This Instant Pot Cabbage Roll Soup is everything I love about classic cabbage rolls. It’s comforting, hearty, and deeply flavorful without the extra time and work of rolling and stuffing. Think of it as a cozy unstuffed cabbage roll soup that delivers all the nostalgic flavors in a much easier, weeknight-friendly way.
As far as instant pot recipes go, this one checks all the boxes: minimal prep, big flavor, and leftovers that somehow taste even better the next day. Whether you’re cooking in an Instant Pot or another electric pressure cooker, this soup comes together quickly and is perfect for busy nights, cold weather, or anytime you want a bowl of something warm and satisfying.
why you’ll love this recipe
- It captures all the flavors of traditional cabbage rolls in a simple soup
- Made in one pot which means less cleanup, more enjoyment
- Flexible with proteins like ground turkey, ground pork, or even sausage
- Easy to adjust the thickness if you prefer a thinner soup
- Stores beautifully in the fridge or freezer
Ingredients and helpful notes
- Ground beef – adds rich, hearty flavor. You can substitute ground turkey for a lighter option, ground pork for more richness, or mild sausage if you want extra seasoning built in.
- Olive oil – to sauté the aromatics and start the flavor base. Avocado oil works just as well.
- Onion and garlic – brings natural sweetness and depth to balance the tomatoes and gives the soup flavor.
- Carrots – Adds sweetness, texture, and a classic cabbage roll feel.
- Canned Tomatoes – this keeps the soup clean and balanced. You can add 1–2 tablespoons tomato paste if you want a richer, thicker broth.
- Green cabbage – The star of the soup. Medium size chunks hold their texture best under pressure.
- Broth – Use beef or chicken broth. If you prefer a thinner soup, add an extra ½–1 cup broth after cooking.
- Bay leaf – Adds subtle depth. Don’t skip it, but remember to remove before serving.
- Fresh thyme – gives the soup a cozy, herb-forward flavor. Dried thyme works too (use about ½ teaspoon).
- Salt & pepper – season generously, cabbage loves salt.
how to make instant pot cabbage roll soup
- Turn instant pot on sauté mode. Add the oil, when hot add ground beef, onion and garlic. Season the beef with salt, pepper and fresh thyme and sauté until meat is brown but not necessarily cooked through (about 10 minutes)
- Add remaining ingredients; carrots, puréed tomatoes, cabbage, broth and bay leaf. Give it a good stir.
- Cover the instant pot. Cancel sauté mode and lock valve. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. When done allow for NPR. 10 minutes of natural pressure release should be plenty, then quick release remaining pressure.
- Garnish Cabbage Roll Soup with fresh herbs and serve.
Stove Top Instructions (Optional)
✨ No pressure cooker? No problem. You can make this on the stove top by browning the meat in a large pot, adding all ingredients, and letting the soup simmer gently for about 30–35 minutes until the cabbage is tender and the flavors come together.
How to serve cabbage roll soup
This soup is delicious on its own, but if you want to stretch it further:
- Use brown rice for a heartier, fiber-rich option
- Spoon it over cauliflower rice for a lighter bowl
- Explore with garlic fried rice for an explosion of flavor.
What to serve with cabbage roll soup
Instant Pot Cabbage Roll Soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb grass-fed ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups carrots, sliced or diced
- 14 oz puréed tomatoes* pure no sugar added
- 1/2 head green cabbage, chopped into medium chunks
- 32 oz broth* whole30, keto approved
- 1 bay leaf
- fresh thyme
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Turn instant pot on sauté mode. Add oil, when hot add ground beef, onion and garlic. Season with salt, pepper and fresh thyme. Sauté until meat is brown but not necessarily cooked through (about 10 minutes)
- Add remaining ingredients; carrots, puréed tomatoes, cabbage, broth and bay leaf. Give it a good stir.
- Cover the instant pot. Cancel sauté mode and lock valve. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. When done allow for NPR.
- Garnish Cabbage Roll Soup with fresh herbs and serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can you share more about your spoon handle?
Hi Teani, the spoon was a gift. I know my niece bought it for me when she was visiting South Africa. I haven’t seen anything like it around, many people have asked me the same question so I spent some time looking around the internet for something similar and to date I haven’t found anything.
I’m assuming that the broth called for is beef broth or is it something else?
You can use beef or vegetable broth, they both work good!