Beef and Cabbage Rice Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 yellow onion
peeled and thinly sliced into half-moons
- 1 teaspoon sugar
optional
- 1 pound ground beef
90/10
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 2 teaspoons dry thyme
- 3 teaspoons Turkish fig spread
or fruit preserves of your choice
- 1 cup white rice
uncooked
- 1 small head savoy cabbage
trimmed, cored, and thinly sliced
- 10 cups water or chicken stock
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh dill
- Sour cream
Directions
- 1
Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, melt the butter and add the onions. Cook, stirring regularly, for 15 minutes until they soften and the edges begin to darken.
- 2
If the pot seems dry, add another teaspoon of oil. Turn the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, for 15–20 minutes until well-browned and thoroughly cooked through. Season with salt, pepper, crushed red pepper, and thyme. Add the fig spread and stir to incorporate. Cook an additional 1–2 minutes.
- 3
Add the white rice, reserved caramelized onions, and the thinly sliced cabbage to the pot. Season the cabbage with a few shakes of salt. Pour the water or stock over and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir the soup occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking.
- 4
Remove the lid from the pot, taste the soup, and season to your preferences. Simmer an additional 10 minutes, uncovered. If the soup is too thick, add another splash of water or stock to the pot.
- 5
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh dill or parsley. If you like, serve with a dollop of sour cream. Enjoy!
Beef and Cabbage Rice Soup
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 28 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving a hearty, satisfying meal that comes together quickly on a busy weeknight? This Beef and Cabbage Rice Soup delivers comforting flavors with an unexpected twist that will have everyone asking for seconds. It's the perfect solution for a flavorful, wholesome dinner without a lot of fuss.
What truly elevates this beef and cabbage rice soup above the ordinary is the clever inclusion of fruit preserves. Just a few spoonfuls deepen the savory notes of the ground beef and cabbage, adding a subtle complexity that makes the soup incredibly flavorful and unique. The combination of tender ground beef and rice creates a wonderfully filling and complete meal.
Expect a deeply savory, warming bowl of soup with a rich broth that hints at a touch of sweetness from the preserves, balanced by a gentle warmth from the crushed red pepper. The tender ground beef and soft, thinly sliced savoy cabbage meld seamlessly with fluffy white rice, creating a comforting texture in every spoonful. It’s a wonderfully balanced and substantial soup, ideal for chasing away the chill or simply enjoying a nourishing home-cooked meal.
This recipe is quite versatile. While Turkish fig spread adds a distinctive touch, you can easily swap it for your favorite fruit preserves like apricot, plum, or even a berry blend to create a slightly different flavor profile. For a richer base, always opt for chicken stock over water if available. You can also adjust the amount of crushed red pepper to suit your preference for heat, or omit the optional sugar entirely if your chosen preserves are already sweet enough.
Serve this cozy beef and cabbage rice soup hot, garnished generously with fresh dill and a dollop of cool sour cream. It’s a complete meal on its own, perfect for a family dinner or a comforting evening at home.