Golumpki soup is a warm and hearty soup that is satisfying and nutritious. You can make this easy recipe in just 45 minutes. As a bonus, the leftover soup will taste even better later in the week!
We model this cabbage roll soup after our popular Golumpki recipe (authentic Polish cabbage rolls).
How to make it
This unstuffed cabbage roll soup starts with fresh cabbage and ends up as a bowl of savory comfort food. This easy soup recipe is ready from start to finish in just 45 minutes!
Ingredients
- Cabbage
- Italian Sausage
- Onion
- Rice
- Garlic
- Tomato Paste
- Diced Tomatoes
- V8 Juice
- Beef Broth
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Thyme, Paprika, Salt, and Pepper
We like adding Italian sausage to our cabbage soup recipe.
To make this cabbage roll soup, start by browning one pound of sausage. We prefer Italian sausage and to save a few fat calories, we like to use turkey sausage.
Add chopped onion to the browned beef.
Next, you will add chopped onion to the brown sausage. Stir it around until it softens, and this will add a nice savory flavor to this stuffed cabbage soup recipe.
Stir in the main ingredient!
Green cabbage is the most common, but feel free to use a purple cabbage to add some color to this cabbage soup!.
Garlic and rice give this cabbage roll soup some extra body and oomph!
This cabbage soup has a tomato base which is made up of these ingredients:
- Tomato Paste
- Diced Tomatoes
- V8 Juice
Add tomato paste to this cabbage soup for flavor and structure.
Anytime you add tomato paste to a recipe; you should gently brown it first. Doing so will slightly cook the tomato paste making the flavor a bit sweeter through the caramelization process.
Diced tomatoes give this unstuffed cabbage soup a nice flavor and texture.
Once the tomato paste is browned and stirred in, add one 28 oz. Can of diced tomatoes to this cabbage soup recipe. If you can find unsalted or reduced sodium diced tomatoes, use those.
V8 juice will add a lot of flavor to this cabbage roll soup.
V8 juice will give loads of flavor to this cabbage roll soup recipe. Once again, save a ton of unwanted salt and use the reduced-sodium variety if you can find it.
Beef broth gives volume and flavor to this cabbage soup.
Now you’ll stir in some beef broth for this unstuffed cabbage soup. Homemade broth is always best because you know what’s in it and what isn’t in it, IMHO. If you have to use store-bought beef broth, once again, reduced sodium is best!
Have you ever asked,”What’s the difference between broth and stock?” Click the link, and we can help explain it!
For a flavor boost to this cabbage soup, stir in a little Worcestershire Sauce.
Add a Few Flavor Boosters to this Cabbage Roll Soup
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Thyme
- Paprika
- Salt and Pepper
Thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper help finish off this cabbage roll soup.
Finally, the hard part about this savory cabbage roll soup: Allowing the ingredients to get to know each other.
Once you have everything in the pot, you’re going to cover it and allow it to simmer for about 25 to 30 minutes.
It takes about a half hour to simmer this cabbage soup, but it’s SO worth the wait!
While this pot of cabbage soup is simmering, you may want to consider slipping a loaf of our homemade crusty bread into the oven. I can’ think of a better match!
My Golumpki recipe is pretty popular here on Platter Talk, but it is also very popular on Google when people are searching for a stuffed cabbage recipe. It’s the most popular recipe for cabbage rolls in the land.
The Number One Ranked Golumpki Recipe on Google, from Platter Talk.
Thus, it was a no-brainer for me to want to try and recreate our winning recipe into a great Golumpki Stuffed Cabbage Soup recipe.
I know that many people love Golumpki. I also know that many people shy away from trying to make it. The simple reason for this is because making cabbage rolls from scratch requires many steps.
The steps and the recipe itself are very easy; there are just many steps. Because of this, I created a “lazy” approach and turned it into a casserole. Now, it gets even easier with this cabbage roll soup!
This hearty soup recipe can be put together in a matter of a few minutes. The longest part of the process will be the 25-30 minutes you have to wait until the cabbage is softened and the flavors have come together. Because of this, Cabbage Roll Soup is great for a weeknight fall and winter meal.
Make this Cabbage Soup soon!
We made this pot of soup on the stove in one of my favorite pots. But, once you brown your meat, you could quickly put all of the ingredients in your slow cooker and let it simmer away for hours. How is that for convenience?
Can You Freeze Cabbage Soup for Later?
Absolutely! This cabbage soup freezes well for an easy and delicious leftover meal.
If you have been afraid to make stuffed cabbage, our stuffed cabbage soup recipe is for you. It’s a quick way to get the same beautiful flavors you would get from cabbage rolls. I know that this will become one of your go-to soup recipes this fall and winter season. Enjoy. -Scott
Try one of our easy bread recipes with this cabbage roll soup.
More cabbage recipes
- Fried Cabbage with Bacon
- Savory Cabbage and Bacon with Onion
- Corned Beef and Cabbage Stew
- Buttery Slow Cooker Cabbage, Pierogies and Kielbasa
If you love homemade soup, be sure and try our Fennel Soup Recipe. It’s perfect for cold weather eating!
Cabbage Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground Italian turkey sausage
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 small to medium cabbage cut and diced
- ½ cup uncooked rice
- 2-3 Tbs minced garlic
- 2 Tbs tomato paste
- 1 28 oz can of diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ cup V8 juice
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
Instructions
- In a stock pot, over medium heat, brown the turkey sausage.
- Add onions to pot and cook until onions soften.
- Add cabbage to pot and cook until cabbage starts to soften, maybe about 2-3 minutes.
- Push ingredients to the edges of the pot to create an opening in the middle of the pot.
- Add tomato paste and cook until tomato paste starts to darken, about 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in remaining ingredients to the pot and allow soup to come to a slight boil.
- Lower temperature to a simmer and cover.
- Cook for approximately 25-30 minutes or until the cabbage and rice are softened.
Video
Nutrition
Updated from the original cabbage soup recipe of October 6, 2016
Pin this Cabbage Soup Recipe for Later.
Craig says
Great soup! I made it vegetarian by using a hearty vegetable stock and Beyond Meat’s hot Italian sausage. It’s something I’ll make often. : )
Debra says
Wonderful soup. Would recommend it for a good,hearty winter soup. Try serving it with a warm crusty bread.
Janie Woodard says
what size are the servings? I want to make this for the tavern I work at.
Dan from Platter Talk says
Hi Janie. This cabbage roll soup would be perfect for your tavern! Each serving is approximately 2 cups. Let us know how it turns out for you.
Joyce Olson-Burpee says
I read and re-read your recipe and I find nowhere where you tell us to add the rice to the recipe! Do you cook it ahead of time or do you cook it in the soup as it cooks? The recipe clearly says rice but it does it address it in the recipe. Please let me know. Thanks
Scott from Platter Talk says
Hi Joyce. Thanks for your question. The soup calls for 1/2 cup uncooked rice. You add the uncooked rice after you brown your tomato paste. This can be found in step 6 of the instructions at the bottom of the post. There is also a video of me making the soup and I show adding in the rice with the seasonings, canned tomatoes, etc. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you enjoy the golumpki soup.
Caroline says
I made it tonite but it looks like I have too much cabbage. What does it mean when you say small to medium cabbage? How many pounds is that?
Dan from Platter Talk says
Caroline, we’ve never measured our cabbages but suggest you use one of the smallest ones you can find. Thanks for the question.
Veena Azmanov says
I eaten stuffed cabbage so many times but never made it myself. This looks so simple and easy.
Marisa Franca says
We love cabbage rolls so this soup would certainly be welcome at our table. It so simple that it would be easy to whip this soup up in no time. We’ll be making this soup soon. Cooler weather is now here.
Mahy Elamin says
Wow and Wow !!! My family loves soups. And the recipe of your soup looks really tasty. An interesting mix of ingredients. Great idea for dinner. I think that this recipe will be one of my favorites.
Lauren Vavala says
I love cabbage! What a great idea to turn cabbage rolls into soup – yummy!
Claudia Lamascolo says
we love this kind of soup and big cabbage fans. We call it deconstructed cabbage soup rolls. lol yours looks great and I love the color!
Debra C. says
Mmmm!!! My kinda meal, soup is my jam and I love this bowl of goodness!!!
Des says
I so stocked that soup season is almost here!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
This looks really comforting! I’d be enjoying this all fall long!
Chrissie Baker says
I want to try it immediately. I really like this recipe. It really impresses! An interesting mix of ingredients. Thank you!
Melanie Bauer says
Wow! Looks so hearty and flavorful comfort food, love it!
Brandy @ Nutmeg Nanny says
My husband would love this! Saving!
Dorothy at Shockinglydelish says
I want this allllll fall long. It hits all the right notes for me!
Judy McKee says
Hi Dan, To me there is NO special season of the year to have soup. I LOVE soup ANYTIME & I know I will ABSOLUTELY Love the stuffed cabbage soup. I will eat cabbage in or with almost anything so I’m anxious to give this delicious sounding recipe a try. Thanks for sharing your many wonderful recipes with us, BLESSINGS, Judy
Meg says
I grew up in a big Czech family (they relocated to the States before I was born. But every Sunday we had a huge meal together and it was often traditional stuffed cabbage. I know it took them forever to make. I often miss the taste and long to eat it again but it’s a lot of work and I’ve got three kids of my own now! I can’t wait to try this soup! Thank you!
Dan from Platter Talk says
What treasured memories you have from your heritage; thanks so much for sharing. We hope you try this soup sometime soon!
Jane Wiewora says
I love stuffed cabbage. I want to try this soup and yout galumpki recipe.
Dan from Platter Talk says
You’re going to love it Jane!
Deepika says
This soup is so easy and looks absolutely delicious. Have to give it a try. And perfect for this cold weather.
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks for the nice comments, you’re going to love this soup recipe!
Mindy Fewless says
This looks perfect for the chilly weather!!
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
This reminds me of a soup my nana used to make. I love hearty soups chockfull of veggies and meat! I love that you use turkey sausage! I’m looking forward to trying this. And I want to try your golumpki recipe as well.
Janette@CulinaryGinger says
This is great cold weather comfort food. Looks delicious.
Britt Harbour says
I’ll be honest. Sadly, I have never seen this site before, but I was searching for a stuffed cabbage soup recipe and stumbled across this one. This sounds fantastic. I will be making this tonight. In the meantime I’ll browse the rest of your site and see what I can find for tomorrow. Lol.
Dan from Platter Talk says
Welcome to Platter Talk, Britt! Thanks for the nice comments and I hope you try this soup and much much more!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks so much, Jo! Give these a try this weekend!
Veena says
Looks so delicious – Love the colors
Jill says
I’ve never had stuffed cabbage either but I am loving all the ingredients listed in your recipe. I’ll have to try it!
swathi says
Delicious that is wholesome meal right there I can have it any day.
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes says
haha.. your favorite flannel shirt. I grab my husbands green hoodie and a cup of tea 🙂
This looks yummy- my mom makes a similar soup all winter long and I love it!
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy says
I’ve never tried cabbage soup! Sounds delicious!
Christina | Christina's Cucina says
This is real comfort food! I make a similar Italian cabbage and rice soup.
Kristine says
I love stuffed cabbage, but I love soup even more! This looks delicious! Can’t wait to try this, thanks!
April J Harris says
What a lovely, warming and tasty way to get the great taste of Golumpki without all the hard work! Your soup looks fantastic, so wholesome and perfect for this time of year!
Daniela Anderson says
Oh, this recipe has made my day! Stuffed cabbage rolls are a big thing in Romania, we think of them as our national food. I haven’t really tried them as soup, but it sounds fantastic.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
We are loving cabbage recipes at the moment. It’s such a great cheap ingredient, for comforting meals on a budget.
Just Jo says
I love the sound of the name when you say golumpki out loud lol! I’d not heard of it before but the flavours sound spot on and I do need some different soup recipes to try. Am pinning this one!
Theresa Hubbard says
We just had our hogs butchered and I tried this with my mild pork sausage instead of the turkey. Wow, this is the best! Thanks for the recipe and the video! So yummy!! ?
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I think cabbage is such an under-rated ingredient and I am always looking for new ways to use it. This sounds great!
Brian Jones says
I love stuffed cabbage, it is a real favourite out here in Hungary but never seem to get round to making it, primarily because it is a bit of a ‘faff’ for two and works better as a big dish… This on the other hand is very different, looking forward to making this some time over Autumn.
Elizabeth @ SugarHero.com says
This looks so easy and so good! This is exactly the kind of food I crave when the temperature drops!
Jillian says
I LOVE Golumpkis, I bet a soup version is incredible!
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry says
This looks like a really hearty Winter soup recipe. Bookmarking this!
Scott from Platter Talk says
It a great and hearty Fall and Winter soup. I know that you will love this as much as I do.
Jackie Garvin says
I’ll take a bowl, or two, of this soup, please! Much easier than stuffed cabbage with all the flavors.
Scott from Platter Talk says
All the same flavors. You can have this any night of the week. I hope that you make yourself a big pot!
Megan | Allergy Free Alaska says
I have never tried soup like this, but I can’t wait to try this recipe! It sounds so hearty and flavorful!
Scott from Platter Talk says
Don’t forget how easy it is to put this together. You will love it!
Ann says
Does it turn out as well in a crock
Pot?
Scott from Platter Talk says
Hi Ann. This is a great question. I have never tried making this in a crock pot before. However, I don’t see why it couldn’t be done. I would cook on low for about 6-8 hours. You have given me the challenge to try making a batch in the crock pot. I will let you know how they turn out.
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says
This soup is a lot more beautiful than the rolls themselves! 🙂 Looks super delicious and comforting. Pinning!
Scott from Platter Talk says
Thanks Michelle. This soup is so easy and takes no time to put together. I hope you enjoy a bowl of your own soon.
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy says
Never tried cabbage soup before! So intrigued!
Scott from Platter Talk says
Cabbage is a great addition to any soup. Hopefully this recipe has intrigued you enough to try some cabbage in the next pot of soup that you make.
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ says
I love cabbage cooked and raw. I usually like caramelized cabbage for lots of recipes but haven’t tried cabbage in soup. Sounds like a great way to try it.
Scott from Platter Talk says
It definitely is Stephanie. You will love it in soup too.
Dick Janssen says
Sounds good will have to try it
Scott from Platter Talk says
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment today. I hope that you make a pot soon.
Aish Das-Padihari says
I cook with cabbages a lot, but never made stuffed cabbage. Perfect for chilly evenings.
Scott from Platter Talk says
Absolutely a great meal for a cold evening. It will warm your soul.
Heather @Bostongirlbakes says
Oh I love stuffed cabage…can’t wait to try it in a soup! 🙂
Scott from Platter Talk says
You will love it Heather.
Tiffany says
ahhh, I LOVE stuffed cabbage! I think this soup needs to made ASAP! So perfect for the fall. Thank you for sharing! xo, Tiffany http://www.parsnipsandpastries.com
Scott from Platter Talk says
I challenge you to make a pot of this soup this week and let me know what you think.
Natalie | Natalie's Food & Health says
Sounds absolutely delicious and so easy to make. Cabbage is so healthy and this soup is excellent fall meal, great for boosting immunity. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
J @ Bless Her Heart Y'all says
This sounds like such a great meal for chilly fall evenings! I will definitely have to try it out!
Scott from Platter Talk says
I know that you will love it.
Scott from Platter Talk says
Thanks for your comment Natalie.
Lisa | Garlic + Zest says
This sounds like a very homey meal! I usually like my cabbage in salads, but this looks so hearty!
Scott from Platter Talk says
So very hearty and delicious too. Thanks for stopping by.
Lisa Huff says
LOVE the idea of making stuffed cabbage into a soup! Used to have stuffed cabbage growing up and seemed like so much work but this looks so much easier!! Love!
Scott from Platter Talk says
Stuffed cabbage is a labor of love with all of the rolling. This soup is so easy and gives you some of the same great flavors. I hope that you give this one a try soon.
Melissa @ My Wife Can Cook says
I have never had stuffed cabbage (or stuffed cabbage soup). I may start with this soup. Always looking for new fall soups. Looks and sounds delicious!
Scott from Platter Talk says
This soup is so easy and so flavorful. You will love it.
Scott from Platter Talk says
Thanks Melissa. This soup will very quickly become one of your go to soup recipes this winter.
Amanda @ Old House to New Home says
I love stuffed cabbages and this looks like a delicious and easy way to get the same flavors!! I love the video too!
Scott from Platter Talk says
Thanks Amanda. I know that you will love this soup.
Cricket Plunkett says
I’m always too lazy to make stuffed cabbage,so I’ll have to try this way instead. SO easy!
Scott from Platter Talk says
I try to take shortcuts where I can. I know that you will love this soup.