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This keto cabbage soup has the cozy flavor of classic cabbage roll soup, but with a simpler one-pot method — no rolling required.
Made with green cabbage, ground beef, and tomatoes, it’s warm, hearty, and perfect for busy weeknights – especially when you want comfort without the carbs.
It’s a quick, one-pot meal that tastes even better the next day, and it freezes beautifully – exactly what every mom (and anyone juggling work, kids, and real life) needs.
Serve it with a slice of avocado, a sprinkle of Parmesan, or even a dollop of sour cream if you like things creamy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One pot, 35 minutes, genuinely filling. Ground beef, cabbage, and tomatoes — this is the soup I make when I need something hearty without spending an hour in the kitchen.
- It tastes like cabbage roll soup without the work. All the same cozy flavors, none of the rolling. My family asks for this regularly.
- Freezes perfectly. I make a double batch and freeze half — it reheats exactly as good as fresh.
Ingredients for Keto Cabbage Soup
- olive oil
- onion, chopped
- garlic, minced
- ground beef (or ground turkey)
- shredded green cabbage
- carrot, diced (optional for keto dieters)
- celery, chopped
- canned tomatoes, diced
- broth (beef broth, chicken broth, or vegetable broth)
- salt
- black pepper
- paprika
- oregano
- thyme
- bay leaf (optional)
- grated Parmesan cheese (for serving, optional)
How to Make Keto Cabbage Soup
Start by heating olive oil in a large pot and sautéing the onion and garlic for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add the ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and brown it completely — don’t rush this step, the browning builds the flavor base. Once the meat is ready, stir in the spices, diced tomatoes, and shredded cabbage.
Pour in the broth, add the bay leaf, and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 25 minutes until the cabbage is tender and the broth is rich. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving — a splash of Worcestershire or soy sauce at the end adds a nice depth if you want extra umami.
Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Method
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode.
- Add oil and ground beef, cooking until browned.
- Stir in onion and garlic, cooking for another 2 minutes.
- Add the rest of the ingredients (except Parmesan cheese).
- Close the lid, set valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.
- Quick release pressure, remove the bay leaf, and stir.
- Serve warm, garnished with Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips for Success
- For extra creaminess, stir in a spoonful of heavy cream or sour cream before serving.
- Don’t skip browning the meat. It adds a deep, rich flavor base.
- Use a good-quality broth. It makes all the difference.
- Add a splash of Worcestershire or soy sauce for extra umami.
- For a thicker soup, simmer uncovered for the last 5 minutes.
Storage and Reheating
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Warm on the stovetop or in the microwave until hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Ground turkey, pork, or even chopped ham all work well.
Absolutely. Cabbage is low-carb, high-fiber, and perfect for keto soups.
Yes – use veggie broth and skip the meat. Add mushrooms or lentils for texture.
Add extra veggies like zucchini or bell peppers, or top with shredded cheese or avocado slices.
Yes, it freezes and reheats beautifully – perfect for meal prep.
Serving Ideas
- This soup is satisfying on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with:
- A sprinkle of Parmesan or chili flakes for extra kick
- A fresh green salad or cauliflower mash
- Keto garlic bread or almond flour crackers
Keto Cabbage Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 6 cups shredded cabbage
- 15 oz diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp oregano
- ½ tsp thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 5 cups beef broth
Video
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a pot. Sauté onion and garlic for 2–3 minutes.
- Add ground beef, season, and cook until browned.
- Add spices, tomatoes, and cabbage. Stir well.
- Pour in broth, add bay leaf, and simmer 25 minutes until cabbage is tender.
- Adjust seasoning and serve warm with Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Use lean beef for a lighter version or higher fat for richer flavor.
- Add carrot or celery for extra nutrients (optional for keto).
- To thicken, simmer uncovered for 5 minutes at the end.
This Keto Cabbage Roll Soup makes about 12 one-cup servings. Each serving contains around 145 calories and roughly 5 net carbs, depending on the exact ingredients you use. If you choose a higher-fat ground beef or add vegetables like carrots or celery, the calorie count may increase slightly, but it will still remain a light and balanced meal that fits easily into most low-carb or keto plans. What type of ground beef? Lean beef (85–90%) gives a lighter broth. Higher fat (80%) adds richer flavor — skim excess fat after browning if needed. Can I use other vegetables in this cabbage soup?
Definitely. Even though this soup already includes onion, garlic, tomatoes, and cabbage, you can easily make it your own by adding more vegetables. Keep in mind that adding extra veggies can slightly change the nutritional profile and make it a bit less keto-friendly. Still, if you are not strictly tracking carbs, carrots, celery, zucchini, or bell peppers are excellent additions. How can I make it more flavorful? Brown the meat well and use quality beef broth. Deglaze with a splash of broth after browning to capture all the flavor from the bottom of the pot. Instant Pot method — See the full Instant Pot method in the post above.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What, no celery & carrots??? All key ingredients and still very healthy for you too!!! Not to mention broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini & yellow squash…
It’s billed as a “keto” soup and the additions you mention add to the carb count, possibly knocking it our of a keto designation. This looks like the type of recipe that for a person who is not on Keto, they can add whatever they want. But by the very wording of the title, the author chose to keep the recipe within the Keto carb count.
Yes, any additions can and will increase the carb count.
Awesome!
After a few months of peeling pounds with only cheese, egg, onion, jalepeño ‘n ground venison omelets, an occasional beefsteak when I’m feelin froggy ‘n twice-a-day walking (am down from 255lb to 215lb) and only 35lb more to go (180lb target), this dish’ll make that last bit much more bearable. I used Hunt’s fire roasted ‘n diced tomatoes with only 21 carbs in a 14.5oz can. 100% carb free can get boring. Some of U know what I mean.
I tossed in a sprig of fresh dill & 7-10 fresh basil leaves at the last stage, FYI.
Great! This is my favorite soup!
I’m making this now in my instant pot but see that you instruct to set for 20min. However, when I cook regular cabbage soup, I only set for 8 minutes. Since the meat is already cooked, I’m concerned the 20 minutes my over cook it. Thoughts?
Hi, you can try 8 minutes instead. I don’t like firm cabbage, this is why I cook it for 20 min. I also do quick release. Do you let the pressure release manually?
I added a few items to the recipe to send it over the top! I added a chopped up strip of bacon to saute with the onions and garlic before adding the ground beef. I added 1 tsp of garlic, and 1/2 tsp of cinnamon to the spice ingredients. Adding these two additional spices gives the recipe more of a Mediterranean flare. It’s one of the best soups I’ve made to date!
Easy soup to make and oh so good! Will try other soup recipes on this site!
Thank you!
This soup is absolutely delish! I used 2 10 ounce cans of cubed Rotella with chilis to add a little more kick! Too lazy to shred my own cabbage, I just bought a 14 ounce bag of slaw cabbage with carrots. Otherwise, followed the recipe. 5 stars for sure!
Thanks! Glad you liked it!
how many more carbs would it be if I added carrots and maybe celery
I carrot is around 6 grams, 1 celery stalk around 2-3, divide by the total servings and add to total carbs. Not many more, if you only add 1-2 small carrots and a celery stalk.