This is the best beef and cabbage soup recipe for a cold night, cozied up by the fire. This easy cabbage soup recipe is nourishing during the winter season as we rest and hibernate until spring. This hearty soup was inspired by my mother-in-law, who passed before I could know her on earth. It was my husband’s favorite soup. I hope this delicious soup recipe can bless you and your family!

a bowl of beef and cabbage soup with herbs on the table

Restoration

We live in a busy culture here in the United States. A culture that prides itself on working hard and never taking time to rest. We may go on vacations but even vacations can be exhausting. If you are feeling tired from running after your kids all day or working long hours at work, I encourage you to take a moment and make yourself a nourishing bowl of beef and cabbage soup.

If you read this during the winter season, remember that winter is a time of hibernation and restoration. It’s important to slow down, sleep more, and eat good food that nourishes your body as you reflect on the year. As animals and trees rest during the winter, so should we. Eating a hearty cabbage soup is one of my favorite ways to nourish myself during the winter season. For more information on how to eat during the winter season, check out our winter food guide here!

Nourishing

We restore ourselves during the winter with rich, nutrient-dense meals. Soups and stews are ideal for the season because they are warming and easy to digest.

This beef and cabbage soup is high in protein and iron, which restores our muscles and blood cells. Cabbage cleanses our liver, gallbladder, and digestive system. Together, they work to balance our energy, reducing fatigue and foggy brain.

Bone broth is added for extra nutrition, collagen, and minerals. It also increases important amino acids that nourish and heal our digestive system. As a doctor of oriental medicine, I often recommend daily servings of bone broth to my patients because of its nourishing and restorative properties. Making beef and cabbage soup is an easy way to incorporate daily servings of bone broth. If you are sensitive to bone broth, make a GAPS Diet meat stock instead. Meat stock is lower in histamines and easier to digest.

Additionally, potatoes are used for their grounding properties and mineral content. They are a hearty crop that stores well throughout the winter months. Potatoes are grown underground, which means they contain potassium and magnesium, which have a calming effect on the nervous system. Combining beef, cabbage, bone broth, potatoes, and spices makes this recipe a nutrient-dense meal!

Women’s Health and Postpartum

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), women who are experiencing irregular periods such as short cycles, early periods, light flow, heavy flow, etc. should nourish themselves with warm, cooked foods that are high in animal protein and minerals. The same should be said for postpartum moms! Women and moms need extra nourishment that is easy to digest. This beef and cabbage soup is a great recipe to add to your weekly menu.

Ladies, consider eating the hot soup before and during your menses. This will help regulate your flow and make you feel energized rather than depleted after you complete your menses.

Postpartum moms, keep this soup in rotation for the first six weeks postpartum. It’s also a great soup to make ahead and freeze for easy meals after the baby arrives!

Traditional Chinese Medicine Principles

Temperature: Warming

Flavor: Sweet, Acrid, slightly bitter

Organs: Spleen, liver, kidney, stomach, large intestine

Actions: Supplements Qi and blood, nourishes yin, moves fluids, strengthens bones and sinews, drains damp

Good for helping with edema and nourishing the body due to deficiency or illness; for women before and after menses, it may help with lower back and knee pain, and it is good for constipation (especially the elderly and women) and detox.

Beef and Cabbage Soup Recipe

This easy soup recipe can be made in three ways: in the crock pot, pressure cooker, or an enameled Dutch oven. It calls for stew meat, but you could also use ground beef, round roast, or other tender chunks of beef available at your grocery store or local butcher. Fresh herbs in this soup add a nice flavor, but dried herbs will be just as good!

Equipment you will need:

Slow cooker, Instant Pot, or large pot
Wooden spoon

Ingredients you will need:

1 pound Beef stew meat or chuck roast cut into cubes
1 tbsp Avocado Oil or Olive oil
½ cup chopped Onion
2 cloves Garlic, minced or 2 teaspoons garlic powder
½ small head of Cabbage, chopped
1 cup white Potato, diced
1 tsp fresh or dried Thyme
1 tsp fresh or dried Sage
8 cups Beef Bone Broth or Beef Stock
½ tsp Salt (add more to taste)
¼ tsp Black Pepper

Stove Top Instructions

In a large stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Then add the onions and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes until onions are translucent.
Add the beef and brown for 30 seconds-1 minute on each side.
Add the rest of the ingredients- cabbage, potatoes, bone broth, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper to taste.
Simmer on medium heat for 1-1 ½ hours until meat and cabbage is tender.

Slow Cooker Instructions

Optional: In a large skillet, heat avocado oil on medium-high heat. Add meat and brown on all sides- usually 30 seconds to a minute on each side. Once meat is done (it does not need to be fully cooked through), add a small amount of beef broth to the pan and scrape the bottom to scrape up any brown bits that stuck on when cooking the meat. Pour meat and broth into the slow cooker. (This will add more flavor to your soup)
Combine all ingredients listed into the slow cooker.
Set slow cooker on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours.
Meat should be fork tender when done. Add more salt and pepper if needed.

Instant Pot Instructions

Turn on Instant Pot to SAUTE mode. Add avocado oil when pot is hot and add meat in one even layer. Brown the meat on all sides- usually 30 seconds to one minute on each side. Continue this until all meat has been browned. Remove meat from the pot.
Add the onions and garlic to the pot and saute for 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent or soft.
Add one cup of broth to the pot and scrape the bottom of the pot to get any brown bits that stuck on from the meat.
Now add back the meat and all other ingredients. Stir and place lid on with valve sealed.
Select CANCEL and then MANUAL mode. Turn the time to 60 minutes.
Once the time is complete, allow the instant pot to release pressure naturally if possible. Otherwise, manually release the pressure valve but be careful of the steam!

Store soup in an airtight container for 5 days.

I hope you enjoy this easy cabbage beef soup recipe! If you would like more easy recipes check out the links below! We have lots of homemade soups for busy weeknights.

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