Easy Crockpot Cabbage Soup Recipe

Easy Crockpot Cabbage Soup Recipe

This hearty crockpot cabbage soup is the perfect weeknight dinner that practically makes itself. With tender vegetables, seasoned ground beef, and a rich broth, it’s a comforting meal that fills your home with amazing aromas as it simmers. Best of all, most of the work happens in your slow cooker while you go about your day.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 large head of cabbage, chopped
• 1 can diced tomatoes, 28 ounces
• 1 large onion, diced
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 4 celery stalks, chopped
• 6 cups beef broth
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 bay leaf

Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat and transfer to your crockpot.
2. Add the chopped cabbage, diced tomatoes with their juice, onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the crockpot.
3. Pour in the beef broth and stir well.
4. Add salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf.
5. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the vegetables are tender.
6. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Practical Tips

• Prep ahead: You can prepare all your vegetables the night before and store them in the fridge to make morning prep even easier.
• Brown the beef properly: Taking time to brown the ground beef adds extra flavor to your soup. Don’t skip this step even though it requires a separate pan.
• Customize your vegetables: Feel free to add or substitute vegetables based on what you have on hand. Zucchini, green beans, or bell peppers work wonderfully in this soup.

How to Store

This soup keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Simply thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.

Common Questions

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef? Yes, ground turkey or chicken work as substitutes. The cooking time remains the same, and the soup will be slightly lighter in flavor.

What if I don’t have a crockpot? You can make this soup on the stovetop by bringing all ingredients to a boil, then reducing heat and simmering for 45 minutes to 1 hour until vegetables are tender.

Is this soup freezer-friendly? Absolutely. This soup freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Cool it completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers.