Golumpki Soup Recipe | Polish Stuffed Cabbage Soup – Easy One-Pot Dinner
It’s not just Italian, Mexican, or Chinese soups that are delicious; many other soup recipes are truly amazing, easy to make, and incredibly tasty. Today, I’ll be discussing a very popular soup recipe from Poland called Golumpki soup, also known as Golabki soup in the traditional Polish language. This Golumpki soup recipe is very common in Central and Eastern Europe.
This Golumpki Soup recipe, also known as stuffed cabbage soup or Polish cabbage roll soup, delivers everything people love about classic gołąbki — tender cabbage, savory ground meat, tomato-rich broth, and hearty rice — in one easy, satisfying pot.
It’s filling without being heavy, packed with protein, made from simple pantry ingredients, and perfect for budget-friendly family dinners, meal prep, and cozy weeknight meals. It’s also one of my favorite comfort food recipes. Unlike overly processed or bland cabbage soups, this authentic-style Golumpki soup balances rich tomato flavor with subtle sweetness, slow-simmered cabbage, and well-seasoned ground beef (or pork or turkey). It’s a very popular high-protein soup and one of the best one-pot dinner ideas.
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Golumpki Soup Recipe (Polish Stuffed Cabbage Soup)
Warm, hearty, and deeply comforting, Golumpki Soup (also called Gołąbki Soup or Stuffed Cabbage Soup) delivers all the classic flavors of traditional Polish cabbage rolls—without the rolling. This one-pot soup is packed with tender cabbage, seasoned ground meat, tomato broth, and rice, making it a budget-friendly, high-protein comfort food perfect for family dinners, meal prep, and cold-weather cravings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground pork / turkey)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups green cabbage, chopped
- 1 cup uncooked white rice (or brown rice)
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups beef broth (low sodium)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sugar (balances acidity)
- 1 bay leaf
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 tsp dried dill or parsley
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Red pepper flakes (for heat)
Instructions
- Brown the Meat
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed. - Build the Flavor Base
Add onion and garlic. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and translucent. - Add Cabbage & Seasoning
Stir in chopped cabbage, paprika, salt, pepper, sugar, and bay leaf. Cook for 2 minutes to soften slightly. - Create the Soup
Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, rice, and beef broth. Stir well. - Simmer
Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30–35 minutes until rice is tender and cabbage is soft. - Taste & Adjust
Remove bay leaf. Adjust seasoning and garnish with herbs if desired.
Notes
- Chop cabbage evenly so it cooks uniformly.
- Use long-grain rice to avoid mushy soup.
- Add a splash of broth when reheating—rice absorbs liquid.
- For richer flavor, use a mix of beef and pork.
- This soup tastes even better the next day.
Variations
- Low Carb Golumpki Soup: Replace rice with cauliflower rice.
- Slow Cooker Version: Brown meat first, then cook on LOW for 6–7 hours.
- Instant Pot Golumpki Soup: Pressure cook on HIGH for 8 minutes.
- Vegetarian Cabbage Roll Soup: Use lentils and vegetable broth.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 361Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 1110mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 5gSugar: 8gProtein: 27g
Suggested: Chicken Cobbler Recipe
What Is Golumpki Soup?
Golumpki Soup—also known as Gołąbki Soup, stuffed cabbage soup, or Polish cabbage roll soup—is a comforting, one-pot meal inspired by traditional Polish gołąbki, which are cabbage rolls stuffed with seasoned meat and rice, simmered in a rich tomato sauce. Instead of rolling and stuffing cabbage leaves one by one, this soup transforms the same classic ingredients into an easy, hearty, and family-friendly soup recipe.
Think of Golumpki Soup as unstuffed cabbage rolls in soup form. You still get tender cabbage, savory ground meat, fluffy rice, onions, garlic, and a tomato-based broth—but with significantly less prep time and cleanup. That’s why it’s one of the most loved budget-friendly dinner recipes and a favorite among home cooks looking for easy soup recipes that deliver big comfort with minimal effort.
Traditionally rooted in Polish and Eastern European cuisine, this soup has become especially popular in North America as a high-protein comfort food that fits modern lifestyles.
Because it uses affordable pantry staples like cabbage, ground beef, rice, and canned tomatoes, Golumpki Soup is often recommended as a cheap dinner idea, a family meal on a budget, and a reliable option for feeding a crowd without sacrificing nutrition or flavor.
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Ingredients Need for Golumpki Soup Recipe
Main Ingredients (Classic & Authentic)
- Ground Beef – The foundation of traditional Polish cabbage roll soup. Ground beef adds richness, protein, and that hearty comfort food flavor people expect from classic golumpki. You can also use ground pork or turkey for a lighter, budget-friendly dinner option.
- Green Cabbage – Fresh green cabbage is essential for authentic golabki soup. It softens beautifully during simmering and provides fiber, volume, and nutrition, making this a filling yet healthy soup recipe.
- White Rice – Rice gives this unstuffed cabbage roll soup its classic texture. Long-grain white rice works best because it holds its shape and absorbs flavor without turning mushy — ideal for meal prep and leftovers.
- Crushed Tomatoes – Tomatoes create the signature savory-sweet broth found in traditional Polish soup recipes. They add acidity, depth, and that familiar cabbage roll taste.
- Tomato Paste – A small amount intensifies flavor and thickens the broth, making this soup taste slow-cooked and rich without extra effort.
- Onion & Garlic – These aromatics build the flavor base. They’re essential for turning simple ingredients into a crave-worthy comfort food soup.
- Beef Broth – Low-sodium beef broth keeps the soup savory while allowing you to control salt. This also boosts protein content, helping this dish qualify as a high-protein soup recipe.
Seasonings That Make It Taste Like Real Golumpki
- Paprika – A staple in Eastern European cooking that adds warmth and subtle depth.
- Salt & Black Pepper – Essential for balancing the tomatoes and cabbage.
- Bay Leaf – Adds slow-simmered aroma and classic soup flavor.
- Sugar (Just a Pinch) – This is not optional. A small amount balances tomato acidity and gives this cabbage roll soup its signature flavor.
Optional Add-Ins & Variations
- Dried Dill or Parsley – For a traditional Polish finish.
- Smoked Paprika – Adds depth and elevates the soup for modern palates.
- Cauliflower Rice – Ideal for a low-carb or keto golumpki soup.
- Lentils or Plant-Based Crumbles – For a vegetarian stuffed cabbage soup variation.
Every ingredient in this Golumpki Soup recipe is chosen for flavor, affordability, and real-life cooking success.
Suggested: Authentic Pernil Recipe
How to Make Golumpki Soup (Step-by-Step)
Brown the Meat for Deep Flavor
Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground beef (or pork/turkey) and cook until fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
Drain excess grease if needed. Properly browning the meat is key for Polish cabbage roll soup that tastes rich, hearty, and satisfying.
Sauté Onion and Garlic
Add chopped onion to the pot and cook for 2–3 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
This aromatic base is essential for authentic stuffed cabbage soup flavor and gives the broth that classic Eastern European depth people love in comfort food soup recipes.
Add Cabbage and Seasonings
Stir in chopped green cabbage, paprika, salt, black pepper, sugar, and bay leaf. Cook for 2–3 minutes to slightly soften the cabbage and bloom the spices.
The small amount of sugar doesn’t make the soup sweet — it simply balances the acidity of tomatoes, which is a classic trick in traditional golabki soup.
Add Tomatoes, Rice, and Broth
Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, uncooked rice, and beef broth. Stir well to combine everything evenly.
This transforms the pot into a true one-pot golumpki soup, combining protein, vegetables, and grains.
Simmer Until Tender
Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30–35 minutes. The rice should be tender, the cabbage soft, and the broth rich.
This slow simmer is what gives Polish cabbage roll soup its comforting, homemade taste — perfect for family dinners, meal prep soup, or cozy weeknights.
Taste, Adjust, and Serve
Remove the bay leaf and taste the soup. Adjust salt, pepper, or broth as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley or dill if desired.
Your golumpki soup recipe is now ready — all the flavors of traditional stuffed cabbage rolls, without the rolling. Hearty, comforting, and perfect for anyone looking for easy soup recipes that actually deliver on flavor.
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Golumpki Soup Recipe Variations (Easy, Budget-Friendly & High-Protein Options)
One reason Golumpki Soup (also known as Polish stuffed cabbage soup or cabbage roll soup) loved as comfort food soup recipes is how flexible it is.
Slow Cooker Golumpki Soup
This slow cooker stuffed cabbage soup is perfect if you want a hands-off, family dinner. Brown the meat first, then add everything to the crockpot and let it simmer low and slow. The flavors deepen beautifully, making it ideal for meal prep soups and freezer-friendly dinners.
Instant Pot Golumpki Soup
Short on time? This Instant Pot golumpki soup delivers the same rich, comforting flavor in under 30 minutes. Pressure cooking keeps the cabbage tender without overcooking the rice, making it a favorite for quick weeknight dinners and easy one-pot meals.
Low-Carb & Keto Golumpki Soup
For low carb cabbage soup or keto comfort food recipes, simply replace rice with cauliflower rice. You still get all the classic Polish cabbage roll flavor with fewer carbs, making this version ideal for healthy soup recipes and weight-conscious eaters.
Vegetarian Stuffed Cabbage Soup
This vegetarian cabbage roll soup swaps meat for lentils or beans while keeping the tomato-cabbage base intact. It’s hearty, filling, and perfect for everyone looking for plant-based dinner ideas that still feel comforting and satisfying.
These variations make golumpki soup one of the most adaptable Eastern European soup recipes you can cook at home. No matter which version you choose, you’re getting a high-protein, budget-friendly dinner that reheats well, feeds a crowd, and actually fits real life.
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What to Serve with Golumpki Soup
One of the reasons Golumpki Soup (also known as stuffed cabbage soup or Polish cabbage roll soup) is so popular is because it’s already a complete, hearty meal. Packed with ground meat, tender cabbage, rice, and tomato broth, this high-protein comfort food doesn’t need much — but the right side dishes can turn it into a truly satisfying family dinner.
🍞 Bread & Starches
- Crusty bread or artisan sourdough
- Traditional rye bread (classic Polish pairing)
- Garlic bread or buttered rolls
- Mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles
🥗 Light & Fresh Sides
- Cucumber salad with dill
- Simple green salad with vinaigrette
- Coleslaw or vinegar-based cabbage salad
- Pickled vegetables or sauerkraut
🧈 Traditional Comfort Add-Ons
- Sour cream (a classic Polish topping)
- Fresh chopped parsley or dill
- Extra cracked black pepper
- A drizzle of olive oil or melted butter
🥩 Protein Boost Options
- Smoked sausage or kielbasa slices
- Roasted chicken or pork cutlets
- Hard-boiled eggs (Eastern European style)
- High-protein dinner rolls
No matter how you serve it, Golumpki Soup works beautifully as a budget-friendly dinner, a meal prep soup, or a comforting option for cold nights. Choose sides based on how hungry your crowd is — this soup is flexible, forgiving, and always satisfying.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Golumpki Soup or Golabki Soup
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