Meaty Cabbage Soup

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Meaty cabbage soup is an uplifting and hearty winter warmer that’s packed with succulent chunks of beef, fresh vegetables and the distinctive flavor of cabbage. Here we’ll explore its origins, nutritional benefits and how to make it yourself at home.

History of Meaty Cabbage Soup

Cabbage has long been an important staple in various cultures around the world, first emerging from its cultivation in Mediterranean regions before quickly spreading throughout other areas. Cabbage soup has long been enjoyed in Eastern Europe; specifically Poland (kapusniak) and Russia (schchi).

Meaty cabbage soup likely originated in Eastern European regions where beef was an abundant protein source, before spreading worldwide and now being enjoyed across cultures and regions.

Nutritional Benefits of Meaty Cabbage Soup

Meaty cabbage soup is an incredibly nutritive meal, packed with antioxidants to prevent cancer and other conditions. Cabbage is an abundance of fiber, vitamins C and K as well as powerful anti-oxidants which may aid in cancer prevention.

Beef contains abundant amounts of protein, iron and vitamin B12. These nutrients help build and repair muscle tissue while supporting a healthy immune system. Vegetables like carrots, onions and celery contain additional vitamins and minerals which add to its nutritional value and contribute to making delicious soup dishes.

Making Meaty Cabbage Soup
Meaty cabbage soup is simple to prepare and can be tailored to suit individual preferences.

Ingredients:

1-inch pieces of a 1-pound beef chuck roast
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups beef broth
1 head cabbage, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 can diced tomatoes
1 tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper, to taste
Olive oil

Instructions:

Heat a large pot over medium-high heat, add some olive oil, and then the beef. Saute for around 5 minutes or until everything has become brown; remove from heat once done and set aside.

Bring onion and garlic together in a pot for at least five minutes until tender, or until using another method to soften.

Combine beef broth, cabbage, carrots, celery, tomatoes, thyme, salt and pepper in the pot until fully mixed. Give everything a good stir until everything has come together.

Bring the soup to a boil before reducing heat to maintain a simmer for at least 1-2 hours, until all of the meat and vegetables have become tender and soft.

Variations

There are many ways to customize meaty cabbage soup to your taste. Below are some variations to try:

Add Potatoes: Potatoes are an indispensable addition to a meaty cabbage soup. Simply peel and chop several potatoes before adding them to your pot with other vegetables.

Use Ground Beef Instead: In lieu of having a chuck roast available, ground beef can also be browned in your pot with onions and garlic for quick and easy meals.

Add Beans: For an extra dose of protein and fiber, incorporate kidney or cannellini beans into your soup recipe.

Add Spices: Experiment with various spices to add extra depth of flavor to your soup, such as paprika, cumin or bay leaves – they all provide great additions.