Fiery Cabbage & Beef Soup Recipe: Zesty Comfort in a Bowl
Hearty soups have a magical way of warming both body and soul, especially when packed with savory beef and a zesty kick of spicy cabbage soup that dances on your taste buds.
Cold winter nights call for comfort in a bowl, with robust flavors that fill your kitchen with irresistible aromas.
Tender beef chunks mingle with crisp cabbage, creating a robust and satisfying meal that feels like a warm embrace.
Rich broth simmers with layers of spices, promising a delightful culinary experience that will leave you craving every spoonful.
Packed with protein and vibrant vegetables, this soup delivers nutrition and incredible taste in one comforting dish.
Each bite promises a perfect balance of heat and heartiness that transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary dining experience.
Let’s find out this soul-warming recipe and let the spices tell their delicious story.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
Calories: 187 kcal
Servings: 7
Spicy Cabbage and Beef Soup Ingredient Rundown
For Protein:
Ground Beef: Lean, high-quality beef adds rich, meaty flavor and substantial texture to the soup, providing hearty protein. Choose 85% lean ground beef for optimal balance of flavor and tenderness.
For Vegetables and Aromatics:
Cabbage, Onion: Crisp cabbage and sweet onions create a robust vegetable base, adding nutrition and depth to the soup. Select fresh, firm cabbage with vibrant green leaves and choose onions that are firm without soft spots.
For Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:
Crushed Tomatoes, Rotel Tomatoes and Green Chiles: Canned tomatoes bring tangy acidity and create a robust liquid foundation. Rotel adds zesty heat and authentic southwestern flair. Select high-quality, no-salt-added brands for better control of sodium.
Water, Beef Bouillon Cubes: Water helps achieve perfect soup consistency while beef bouillon concentrate intensifies savory, umami undertones. Opt for low-sodium bouillon for healthier preparation.
For Spices and Seasonings:
Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Dried Oregano, Cayenne Pepper: This spice blend delivers complex, layered flavor profile with warmth, depth, and subtle heat. Choose freshly ground black pepper and recently purchased dried herbs for maximum potency.
Soup Making Tools for Cabbage and Beef Lovers
Large nonstick skillet: Perfect for browning ground beef evenly and breaking it into small pieces.
Wooden spoon: Essential for stirring and breaking up meat while cooking.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for chopping cabbage and onions.
Chef's knife: Sharp and reliable for precise vegetable chopping.
6-quart slow cooker: Spacious and ideal for creating this hearty soup.
Measuring cups: Helps accurately add water and other liquid ingredients.
Measuring spoons: Ensures precise seasoning for balanced flavor.
How to Simmer the Perfect Spicy Cabbage Soup
Beef Preparation Ground beef gets a golden sear in a skillet, transforming into deliciously crispy morsels that will infuse incredible flavor into our soup.
Veggie Chopping Cabbage and onions receive a quick chop, creating a vibrant foundation for our hearty meal that adds texture and depth.
Slow Cooker Assembly Layer the browned meat over the fresh vegetable landscape, creating a delectable culinary terrain ready for seasoning magic.
Flavor Explosion Crushed tomatoes and zesty Rotel bring a spicy kick, while bouillon cubes and seasonings dance together to create a robust broth that tingles taste buds.
Cooking Rhythm Let the slow cooker work its gentle transformation, melding ingredients into a comforting soup that develops rich, complex flavors over several hours.
Variations and Enhancements for Beef Cabbage Soup
Chop vegetables while beef browns to maximize kitchen efficiency and reduce overall cooking time.
Adjust heat by choosing mild or hot Rotel tomatoes, or add extra red pepper flakes for adventurous taste buds who love bold flavors.
Replace ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for lighter or vegetarian versions of this hearty soup.
Skip traditional slow cooker method and transform this recipe into a quick skillet meal, reducing cooking time to just 30 minutes for busy weeknight dinners.
Store soup in airtight containers for up to 4 days, noting that flavors develop and intensify overnight, making next-day servings even more delicious.
Serving This Hearty Soup with Flair
Cozy Comfort Bowl: Serve this hearty soup in deep ceramic bowls that showcase its rich, rustic colors and invite warmth during chilly evenings.
Gourmet Topping Paradise: Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions, a dollop of sour cream, or crumbled queso fresco on top to add creamy texture and bright flavor contrast.
Bread Pairing Perfection: Complement the soup with crusty sourdough bread, warm cornbread, or garlic toast to soak up the delicious broth and add a satisfying crunch to each bite.
Wellness Boost Option: Enhance nutrition by adding a side of mixed greens salad or garnishing with fresh cilantro for an extra layer of freshness and health-boosting herbs.
Spicy Soup Meal Planning and Storage Tips
Refrigerator Storage Magic: Seal your soup in airtight containers, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before refrigerating to maintain optimal taste and texture.
Freezer-Friendly Portion Control: Divide soup into individual servings using freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags. These meals will stay delicious for up to 3 months, perfect for quick future dinners.
Reheating Perfect Technique: Thaw frozen soup overnight in the refrigerator, then warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and prevent burning, adding a splash of water if needed to restore original consistency.
Meal Prep Champion: Make a double batch during weekend cooking sessions. This strategy saves time, reduces midweek stress, and provides nutritious meals ready in minutes when you're tired or busy.
Hearty Korean-inspired spicy cabbage and beef soup delivers robust flavors from Seoul’s culinary traditions. Simmering tender meat and crisp vegetables creates a comforting bowl you’ll savor with each delicious spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
6 cups (1.4 liters) cabbage, chopped into 1-inch pieces
15 oz (425 grams) crushed tomatoes, canned
10 oz (283 grams) Rotel tomatoes and green chiles, canned
1 medium onion, chopped
1 and ⅓ cups (315 milliliters) water
2 beef bouillon cubes, crumbled
0.5 tsp salt
0.5 tsp black pepper
0.5 tsp garlic powder
0.5 tsp dried oregano
0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef in a nonstick skillet over medium heat, breaking into fine crumbles until fully cooked with no pink remaining.
Vegetable Processing: Wash and chop cabbage and onions into uniform bite-sized pieces, creating a consistent foundation for the soup.
Slow Cooker Assembly: Layer chopped vegetables as the base, then evenly distribute the cooked ground beef across the surface of the slow cooker.
Liquid and Seasoning Integration: Pour crushed tomatoes, Rotel tomatoes with green chiles, water, and dissolve beef bouillon cubes. Sprinkle seasonings to enhance the flavor complexity.
Cooking Cycle: Cover and set slow cooker to LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, allowing ingredients to tenderize and flavors to develop fully.
Final Touch: Gently stir the soup to harmonize ingredients, taste, and adjust seasonings as needed before serving piping hot.
Notes
Maximize Meat Browning: Thoroughly brown ground beef to develop rich, deep flavors and prevent watery soup texture. Ensure no pink remains for food safety and optimal taste.
Vegetable Precision Matters: Chop cabbage and onions uniformly to guarantee even cooking and consistent bite in every spoonful. Consistent sizing ensures balanced flavor distribution.
Liquid Balance is Key: Carefully measure water to maintain ideal soup consistency. Too much liquid dilutes flavor, while too little can cause burning or uneven cooking.
Slow Cooker Timing Tricks: Choose cooking temperature based on your schedule – LOW for tender, slowly developed flavors if you’re away all day, or HIGH for quicker meal preparation when time is limited.
Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Modern American and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and global cuisines.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Program: Diploma in Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized education in baking and pastry, emphasizing artisanal bread, confections, and plated desserts.
Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.
Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.
At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.
Michael Reynolds
Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist
Expertise
Recipe Development and Testing, Modern American and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.
Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.
At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.