Hearty comforting Cabbage Roll Soup is made even healthier with cauliflower rice! This flavorful keto cabbage soup warms you right down to your toes.
Cabbage rolls are a favorite comfort food across the globe. How can you go wrong with spiced ground beef wrapped in tender cabbage leaves and smothered in tomato sauce?
But they are also a labor of love and usually take several hours to make. And because they contain rice, and sometimes even sugar, they aren’t the best option for a low carb diet.
That’s where this Keto Cabbage Roll Soup comes in. It has all the flavor of the classic dish with a fraction of the carbs. And it’s far easier to make too! Add this recipe to your list of keto ground beef recipes for a simple and delicious winter meal.
Why you must try this recipe
My husband says he doesn’t really care for cabbage rolls, but he adored this recipe. He is, in fact, finishing off the last helping as I write this.
This keto cabbage soup is so thick and flavorful, it feels more like eating stew. And yet it’s packed with healthy goodness. It’s a full meal in a bowl, with protein, vegetables, and plenty of vital nutrients. It fills you up but it doesn’t weigh you down, which is my idea of the perfect comfort food!
Gone is the labor intensive work of the classic dish. There’s no need to steam the cabbage, roll everything up, and wait for it to bake. Instead, you have a healthy low carb dinner on the table in 45 minutes flat.
Ingredients you need
- Ground meat: I use a combination of ground beef and pork, but you can make this with just ground beef.
- Onion: I used a quarter cup of onion for flavor.
- Celery: Cabbage rolls normally don’t contain celery but I added some for extra flavor, since I cut back on the onion.
- Red pepper: Most cabbage roll soup recipes call for carrot so I subbed in some red pepper for color.
- Garlic: This keto cabbage soup deserves fresh garlic!
- Cabbage: You will need half of a head of regular green cabbage. Use the rest of the cabbage to make keto fried cabbage or my keto reuben casserole.
- Beef broth: I used beef broth for this recipe, but you can also use chicken broth.
- Cauliflower rice: The original soup has noodles or rice in it, but I use cauliflower rice. It can be either fresh or frozen.
- Canned diced tomatoes: You can use standard cut or petite diced tomatoes. If you don’t like chunks of tomatoes, use crushed tomatoes instead.
- Seasonings: The seasonings are what give this soup a classic cabbage roll flavor. Because I didn’t want to use ketchup or Worcestershire sauce, I added a touch of cloves for that same flavor. I also added paprika, Italian seasoning, and some red pepper flakes.
- Pantry staples: Tomato paste, salt, and pepper.
Step-by-step directions
1. Brown the meat: Sauté the meat, onions, and celery in a large dutch oven over medium heat until cooked through. Add salt and pepper and break up the meat with the back of a wooden spoon. If desired, spoon off some or all of the fat from the ground meat.
2. Add the seasonings: Add the red pepper, garlic, paprika, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and cloves and continue to sauté until fragrant, 1 minute more.
3. Cook the cabbage: Stir in the cabbage and cook until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes.
4. Add the liquids: Add the broth, tomatoes, and tomato paste. Bring to a simmer and reduce the heat to low. Simmer 15 minutes.
5. Add the cauliflower: Stir in the cauliflower rice and cook until tender, another 3 to 5 minutes.
Expert tips
Taking the time to brown the meat properly brings out more flavor, so don’t rush this step. You can use all ground beef, or a mix of beef and pork.
Spooning off some or all of the fat after you’ve cooked the beef helps the soup be less greasy. I simply push the meat to one side and then tilt the dutch oven so the fat runs to the other side.
Frequently Asked Questions
With about 3 grams of net carbs per cup of shredded cabbage, it is a popular vegetable for those who follow a low carb lifestyle. My keto cabbage soup recipe swaps out regular rice and noodles for cauliflower rice, making it extra healthy and full of nutrition.
Most cabbage roll soup recipes have 25 to 30g of carbs per serving. But this keto version has 8.8g of carbs and 2.8g of fiber per serving. That comes to 6g net carbs per serving.
You can store leftover soup in a covered container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It also freezes well for up to 3 months. Be sure to let it cool completely before placing in the freezer.
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Keto Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Dutch oven (at least 6 quarts)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ lb ground pork (or more ground beef)
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 rib celery, chopped
- ½ medium red pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ⅛ teaspoon cloves
- ½ medium head of cabbage, chopped (about 5 cups)
- 4 cups beef or chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 ½ cups cauliflower rice (fresh or frozen)
Instructions
- In a large dutch oven or stock pot over medium heat, combine the meat, onions, and celery and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Sauté until cooked through, about 8 minutes, breaking up the clumps with the back of a wooden spoon. If desired, spoon off some or all of the fat from the ground meat.
- Add the red pepper, garlic, paprika, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and cloves and continue to sauté until fragrant, 1 minute more.
- Stir in the cabbage and cook until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes.
- Add the broth, tomatoes, and tomato paste. Bring to a simmer and reduce the heat to low. Simmer 15 minutes.
- Stir in the cauliflower rice and cook until tender, another 3 to 5 minutes.
Mary Carnduff says
Delicious! I make this soup often and it never lasts long!
Anita W. says
great recipe. It smells and tastes wonderful any time of the year!
Gina says
Can I do this recipe in the crockpot? Of course browning the beef on the stove, then dumping the rest in the slow cooker?
Carolyn says
I suppose so. you will need to experiment, as I did not cook mine that way.
Nan says
oh my goodness,,,, this recipe is to die for!!!!! we’ve been craving cabbage rolls big time and now it’s possible to make them not only keto but so much easier and faster too!
thank you,
from a happy family!!!
Carolyn says
So glad you liked it!
Jane Williams says
Warm, comforting, and it tasted fantastic – the cloves added the nicest fragrance. Will definitely make this again.
Jane Williams says
Fantastic! Easy and fairly quick to make considering where this soup lands on taste and comfort. Really loved it.
Jacqueline says
It was absolutely delicious, even when I made some minor changes! It is one of my favourite recipes; I can store it in the fridge. Then, when I arrive home late in the evening, it’s ready to heat and eat.
Lexi says
Easy, fast, tasty & healthy. I just love it on a cold day, on a hot day, any, any day!
As it is or change as you like. Bellissimo!
Anna Wisner says
OMG so good! I just made a big pot of this keto cabbage up. Unlike your husband, mine loves just about any variation of it, and definitely asked for seconds in a very hopeful way: “Is there more? Can I have some more, please?” lol. I did make some changes, but not major ones, but only to change the flavor profile a bit. Instead of Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, I added a heaping tablespoon of dried dill. I also didn’t have enough beef broth, so went half and half with chicken. I served it with a small dollop of sour cream on top. Filling and satisfying. Even our dog was drooling as it cooked! This will be a keeper, just like many of your recipes. Thank you!
Lois MacKenzie says
I love this soup. You are so right about the cabbage rolls being labour intensive. I know my Mother would be turning over in her grave if she could see me making this “lazy” cabbage roll soup I just made a big pot of this last week and filled nine 16 oz. freezer jars with the screw on lids. The only change I made was eliminating the Italian seasonings and pepper flakes with fresh dill and a little dried dill for insurance. Never thought of this as a Keto dish before, but it worked out just fine. I will never roll another cabbage roll as long as I live. Sorry Mom…
Tricia says
This is so good! I’ll be making it again soon!
Jo-Ann says
Made this tonight and the flavor was quite surprising. This is Delicious!!! I am a diabetic and it did cause my sugar levels to go up a bit but I expected that. My husband loved this and we will be making it often
Tjones says
Delicious meal. I used a whole cabbage because I love it. The whole combination was so warm and comforting. I used allspice since I had it on hand since I make a lot of Jamaican food. Definitely a winner. Next time I’ll play around and try ground sausage for a different flavor.
Kelley Bean says
I didn’t look at how much this recipe made and I started to worry by the time I put the cabbage in – I’m making this for just two people. I figured I could freeze it in batches, but it smelled so good I couldn’t wait to try it. I ended up eating three bowls! Safe to say, I won’t need to freeze any of it.
Carolyn says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Cathy Beedle says
This looks wonderful! A long time ago I had a friend who put some cinnamon and allspice in her cabbage rolls. It was wonderful! She also used lots of garlic. Now whenever I make anything resembling cabbage rolls I use a bit of cinnamon (just a bit and sometimes a sprinkle of allspice). I will most likely add some cinnamon to this when I make it. Trust me, it really goes well with this type of dish.
Carolyn says
Cloves and allspice are very similar in flavor.
Zuly says
A Total “Hit” tonight, Carolyn! Wait, noooo, it was a “Home Run”! Even omitting the cauli rice, still, absolutely delicious! Thank you :-)))
Carolyn says
Thanks!
Rosanna Dieterich says
I made a double batch today. I used all ground beef since I was saving my package of ground pork to make your Gyro Meat which is fantastic by the way. I love the flavor that the cloves added and it smelled so good cooking couldn’t wait to try it. Husband is on his second bowl and says it’s wonderful and he’s glad I decided to make this soup today. Thanks for another great recipe!
Carolyn says
So great to hear!
Stuart in Vancouver says
Looks delish! Any reason I can’t use a bag of coleslaw? I have some leftover from another recipe. It won’t look the same, of course, but should taste just as good, n’est-ce pas?
Carolyn says
I think that would be fine!
Debbie Huewe says
Hi Carolyn! There are only two in home now, we are empty nesters. My husband is having health issues, he now must eat according to the diet called FODMAP. Therefore I will have to cut out any recipes that contain sweeteners, except Monk Fruit. He cannot eat vegetables that caused gas (those are our favorite vegetables) . there’s more. I have been faithful in following your recipes for more than a year. I just wanted you to know why that will not be the case for awhile at least. Thank you for al those delicious desserts.
Patty mcdermed says
Going to go get a couple of things to make this today!
sherry says
Cabbage rolls are huge in my family! They don’t low carb. I am so happy with this recipe! Keep up the great work!!
Georgene Harkness says
Carolyn, you just made my day! I’m in Arizona so we don’t have freezing temperatures here today, but it’s chilly and rainy, and I want something to cook that will feed us both lunch and dinner, without a bunch of fuss. I was drawing a total blank.
But no more! I already have every ingredient on this list, so making this soup will be a breeze! Already grabbing stuff to get started! Thank you so much!
Carolyn says
Fantastic! Enjoy!