Slow Cooker Cabbage, Beef & Rice Soup
This Slow Cooker Cabbage, Beef & Rice Soup is hearty, cozy, and packed with simple ingredients. Tender ground beef, sweet cabbage, vegetables, tomatoes, and rice slowly simmer together in a savory broth until everything is wonderfully tender. It’s an easy one-pot meal that makes the kitchen smell amazing and is perfect for a chilly evening or a satisfying family dinner.
🛒 Ingredients
1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
½ medium head green cabbage, chopped
1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
1 medium onion, diced
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
6 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil, if needed
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Brown the Beef
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for about 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink.
Drain excess fat if necessary.
Tip: Browning isn’t absolutely required for a slow cooker soup, but it adds much more savory flavor to the finished dish.
2. Add Everything to the Slow Cooker
Transfer the beef to a 6-quart slow cooker.
Add the chopped cabbage, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, Italian seasoning, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper.
Pour in the beef broth and stir gently.
3. Cook
Cover and cook on:
LOW: 6–7 hours
HIGH: 3–4 hours
The vegetables should be tender and the flavors well developed.
4. Add the Rice
For the best texture, add the uncooked rice during the last 45–60 minutes of cooking rather than at the beginning. Stir well, cover, and continue cooking until the rice is tender.
If your slow cooker runs hot, begin checking the rice after about 40 minutes.
5. Finish
Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper.
Stir in fresh parsley just before serving.
Let the soup stand for about 5–10 minutes so the flavors settle and the rice can absorb some of the broth.
⭐ Pro Tips
Don’t overcrowd the slow cooker. A 6-quart model gives the ingredients enough room to cook evenly.
Chop the cabbage into bite-sized pieces so it’s easy to eat with the beef and rice.
For a richer flavor, use a combination of beef broth and tomato sauce.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you enjoy a little heat.
If you prefer a soupier consistency, add an extra ½–1 cup of beef broth before serving.
Rice continues absorbing liquid as it sits, so leftovers may need additional broth when reheated.
For meal prep, you can cook the rice separately and add it to individual bowls. This keeps the rice from becoming overly soft.
🥩 Easy Variations
Ground Turkey Version
Replace the beef with lean ground turkey for a lighter-tasting soup.
Spicy Beef & Cabbage Soup
Add ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes and a little smoked paprika.
Low-Carb Version
Simply leave out the rice and add extra cabbage, cauliflower rice, or zucchini.
Italian-Style Version
Add oregano, basil, and a handful of Parmesan before serving.
Extra-Vegetable Version
Add zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, or green beans for even more vegetables.
🍽️ What to Serve With It
This soup is filling enough to serve as a complete meal, but it’s especially delicious with:
Crusty whole-grain bread
Garlic toast
Cornbread
Simple green salad
Roasted vegetables
Pickles or fermented vegetables
A spoonful of sour cream or Greek yogurt on top also adds a creamy contrast to the tomato-rich broth.
❓Q&A
Can I put the rice in at the beginning?
You can, but it may become very soft or absorb too much broth. Adding it during the final 45–60 minutes generally gives better texture.
Can I use brown rice?
Yes, but brown rice typically takes longer to cook. Adjust the timing according to the package directions.
Can I use leftover cooked rice?
Definitely. Stir cooked rice into the finished soup during the last 10–15 minutes, just long enough to heat it through.
Can I freeze this soup?
Yes, but the rice may soften after freezing and thawing. For the best texture, freeze the soup without rice and add freshly cooked rice when reheating.
How do I thicken the soup?
Let it simmer uncovered for several minutes, or simply allow the rice to absorb some of the broth. Remember that the soup will naturally thicken as it cools.
🧊 Storage
Refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
For freezing, allow the soup to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. Leave a little space at the top for expansion.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of beef broth or water if the soup has become too thick.
📌 Recipe Description
Slow Cooker Cabbage, Beef & Rice Soup 🍲🥩🥬 — A hearty one-pot comfort meal made with tender ground beef, sweet cabbage, vegetables, tomatoes, and fluffy rice simmered in a rich, savory broth. Easy to prepare and wonderfully satisfying, this cozy slow cooker soup is perfect for busy weeknights and family
