Easy Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup: A Hearty Comfort Meal with All the Flavors of Classic Cabbage Rolls Made Simple

ER Kent
Sep 21, 2025
4 min read

There’s nothing like a big pot of warm, hearty soup simmering away in the slow cooker, especially when it has all the cozy flavors of cabbage rolls without any of the tedious rolling. This easy slow cooker cabbage roll soup takes tender cabbage, smoky bacon, savory beef, and sweet carrots, and transforms them into a rustic and deeply flavorful dish that tastes like it’s been simmering on the stove all day. The best part? Your slow cooker does almost all the work.

Every spoonful delivers the perfect balance: smoky bacon, rich beef, fire-roasted tomatoes, tangy tomato sauce, sweet carrots, and fluffy rice all tied together with aromatic herbs. Whether you grew up with cabbage rolls at the dinner table or you’re just discovering them now, this soup makes the classic dish infinitely easier to prepare while still tasting every bit as satisfying.

Why This Recipe Is My Favorite

This soup takes me back to family dinners where cabbage rolls were a staple, but it saves me the time-consuming work of boiling cabbage leaves, stuffing them, and rolling them just right.

Instead, all of those wonderful flavors come together in one pot of soup that’s every bit as comforting. Plus, the slow cooker makes it effortless. I can prep everything in the morning, turn it on, and come back to a bubbling pot of homemade goodness by dinnertime.

History and Fun Facts About Cabbage Rolls

Cabbage rolls have a long history across many cultures. From Eastern European golabki to Middle Eastern malfouf, stuffed cabbage has been beloved for centuries.

Each region puts its own spin on the dish, but at its core, it’s always about stretching simple, hearty ingredients like cabbage, meat, and rice into a filling, comforting meal. This soup version takes that tradition and reimagines it for modern kitchens, where convenience often matters just as much as tradition.

The Role of Each Ingredient

Onion forms the aromatic base of the soup and adds sweetness as it cooks with bacon.
Bacon brings smoky depth and a savory richness that enhances the broth.
Ground beef or turkey provides the hearty protein and classic cabbage roll flavor.
Garlic adds sharpness and fragrance to every bite.
Carrots give subtle sweetness and extra body to the soup.
Cabbage is the star of the dish, tenderizing in the broth and adding mild, earthy flavor.
Fire-roasted tomatoes provide tang and a smoky note that makes the broth shine.
Tomato sauce thickens and enriches the soup with concentrated tomato flavor.
Beef broth is the base that carries all the flavors, making the soup rich and savory.
Rice soaks up the broth, adding texture and substance.
Worcestershire sauce brings umami depth, tying everything together.
Smoked paprika, thyme, parsley, and marjoram create a well-rounded seasoning with warmth, herbal freshness, and a hint of smokiness.
Salt and pepper balance the flavors.
Bay leaves infuse the broth with subtle flavor as it cooks.

Substitution Tips and Advice

If you prefer a lighter soup, swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. For extra smoky flavor, use smoked sausage in place of bacon.

You can also experiment with the rice — try brown rice, wild rice, or even quinoa. And if you want to make it lower-carb, skip the rice altogether and add extra vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms.

Time and Money-Saving Tips

Save time by buying pre-chopped onions, carrots, and even shredded cabbage from the store.

Using fire-roasted canned tomatoes eliminates the need for extra seasoning since they’re already full of flavor.

To stretch the soup further for a big family, simply add more broth and vegetables.

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions

This soup stores beautifully, making it a great option for meal prep. Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days, and the flavors actually deepen as it sits.

To reheat, simply warm it on the stovetop over medium heat or microwave individual portions until hot. If the soup has thickened too much, just add a splash of broth or water to loosen it back up. While this soup can be frozen, keep in mind that the rice will continue to absorb liquid and may become softer once thawed and reheated.

If you’d like to freeze it, consider cooking the rice separately and adding it in fresh when serving. You can also prepare the ingredients — chop the vegetables, cook the bacon and beef — a day ahead of time, then combine everything in the slow cooker when you’re ready to cook.