Instant Pot Cabbage Roll Soup

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Instant Pot Cabbage Roll Soup tastes just like your favorite cabbage roll and is loaded with ground beef, tender cabbage, rice, tomatoes, and fragrant spices.

Instant Pot Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe

Here’s a delicious and soul-satisfying soup for anybody who loves to eat cabbage rolls but just doesn’t have time to make them.

This cabbage soup is ready in minutes in your pressure cooker but tastes like it has simmered all day. It’s a great way to enjoy the flavors of cabbage rolls without all the work of rolling them one-by-one.

I have to say that I wasn’t super keen on making cabbage roll soup. Maybe that’s because I really didn’t grow up eating a lot of cabbage (or soup for that matter) so it’s not exactly something I gravitate to where my taste buds are concerned.

But after the fifth person (yes, 5 people!) within just a few weeks of each other told me how much they loved cabbage roll soup, I decided to give it a try, however reluctantly.

Boy, did I get a surprise – cabbage roll soup IS fantastic!!

Ingredients

• Lean ground beef: You can also use other ground meats if preferred.
• Cabbage
• Crushed or diced tomatoes
• Long grain rice
• Onions
• Garlic
• Beef broth
• Brown sugar
• Worcestershire sauce
• Spices: smoked paprika, dried oregano leaves, bay leaf
• Sour cream and dried dill weed: Optional toppings

How to make Instant Pot Cabbage Roll Soup

Using the saute setting on the Instant Pot, preheat the pot.

When the pot is nicely hot, add the ground beef, garlic, onions, paprika, and oregano, crumbling the beef as it cooks. Cook until the onions are translucent or approx. 6-8 minutes.

Then, turn off the Instant Pot. The ground beef doesn’t have to be fully cooked at this point.

Add the remaining soup ingredients, except the sour cream and dried dill that can be used as a topping when the soup is served. Stir to combine.

Lock the Instant Pot lid into place. Choose the high-pressure setting and set the timer for 15 minutes, bringing the Instant Pot to full pressure.

Make sure the valve is set to the sealing position.

When the timer sounds, perform a quick release to remove all the pressure from the Instant Pot immediately. Carefully remove the Instant Pot lid to open.

Give the soup a gentle stir to combine, then season with salt and pepper to taste.

If desired, Serve the soup with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of dried dill.

Is cabbage roll soup the same thing as stuffed cabbage soup and unstuffed cabbage soup?

It is. There are a variety of names for this cabbage soup, and they are all very similar in ingredients, consistency, and flavor.

Is cabbage roll soup a healthy soup?

Yes!! Using lean ground beef adds great protein to this hearty soup that also includes lots of great vegetables, broth, and rice to make it satisfying.

If I want to make this soup vegetarian by leaving out the ground beef, will it still be delicious?

Totally and completely. You will also need to substitute vegetable broth for the beef broth to make it vegetarian.

Can you freeze cabbage soups?

Technically, you can freeze this soup. However, I have to say that the consistency does change once it’s been frozen and it seems to be pretty “mushy” in texture.

I find it best to eat this soup right when it’s prepared.

Can I cut this recipe in half?

Yep. And because you are making half as much, I’d reduce the cooking time in the Instant Pot by a couple of minutes.

How do I slice the cabbage for this soup?

Cut the head of cabbage in half, slicing through the stem ends.

Lay one half cut-side down on your cutting board, turning it so that the stem-ends of the cabbage half are at the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock positions.

Using a sharp knife (I use my trusty 8-inch Chef’s knife), slice down through the cabbage, cutting off the stem end (at the 3 o’clock area); discard.

Now, proceed to slice across the cabbage (from right to left, if you are right handed), making 1/2-inch wide strips. Next, cut the strips in half lengthwise so they will more easily fit onto a spoon, making the soup a bit easier to eat.

To measure, lightly pack the cut cabbage pieces into the measuring spoon.

Favorite bread recipes to enjoy with cabbage soup

• BUTTERED ROSEMARY ROLLS
• NO-KNEAD PEASANT BREAD
• DUTCH OVEN CRUSTY NO-KNEAD BREAD
• Pull Apart Cheesy Bread with Bacon

Hungry for more Instant Pot soups?

Instant Pot Ham and Cabbage Soup is a comforting, filling, and so good for us, this soup is teeming with mild flavors, perfectly complimented by the chunks of ham and tender cabbage.

Here’s a rich and delicious Italian soup that is ridiculously easy to make. Meatball Soup with Cheese Tortellini is loaded with meatballs and tortellini, all nestled in a creamy broth. This soup can be ready in under 30 minutes!

Crockpot Ham and Cabbage is an easy slow cooker recipe with diced ham and fresh cabbage that makes the perfect comfort food any time of year.

Originally published February 18, 2022. Updated October 12, 2024.