ground beef, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Saute onions. Heat oil in the Instant Pot (or saute pan, if using a slow cooker). Cook onions until softened.
- Cook beef. Increase temperature to medium-high heat and add ground beef, cooking until browned.
- Add remaining ingredients. Transfer the beef and onions to a slow cooker (or leave in the Instant Pot if using that method.) Stir in the coleslaw mix, diced tomatoes (with liquid), broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and whole bay leaves.
- Cook. Cook hamburger cabbage soup in the Crock Pot or Instant Pot, until ingredients are softened and cooked through. (Times will vary depending on cooking vessel of choice — see recipe card below.) I like to garnish with fresh parsley, but this is optional.
VARIATION: Cook ground beef cabbage soup on the stove top instead.
Follow the same steps, but use a large pot and cook on the stove. After adding ingredients to the pot in step 3, bring to a boil and simmer for 30-60 minutes, or until the flavors develop to your liking.
Variations Of Beef Cabbage Soup
- Skip the meat – Make it vegetarian by omitting the beef and use vegetable broth instead of beef bone broth.
- Use different ground meats – Instead of hamburger soup with cabbage, trade beef for ground turkey, ground pork, ground chicken, or Italian sausage with casings removed.
- Add beans – If your lifestyle allows beans, they would make a perfect addition to this soup. Simply rinse and drain beans before adding to the pot. Try it with cannellini beans or kidney beans!
- Try other added veggies – This soup would taste delicious with cauliflower, bell peppers, or celery added!
- Include potatoes – If you wish to have potatoes in your soup, saute them to brown after the onions, then cook as usual. They’ll soften while the soup cooks.
- Use whole cabbage – I typically use coleslaw mix as a time-saving shortcut whenever I make cabbage soup recipes, but you can simply chop it yourself instead of using a mix.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice – It brightens up the flavor and adds a boost of vitamin C! Add it at the end of cooking, to taste.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Cool cabbage beef soup leftovers to room temperature, then cover and store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Meal prep: Shred cabbage (if not using a pre-shredded mix), and cook onions and beef ahead of time and store until ready to complete the recipe. You can also make the entire soup ahead of time, since it stores very well. It’s easy to make a double batch!
- Freeze: Cover tightly and freeze for up to 3 months, and thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Reheat: Warm up the soup on the stovetop, in the slow cooker, or in the microwave.
More Healthy Soup Recipes
If you like this hearty Crock Pot cabbage soup with hamburger, you’ll love these other cozy soups too!
Tools To Make Cabbage Soup Recipes
- Saute Pan – Only needed if using the stovetop or slow cooker version of this recipe.
- Instant Pot – Makes the best cabbage soup recipe in the least time!
- Crock Pot – My favorite for low and slow cooking.
Cabbage Soup With Hamburger (Crock Pot or Instant Pot)
Make this easy beef cabbage soup recipe in the Crock Pot or Instant Pot! Cabbage soup with hamburger is cozy, healthy, and easy.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
Crock Pot Instructions:
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Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions start to brown.
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Add ground beef to the pan. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Increase heat to medium-high. Cook, breaking apart with a spatula, for about 7-10 minutes, until the beef is browned.
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Meanwhile, place the remaining ingredients into the Crock Pot.
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When the beef is browned, add the beef and onion mixture to the Crock Pot. Stir to combine. Season with more salt and/or pepper to taste.
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Cook for 5-6 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
Instant Pot Instructions:
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Press the Saute button on the Instant Pot. Add the oil and chopped onions. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions start to brown.
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Add ground beef to the Instant Pot. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Increase saute temperature to "High". Cook, breaking apart with a spatula, for about 7-10 minutes, until the beef is cooked through.
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When the beef is done, turn off heat and add the remaining ingredients into the Instant Pot. Stir to combine. Season with more salt and/or pepper to taste.
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Cover and seal the Instant Pot. Press the Manual button and adjust the time to 20 minutes. When cooking is complete, let pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then use quick release. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
Did You Like It?
Leave a rating to help other readers (this also helps me continue to provide free recipes on my site), or get the recipe sent to your inbox.
Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 cup
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂
314 Comments
Kevin
0This actually looks pretty good. I’ll make it this weekend.
emma reeves
0OMGoodness..winner, winner, I used ground pork as I don’t eat beef. It was absolutely incredible.
I will be making several versions using ground chicken and sausage. I can’t say enough good things. SPOT ON!!!
Ana
0This soup is the best! My daughter who has rufused to eat anything made out of or containing tomatoes for her 20 years ate this and had me make more for her to take to school with her!! That’s a serious win.
Ron
0I always enjoy Corned Beef and Cabbage on St. Paddy’s Day so I thought cabbage soup was worth making.
Rather than a Crock Pot or Instant Pot, I used my heavy Stainless Steel soup pot on the range.
Although a cole slaw mix would be faster, I prefer to buy food that I process, rather than a product that has been chopped and mixed so I definitely recommend a head of cabbage.
I used fresh garlic rather than garlic powder. I sauteed the onion and then added the garlic and sauteed for another minute. I added the ground beef and browned and then carried on with the rest of the recipe.
The soup was fantastic. Who knew cabbage could be that good? The soup is tasty and at 5 grams of carbs per cup, it fits into my Keto diet.
I think I will pick up another head of cabbage.
Judy Nieman
0This is one of my all-time favorite soups. The soup is great on a cold day and it is wonderful because it lasts for several days in the fridge. I added some corn, green beans, and carrots to the soup and it made it so hearty. This soup gets five stars from me!
Sara
0Made this in the instant pot and it was amazing! I went for a full tsp garlic powder and topped with shredded parm. Also paired with the fathead dinner rolls. Delicious!
Holley Adams
0This is a wonderful and filling recipe. I made it in my Instant Pot. While I was browning the meat and onions, I chopped up some raw jalapenos and let them cook in with the meat. If you like a little heat, this is a nice way to add some.
I also made Maya’s 90-second bread, then put it on a cookie sheet to toast in the oven. It makes a nice side for this soup. It’s delicious!
Thank you for the simple-to-make recipe!
Sharise
0This soup is easy and so delicious. I froze some in soup containers making it perfect to grab and go for work. I even shared the recipe with my mom and she is now a fan. I will make this recipe over and over again. Thanks for the super easy, delicious, and fulfilling soup recipe.
Judy Nieman
0I used my Instant Pot. Soup was done in 25 minutes.
Andrea Newmarker
0So good!!! We devoured it and loved so much I doubled next time and froze individually to have whenever I want!
Kara Olson
0Cabbages, cabbages, yum yum yum.
Cheryl
0I love this soup. I make it about twice a year, maybe I should make it more than that.
Except I add carrots, celery, garlic and spinach. It is so so good. Now after reading this I think it’s time for me to make it again. Made my mouth water reading this.
Lorie
0Delicious! And easy to put together! I used fresh head of cabbage and left out italian seasoning. I slow cooked in crock pot. I added a dollop of sour cream on top of each bowl when serving. Will definitely make again!
Nikki Lally
0Love my Instapot and this recipe was all done in it. Instead of hamburger, I used turkey sausage since it is less expensive. Cut up a whole small cabbage head and added some shredded carrots. Love sautéing in my pot. So easy. Kept everything else the same but aðded some frozen collard greens and garlic. So yummy. Did not have alot leftover.
Phyllis
0This recipe has quickly become a favorite in my household. Super easy, inexpensive and so, so tasty!
Franziska
0Now I had to make a couple of changes, although it didn’t way now many servings this makes I’m guessing at least 6 (6 cup of broth..duh). As I cook for one and don’t like leftovers I halved all the ingredients. Change number two: I don’t have a crock lot not any such gadget I cooked it stove top. I started with 30minutes and since I like it sorted cabbage added another 5minutes. It’s like my mom and I have done for ever. Change number three: I didn’t have any hamburger meat but I have ground turkey and pork(which I buy in large ieces and grind myself with my trusty Kitchenaid). ok
And I skipper the tomato, instead I used a whole large onion, quarter it, take a bay leave and two cloves, stick the bay leave to one quarter onion with the cloves. That way you can find both with no problem. Cloves give it a bit of extra spice. Since I have problems getting enough fat every day, I added a tbsp of bacon fat, ( I save it from when I cook bacon) Was a perfect diner which I enjoyed very much, and I only have enough for one more bowl for tomorrow. The only thing that could have made it better would have been a slice of German bread…. aww well old memories.
Allison Tolson
0This was absolutely delicious! I substituted Italian chicken sausage for the ground beef and everyone raved about it! Love your recipes!
Allison Tolson
0This was absolutely delicious! I substituted Italian chicken sausage for the ground beef and everyone raved about! Love your recipes!
Miss Kalandra Petro
0Oh My This looks Absolutely So Delicious & Scrumptious can’t wait to try this / pass it on to others in my circle. Yahoooooooooooooooooo
Mahaley Holl
0Have been living keto for a year now and although not generally fan of cabbage, really enjoyed this recipe! We have our own meats so substituted 1/2grass fed ground beef and 1/2 ground venison. Spice blend was perfect.
JoAnn Tricker
0I made this soup and it was GREAT!!! Definitely a keeper recipe!
Teresa
0Can’t wait to try it yummy
Lynn
0This is a wonderful soup tecipe for winter. It is easy to make & very tasty!
Kristen
0Excellent recipe. My whole family loved it!
Lucinda
0WOW! This was great, even hubby ate it and he hates cabbage. I used my homemade ground sausage, pork bone broth, added chopped mini sweet peppers, olive oil (allergic to avocados). Served it with a sprinkle of cheese and dalop of sour cream. Made scratch herbs me to rolls. Adding this to my winter soup rotation.
Alyssia Villela
0This was amazing, it’s been cold and so post to be colder next few days so I’m happy that I made it today. I’m obsessed with cabbage, my hubby not so much be he loves it I was happy cause it’s dinner next few days lol. Definitely going to be a go to for cold weeks. Loving all the recipes I have found can’t wait to make more.
Candice Contos
0I used Mild Italian Pork sausage instead of ground beef and then used vegetable broth instead of bone broth(only meat I had in freezer and didn’t think bone broth would go with pork) oLove that you can change the some of the items in the recipe to suit different taste. Loved how easy this was to cook in my instant pot! My entire family loved it with the substitutions I made ❤️
Jamie Walsh
0I made this during a “snow day” this week and it was so good! Very filling, great for left overs!
Tina Nolen
0Great recipe and very easy to make.
Tina Kemp
0I made this and although it was good, it needed something. Next time I will experiment with some different spices and maybe add another veggie.
Susan Ingram
0Sounds delicious. We are thinking of using corned beef as well!
Jen
0I decided to make this soup (crockpot style) when unexpected visitors said they would be here the next day. It was so easy and everyone loved it! My husband especially liked that it included some meat.
Janet Johnson
0I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with cabbage, however, this recipe has made me a lover!!!
I make this soup probably two times a month because I love it. It actually gets better when left overnight.
Thank you for sharing this recipe! ❤️
Rindala Antoun Abou Ajram
0I always cook cabbage soup and with different variations, but I had never tried this one until yesterday!!!!! It ranks amongst my favorites. I love experiencing with cabbage and cauliflower and new recipe suggestions r always welcome. I played a little bit with the seasonings though. Kisses all the way from Lebanon.
Michele Todd
0Made this in the pressure cooker. Added riced cauliflower and peppers. Delicious and easy.
Chelsea Halisheff
0Tried this last night for dinner and I can’t wait to try it again this weekend with the temps dropping!
Patricia Copeland
0I made this using hamburger meat, cabbage, jalapeno slices, salt and pepper. My husband likes the simple stuff. LOL.. It was DELISH!
Kim
0Delicious, quick, and easy meal that my family loves.
GC
0I make this soup often, especially in cold weather. I usually use Rotel-type tomatoes & also add some Cajun seasoning. We love it.
Michelle
0We love soups and this one reminds me of abondigas which is a favorite in our home. Nice and cozy on a cold day.
Crystal
0This is one of my favourite soup recipes!!! It’s so quick to make and has so much flavour. I’ve made it in the slow cooker and tried it on the stove top. Both are just as easy depending on the day.
It’s definitely in my winter rotation as a go to meal the whole family loves!
Thanks for this recipe!!
Josh
0Hello, I get migraines from tomatoes. Can I eliminate them or substitute something? What would you recommend?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Josh, You can skip the tomatoes.
Realynn
0This was delicious and we enjoyed the flavor! My 14 year old and my 8 year old loved it! I used ground turkey, chicken bone broth, and 4 garlic cloves because that’s what I had on hand.
I used a skillet to saute the onion, cook the ground turkey, then I added the rest of the ingredients and put a lid on the skillet and cooked on 5 by stovetop until the cabbage was soft.
Thanks for sharing!
Lisa Hemmerle
0It was delicious and easy. This will become a regular staple. Thanks!
Peggy
0This is the best soup I have ever had in my 74 years old I am a soup lover. Terrific.
Dottie
0I actually have made this soup often. I love it with ground beef but have also made it without meat. Kinda like a dump soup using various vegetables that I have on hand. I use cabbage a lot for my keto recipes.
Frank
0I used a 4 qt. enameled Dutch oven. Better than Bullion chicken broth, (6 cups boiling water w/2 Tbsp. Better than Bullion chicken broth mix. Coleslaw mix. Ground sirloin, a large sweet white onion and a small can of red beans. Success Boil in bag Rice, cooked separately and added to finished soup. Pretty tasty stuff!
Aletta
0Great tasting soup. I omitted the meat and added turmeric bc of inflammation diagnosis. I will definitely make again. Thank you.
Linda Smith
0Delicious soup! I made mine on the stovetop and added kale along with the other ingredients… so good!
Sharon McFarlane
0Delicious! I used fire roasted tomatoes and chicken broth, otherwise followed the recipe. The broth is so flavorful 😊
jess
0This soup is super tasty and I love that it has cabbage with hamburger meat, insanely good! thank you for sharing!
Kara
0Delicious! Using the coleslaw mix makes it a snap to whip up, and I love that!