Slow Cooker Cabbage Soup with Ground Beef is a hearty crockpot soup made with cabbage, seasoned tomatoes, celery, onion, bell pepper, garlic, beef broth, and ground beef. Oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes give this version more herb and spice than the simpler stovetop cabbage soup.
Why This Cabbage Soup Works in the Slow Cooker
The slow cooker gives the cabbage, onions, celery, peppers, tomatoes, and beef time to cook together without much hands-on work. Browning the ground beef first keeps excess grease out of the finished soup and gives the meat better flavor.
This recipe is also noticeably different from the stovetop Ground Beef Cabbage Soup on the site because it uses beef broth, garlic, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes instead of onion soup mix.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground beef: The recipe allows 2 to 3 pounds. Brown and drain it before adding it to the crockpot.
- Cabbage: Chop one whole head into pieces that will fit comfortably on a spoon.
- Seasoned diced tomatoes: Basil, oregano, and garlic-seasoned tomatoes reinforce the herbs already in the soup.
- Beef broth: Five to six cups create the savory base.
- Red pepper flakes: Half a teaspoon adds gentle heat.
Optional Sauerkraut Variation
If you like a tangier cabbage soup, replace part of the fresh cabbage with some sauerkraut. Add it as a variation rather than treating it as a required ingredient, since the published base recipe does not specify an exact amount.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container. The soup reheats well on the stovetop or in the microwave and often develops more flavor after a night in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 pounds ground beef, or ground turkey
- 1 head cabbage, chopped
- 2 cups celery, diced
- 2 cups white or yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 5 to 6 cups beef broth
- 2 (14-ounce) cans basil, oregano, and garlic-seasoned diced tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 2 teaspoons basil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Black pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, optional
How To Make Slow Cooker Cabbage Soup with Ground Beef
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain the excess fat.
- Add the cooked beef, cabbage, celery, onion, bell pepper, garlic, beef broth, diced tomatoes, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and optional salt to the slow cooker.
- Stir well to combine.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 5 to 6 hours, or on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, until the cabbage and vegetables are tender.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving.
For a quicker stovetop version, try Ground Beef Cabbage Soup. For a vegetable-focused version, see Vegetable Cabbage Soup with Tomato Juice.
