There’s just something so incredibly cozy about a big pot of soup simmering away, especially when the holidays roll around. My kitchen practically *smells* like Christmas when this hearty ground beef and cabbage soup is on the stove. It’s the kind of meal that just wraps you up like a warm blanket, making it absolutely perfect for those chilly Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. It’s not fancy, but it’s packed with flavor and so satisfying!
I remember my aunt used to make a version of this when I was little, and the aroma alone was enough to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It’s become a go-to for me too, especially when I need something comforting but also relatively easy to whip up amidst all the holiday hustle. This hearty ground beef cabbage soup really hits the spot and is always a crowd-pleaser!
Why You’ll Love This Hearty Ground Beef Cabbage Soup for Thanksgiving, Christmas
This soup is a total winner for so many reasons:
- It’s incredibly easy to throw together, even when you’re juggling a million things during the holidays.
- The flavor is just amazing – so rich and comforting!
- It’s the perfect, warming dish for your Thanksgiving or Christmas table.
- It’s pure comfort food that’ll make everyone feel cozy and happy.
A Flavorful Foundation for Your Holiday Table
Seriously, the smell that fills your house when this soup is cooking is pure magic. That savory base of beef, onions, and garlic just sets the most wonderful, festive tone for any holiday gathering. It’s a warm hug in a bowl!
Simple to Make, Wonderful to Share
You don’t need to be a gourmet chef to make this! It’s so straightforward, which is a lifesaver during the busy holiday season. Plus, it makes a big batch, so there’s plenty to go around and share with everyone you love. For more holiday cooking inspiration, check out our dinner recipes.
Gathering Your Ingredients for Hearty Ground Beef Cabbage Soup
Okay, let’s get everything ready for this amazing soup! You’ll need about a pound of good lean ground beef to start. Then grab a big yellow onion, and chop it up nice and fine. Don’t forget two cloves of garlic, minced – they add so much flavor! For the liquid base, we’ll use 8 cups of beef broth; I really like the low-sodium kind so I can control the saltiness myself. You’ll also need a medium head of green cabbage, just core it and give it a rough chop. Two medium carrots, peeled and diced, and two celery stalks, trimmed and diced, add a lovely freshness. A 14.5 ounce can of petite diced tomatoes, undrained, brings a little tang. And for that classic cozy flavor, we’ve got 1 teaspoon each of dried thyme and dried rosemary.
Essential Components for Hearty Ground Beef Cabbage Soup
The heart of this soup really comes from good quality ingredients. We start with a pound of lean ground beef for that savory base. Then, a large yellow onion, finely chopped, and two minced garlic cloves create our aromatic foundation. You’ll want 8 cups of beef broth, and I always go for low-sodium so I can adjust it perfectly. A medium head of green cabbage, cored and roughly chopped, is key, along with two diced carrots and two diced celery stalks for that classic mirepoix flavor.
Optional Enhancements for Your Holiday Soup
While the base ingredients are fantastic, a few little extras can really make this holiday soup sing! If you have one handy, tossing in a bay leaf while it simmers adds a really lovely depth of flavor that’s subtle but oh-so-good. And for serving? Fresh parsley, chopped up and sprinkled right on top, just before you ladle it into bowls, makes it look as beautiful as it tastes. It adds a pop of color and a touch of brightness that’s just perfect for holiday meals.
Crafting Your Hearty Ground Beef Cabbage Soup for Thanksgiving, Christmas
Alright, let’s get this delicious soup made! It’s really not complicated, I promise. First thing’s first, you’ll want to grab a big pot or Dutch oven and toss in your pound of ground beef. Get that over medium heat and just let it brown up nicely. Once it’s all cooked through, carefully drain off any extra fat – nobody wants a greasy soup! Then, add your chopped onion right into the pot with the beef. Let that cook for about 5 minutes until it’s nice and soft and smells amazing. Now, toss in your minced garlic and give it a stir for just one more minute until you can really smell that garlic goodness. Be careful not to burn it!
Preparing the Savory Base
Start by browning that pound of ground beef in a large pot over medium heat. Once it’s nicely cooked, drain off any excess fat – this keeps the soup from being too oily. Then, add your chopped onion and cook it right there in the pot with the beef for about 5 minutes, until it’s soft and starting to smell wonderful. Next, stir in your minced garlic and let it cook for just another minute until it’s fragrant. That savory foundation is what makes this soup so special!
Simmering the Holiday Flavors
Now for the magic! Pour in your 8 cups of beef broth, the undrained diced tomatoes, your chopped cabbage, carrots, and celery. Sprinkle in that dried thyme and rosemary. If you’re using a bay leaf, now’s the time to toss it in! Give everything a good stir to combine all those lovely ingredients. Bring the whole pot up to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low. You want it to just gently simmer, covered, for at least 30 minutes. This is when all those flavors really get to know each other and the veggies get nice and tender. For tips on proper simmering techniques, you can refer to resources on food safety.
Final Touches and Seasoning
After that simmering time, give the soup a taste. This is crucial! Add salt and freshly ground black pepper until it tastes just right to you. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it out! If you decided to add fresh parsley, stir most of it in now. It gives the soup a lovely fresh flavor and a pop of color. Just save a little bit for garnish on top when you serve it!
Tips for the Perfect Hearty Ground Beef Cabbage Soup
Making this soup is pretty straightforward, but a few little tricks can really make it shine, especially for your holiday meals! It’s all about using good ingredients and letting the flavors do their thing. Trust me, these tips will help you make the absolute best version of this hearty ground beef cabbage soup.
Selecting the Best Ingredients
For the best flavor, go for lean ground beef – it makes a difference! And please, use fresh vegetables whenever you can. Fresh carrots and celery just taste so much better than pre-cut. A nice, fresh head of cabbage is key too; make sure it feels firm and heavy for its size.
Achieving Deeper Flavor Profiles
If you have homemade beef broth, definitely use it! It adds a wonderful richness that store-bought just can’t quite match. And don’t skip that optional bay leaf during simmering; it really does add a subtle layer of depth that makes the soup extra special for your holiday table.
Ensuring Tender, Delicious Vegetables
Chop your veggies into fairly uniform, bite-sized pieces. This helps them cook evenly. And a good simmer is crucial! Don’t rush it. Letting it bubble away gently for at least 30 minutes (or even a bit longer!) ensures the cabbage and carrots are perfectly tender, not mushy or crunchy.
Variations on Hearty Ground Beef Cabbage Soup for Holidays
This soup is so versatile, you can totally tweak it to fit your family’s tastes or use up any little bits of produce you have hanging around after the big holiday meals. It’s a great way to make it your own!
Adding Extra Holiday Flair
Want to make it even heartier? Toss in some diced parsnips or a chopped potato along with the carrots and celery. They soak up all those delicious flavors and make the soup even more substantial – perfect for a chilly holiday evening! Consider pairing it with a side of honey roasted carrots for a complete meal.
Spice and Herb Adjustments
If you like a little warmth, a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes added with the garlic can give it a nice little kick. You could also swap out some of the thyme or rosemary for other herbs like sage, which totally complements the beef and feels very festive for the holidays!
Serving and Storing Your Holiday Soup
This hearty ground beef cabbage soup is just wonderful served piping hot. Ladle it into your favorite bowls, and don’t forget that sprinkle of fresh parsley! It really makes it look so pretty and adds a bright, fresh flavor that’s just perfect for holiday meals. If you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), just let the soup cool down completely. Then, pop it into an airtight container and store it in the fridge. It’ll keep well for about three to four days. When you’re ready for another bowl, just gently reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave until it’s good and hot again.
Presentation for Your Holiday Meal
Serve this comforting soup piping hot in your best bowls. A generous sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley right before serving makes all the difference! It adds such a lovely pop of green and a burst of freshness that really elevates the whole presentation for your holiday meal.
Keeping Your Hearty Ground Beef Cabbage Soup Fresh
Once cooled, store any leftover soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator. It should stay delicious for about 3-4 days. To reheat, just gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat, or pop it in the microwave until it’s heated through. Give it a good stir before serving again!
Frequently Asked Questions About Hearty Ground Beef Cabbage Soup
Got questions about this cozy holiday soup? I’ve got answers!
Can I make this Hearty Ground Beef Cabbage Soup vegetarian?
Absolutely! To make this a vegetarian cabbage soup, just skip the ground beef and use a good quality vegetable broth instead of beef broth. You could even add some extra veggies like mushrooms or lentils for more heartiness!
How long can I store Hearty Ground Beef Cabbage Soup?
This soup keeps really well! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. It’s perfect for lunches throughout the week!
Can Hearty Ground Beef Cabbage Soup be frozen?
Yes, freezing ground beef soup is a great idea if you want to have it on hand. Let it cool completely, then store it in freezer-safe bags or containers. It’ll be good in the freezer for about 2-3 months. Just thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.
A Closer Look at the Nutritional Value
Here’s a general idea of what you’re getting in a serving (about 1.5 cups) of this hearty ground beef cabbage soup. Keep in mind these are estimates and can change a bit depending on the brands you use and if you add anything extra! You’re looking at around 350 calories, with about 18g of fat and a good 22g of protein to keep you full. It’s got roughly 25g of carbs and about 800mg of sodium. It’s a really satisfying and nutritious choice for your holiday table! For more information on nutritional values, you can consult resources like the MyFitnessPal database.
Hearty Ground Beef Cabbage Soup: 1 Amazing Holiday Comfort
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A comforting and flavorful ground beef and cabbage soup, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups beef broth
- 1 head cabbage, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large pot over medium heat. Drain fat.
- Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Pour in beef broth, diced tomatoes, cabbage, carrots, celery, thyme, and rosemary.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use homemade beef broth.
- Add a bay leaf during simmering for extra depth.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: ground beef soup, cabbage soup, holiday soup, Thanksgiving soup, Christmas soup, hearty soup, comfort food