Crockpot Cabbage Soup with Beef is a hearty, comforting, and easy one-pot meal packed with tender cabbage, lean ground beef, fresh vegetables, and savory beef broth. It is a wonderful recipe for busy days because most of the work is done before the slow cooker takes over.

With simple ingredients and a rich, flavorful broth, this soup makes a satisfying family dinner that is especially comforting on a chilly day.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are plenty of reasons to keep this recipe in your regular meal rotation:

It uses simple, everyday ingredients.
The slow cooker does most of the cooking.
Lean ground beef makes the soup hearty and filling.
Cabbage adds plenty of texture and flavor.
Celery, carrot, onion, and garlic create a flavorful vegetable base.
Everything cooks together in one crockpot.
It makes 6 servings, making it ideal for family meals.
Leftovers are convenient for lunch or another dinner.

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
½ onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium head cabbage, chopped
5 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt

Understanding the Ingredients

Lean Ground Beef

The 1 pound of lean ground beef provides the protein and hearty texture for this soup. Browning the beef before adding it to the crockpot gives it a deeper, more developed flavor.

Onion

The ½ chopped onion adds natural sweetness and savory flavor. Cooking it with the beef allows the flavors to blend before everything goes into the slow cooker.

Celery

The 2 stalks of chopped celery provide a mild, fresh vegetable flavor and add texture to the finished soup.

Carrot

The 1 chopped carrot contributes natural sweetness and color. It also becomes tender during the slow cooking process.

Garlic

The 2 minced garlic cloves add an aromatic, savory note that complements both the beef and the vegetables.

Cabbage

The 1 medium head of cabbage is the star vegetable of this recipe. As it cooks, the cabbage becomes tender while absorbing the flavors of the beef broth and seasonings.

Beef Broth

The 5 cups of beef broth create the soup’s savory base. A good-quality broth will give the finished soup a richer flavor.

Italian Seasoning

Although this is a cabbage and beef soup, 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning works beautifully with the beef and vegetables, adding a blend of aromatic herbs.

Salt

1 teaspoon of salt enhances the flavors of the ingredients. Depending on the saltiness of your beef broth, you can adjust the seasoning to taste when the soup is finished.

How to Make Crockpot Cabbage Soup with Beef

Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef

Place 1 pound of lean ground beef in a medium skillet over medium heat.

Cook the beef while breaking it apart with a spoon or spatula.

Continue cooking until the beef is mostly cooked through.

Step 2: Add the Onion

Add the ½ chopped onion to the skillet with the beef.

Continue cooking until the beef is completely cooked through and the onion has softened.

This step helps develop the flavor before the ingredients enter the slow cooker.

Step 3: Drain the Grease

Once the beef is fully cooked, carefully drain off any excess grease.

This keeps the finished soup from becoming unnecessarily greasy while allowing the beef flavor to remain.

Step 4: Transfer to the Crockpot

Add the cooked beef and onion mixture to a 5-quart crockpot.

Spread it evenly across the bottom.

Step 5: Add the Vegetables

Add the following ingredients directly to the crockpot:

2 stalks chopped celery
1 chopped carrot
2 cloves minced garlic
1 medium head chopped cabbage

There is no need to cook these vegetables separately.

Step 6: Add the Broth and Seasonings

Pour 5 cups of beef broth into the crockpot.

Add 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning and 1 teaspoon salt.

Give everything a gentle stir so the ingredients and seasonings are distributed throughout the broth.

Step 7: Slow Cook

Cover the crockpot with its lid.

Cook on HIGH for 4 hours.

During this time, the cabbage and vegetables will become tender while the beef and seasonings infuse the broth with savory flavor.

Step 8: Serve

Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the lid and stir the soup.

Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately.

Helpful Tips

Chop the vegetables evenly

Try to cut the celery and carrot into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly.

Don’t skip browning the beef

While it adds an extra step, browning the ground beef before placing it in the crockpot helps develop a richer flavor.

Give the cabbage enough room

A medium head of cabbage may look like a lot when you first add it to the crockpot. Don’t worry. It will soften and reduce significantly as it cooks.

Taste before serving

Different brands of beef broth contain different amounts of sodium. Taste the finished soup before adding additional salt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

Yes. Ground turkey can be substituted for the lean ground beef. The flavor will be somewhat lighter, but the vegetables and seasonings will still make a flavorful soup.

Can I use a different type of cabbage?

Yes. Green cabbage is the most straightforward choice, but other cabbage varieties can also work. Cooking times and texture may vary slightly.

Can I add other vegetables?

Absolutely. This soup can be customized with vegetables such as diced tomatoes, zucchini, green beans, or bell peppers. However, adding extra ingredients may change the amount of liquid needed.

Can I cook this on LOW instead?

Yes, slow cookers vary, so the cooking time can differ. If using LOW, cook until the vegetables and cabbage are tender and the soup is thoroughly heated.

Can I make this soup ahead of time?

Yes. This soup is convenient to prepare ahead because the flavors can continue to meld as it sits. Store it properly in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly before serving.

How should I store leftovers?

Allow the soup to cool appropriately, then transfer it to airtight containers and refrigerate. Reheat individual portions on the stovetop or in the microwave until hot.

Can I freeze cabbage soup?

Yes. Once cooled, the soup can be portioned into freezer-safe containers and frozen. Leave some space at the top of the container because liquids expand as they freeze.

What to Serve with Cabbage Soup

Although this soup is filling on its own, you can serve it with:

Crusty bread
Dinner rolls
Garlic bread
A simple green salad
Crackers
Cornbread

For a lighter meal, simply serve the soup on its own.

Recipe Summary

Recipe: Crockpot Cabbage Soup with Beef
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Servings: 6
Crockpot Size: 5-quart
Cooking Setting: HIGH

Final Thoughts

Crockpot Cabbage Soup with Beef is a wonderfully simple comfort-food recipe that turns basic ingredients into a satisfying meal. The combination of lean ground beef, tender cabbage, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, beef broth, and Italian seasoning creates a savory soup with plenty of homemade flavor.