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    Home » Recipes » Soup Recipes

    Beef & Bacon Cabbage Roll Stew

    Published: Nov 12, 2017 · Modified: Jun 26, 2023 by Philip Lago and Mystique Mattai · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Bowl of Cabbage Roll Stew with Bread

    Hearty and comforting with notes of sweet and sour, our Cabbage Roll Stew holds true to its Polish heritage. But unlike traditional cabbage rolls, this stew requires no prepping of the meat mixture, no rolling and no baking.

    Side view of wooden board with two bowls of Cabbage Roll Stew and two slices of bread

    With the return of cold weather, Philip and I find ourselves gravitating back into the kitchen and craving dishes that are made together in the oven or over the stove. It takes us back to the beginning of our relationship where I'd collect heat in front of the pot boiling on the stove, stirring to keep myself warm as Philip gathered and prepped ingredients. It's this exact moment where I was honoured the title of sous chef in our kitchen, and am reminded as I warm up and stir Cabbage Roll Stew atop the stove.

    Hearty and comforting with notes of sweet and sour, our Cabbage Roll Stew is inspired by ingredients of beef mixed with rice, rolled in a cabbage leaf and baked until tender.  Created on a base of smokey and salty bacon, flavours of mirepoix, cabbage, and ground beef stew in a rich tomato sauce with splashes of tangy Worcestershire and cider vinegar before adding in brown rice.

    The best thing about this soup, aside from eating it of course, is the scent of cabbage rolls singing from the pot of stew as it simmers and melds into the ultimate one-pot fall recipe. Another thing we love about this cabbage roll stew is its ability to handle substitutions and swaps for all diners. Swapping ground beef for lentils, or brown rice for grated cauliflower or zucchini - the versatility of endless and the results are simply the same, the delicious taste of cabbage rolls without all the work.

    Bon appetit,

    Chef Sous Chef

    Flat lay of ingredients for Cabbage Roll Stew

    Ingredient List

    • Bacon
    • Ground beef
    • Onion
    • Carrots
    • Celery
    • Garlic
    • Green cabbage
    • Crushed tomatoes
    • Beef broth
    • Worcestershire sauce
    • Cider vinegar
    • Paprika
    • Allspice
    • Salt
    • Brown rice

    Recipe Steps: How to Make Beef and Bacon Cabbage Roll Stew

    Step 1. Preheat a large pot on medium heat. Cook the bacon until brown and starting to crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Saute with the bacon for 5 minutes, until tender. Add the ground beef breaking chunks off and spreading around the pan. Stir in the paprika and allspice and allow to cook for a few minutes until the meat is well coated and just starting to brown.

    Step 2. Add the cabbage to the meat  and combine. Pour in the cider vinegar and the Worcestershire sauce the give the mixture a good mix. Add the tomatoes, stir, then pour in the beef stock. Crank the heat to high and bring the stew to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 30 minutes and up to 3 hours.

    Step 3. Once you are about an hour from serving, remove the lid and stir in the brown rice. Cover and cook for an additional 45 minutes. Sprinkle in ¾ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Cook for a few more minutes, then taste for seasoning. Add more salt and pepper if necessary.

    Recipe Card

    Overhead of black bowl of Cabbage Roll Stew on a wooden board with a grey napkin, diced bread, and small bowl of parsley

    Beef and Bacon Cabbage Roll Stew

    5 from 1 vote
    Philip Lago and Mystique Mattai
    This Cabbage Roll Stew is the perfect accompaniment to any cold day. It’s hearty and comforting with notes of sweet and sour that awaken your senses. The smoke and saltiness of the bacon are complemented by the sweetness of cabbage and tart of the cider vinegar. Brown rice ensures that this stew will keep you full for hours.
    Servings: 8 servings
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 slices bacon
    • 300 g ground beef
    • 1 medium onion chopped
    • 1 large carrots chopped
    • 2 stalks stalks chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic chopped
    • 3 cups green cabbage
    • 1 can crushed tomatoes 796ml/28oz
    • 4 cups beef broth
    • 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon allspice
    • ¾ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup brown rice

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat a large pot on medium heat. Cook the bacon until brown and starting to crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Saute with the bacon for 5 minutes, until tender. Add the ground beef breaking chunks off and spreading around the pan. Stir in the paprika and allspice and allow to cook for a few minutes until the meat is well coated and just starting to brown.
    • Add the cabbage to the meat  and combine. Pour in the cider vinegar and the Worcestershire sauce the give the mixture a good mix. Add the tomatoes, stir, then pour in the beef stock. Crank the heat to high and bring the stew to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 30 minutes and up to 3 hours.
    • Once you are about an hour from serving, remove the lid and stir in the brown rice. Cover and cook for an additional 45 minutes. Sprinkle in ¾ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Cook for a few more minutes, then taste for seasoning. Add more salt and pepper if necessary.

    Recipe Notes

    You can have this soup on the table in an hour, but the longer you can let the stew simmer, the better. Swap out the beef for pork, turkey, or your favourite sausage meat. You can make it vegan by replacing the bacon and beef with lentils and the Worcestershire sauce with extra cider vinegar.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 188kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 826mg | Potassium: 487mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1768IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 2mg

    Additional Information

    Course: Appetizer, Soup
    Cuisine: American, European, Middle Eastern Inspired, north american
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 188
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and let us know!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Stephanie says

      November 17, 2017 at 6:46 pm

      So delicious. This is a perfect soup on a cold day!5 stars

      Reply
      • Chef Sous Chef says

        November 20, 2017 at 8:16 am

        It is perfect for winter! Thanks Stephanie!

        Reply
    2. Amanda says

      November 13, 2017 at 12:42 am

      Yay! I’ve been testing a lady cabbage role casserole but the thought I’d turning it into soup has crossed my mind a few times. My husband and I love these flavour so will be making shortly and reporting back! Looks delicious, Friends!

      Reply
      • Chef Sous Chef says

        November 13, 2017 at 7:47 am

        Thanks Amanda. Please do tell us what you think! Happy cooking.

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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