Soups & Comfort

Easy Golumpki Cabbage Roll Soup

All the comforting, savory flavors of traditional Polish stuffed cabbage rolls in a hearty, easy one-pot ground meat and tomato soup.

October 7, 2026 By Chef Clara 4.99 (210 votes)
Easy Golumpki Cabbage Roll Soup
The Quick Takeaway

In a nutshell:This authentic polish-american easy golumpki cabbage roll soup comes together in just 50 minutes with simple ingredients. The chef's secret: standard green cabbage holds its tender ribbons without dissolving into mush over a long simmer. Perfect for home cooks seeking a dependable, restaurant-quality finish with minimal effort.

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 35 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Cuisine Polish-American
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Riding Pinterest Predicts' massive 'Cabbage Crush' food trend, this Easy Golumpki Cabbage Roll Soup deconstructs traditional Polish stuffed cabbage rolls into a rich, soul-warming weeknight dinner. Tender ribbons of green cabbage simmer with browned beef, savory pork, rice, garlic, and a sweet-savory herbed tomato broth. Finished with a swirl of cool sour cream and fresh dill.

Key Equipment

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Chef's Pro-Tips

  • Use green savoy or green cabbage: Standard green cabbage holds its tender ribbons without dissolving into mush over a long simmer.
  • 50/50 beef and pork blend: Combining lean beef with ground pork provides the authentic Polish flavor profile and juicy richness.
  • Sweet-tangy tomato balance: Adding a splash of apple cider vinegar and brown sugar mirrors the classic sweet-sour Polish golumpki sauce.

Ingredients
8 servings

  • 1 lb lean ground beef (85/15), or ground chuck
  • 1 lb ground pork, for traditional Polish flavor
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small head (about 6 cups) green cabbage, cored and chopped into bite-sized ribbons
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes, with juices
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce, for rich tomato broth
  • 4 cups low-sodium beef bone broth, or chicken broth
  • 1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked (or 2 cups cooked rice)
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar, balances tomato acidity
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, for signature Polish sweet-sour tang
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce and smoked paprika, for depth
  • ½ cup sour cream and fresh dill, for serving
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Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Brown Meats & Onion

In a large 6-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook ground beef, ground pork, and chopped onion for 7-8 minutes, breaking meat into crumbles, until browned. Drain excess fat.

2

Add Garlic & Cabbage

Add minced garlic and chopped cabbage ribbons. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until the cabbage begins to wilt down slightly.

3

Pour in Broth & Tomatoes

Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef bone broth, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly.

4

Simmer with Rice

Stir in the uncooked rice. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cabbage is tender and rice is cooked through.

5

Garnish & Serve

Ladle hot soup into bowls. Top each serving with a dollop of cold sour cream, freshly chopped dill, and black pepper. Serve with crusty rye bread!

Chef Clara's Kitchen Picks

Kitchen Essentials

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#2 in Baking Sheets

Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet, 2-Pack

Warp-resistant aluminum for even browning, from sheet-pan dinners to cookies.

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500+ bought weekly

Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef's Knife

Razor-sharp Fibrox Pro blade that home chefs and pros both reach for.

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TILUCK Stainless Measuring Cups & Spoons, 10-Pc

Stainless steel cups and spoons that measure precisely and last.

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Mercer Culinary Locking Tongs, 9" + 12"

Locking tongs in two handy sizes for the stovetop and the grill.

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Amazon Basics Non-Stick Parchment Paper Roll

Non-stick paper for lining pans – easy release, easy cleanup.

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Woodenhouse Teak Wooden Spoons, 10-Pc

Teak spoons gentle on cookware and built for daily stirring.

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OXO Good Grips Silicone Whisk Set, 9" + 11"

Silicone whisks safe for nonstick pans, in two sizes.

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#3 in Cooling Racks

Ultra Cuisine Stainless Cooling Rack Set of 2

Stainless racks that fit half sheets – for cooling bakes and crisping roasts.

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Umite Chef Stainless Mixing Bowls with Lids, 8-Pc

Nesting stainless bowls with airtight lids, from prep to storage.

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Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer

Six speeds with a snap-on storage case for the beaters.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Brown the meats and onions first, then transfer all ingredients (except cooked rice) to a slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours. Stir in cooked rice 15 minutes before serving.

Yes! It freezes exceptionally well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop with a splash of broth.

You can add raw rice to simmer directly in the broth, or stir in leftover cooked white rice during the final 5 minutes of simmering.