Hearty Golumpki Soup Recipe – A Comforting Polish-Inspired Classic

Hearty Gołąbki Soup

A Comforting Polish-Inspired Classic

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (or beef/pork mix)

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced

• 4 cups green cabbage, chopped

• 1 cup uncooked rice

• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes

• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

• 6 cups beef broth

• 1 tbsp paprika (sweet Hungarian preferred)

• 1 tsp salt, or to taste

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp sugar (optional, balances tomatoes)

• 1–2 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar

• Optional: bay leaf, fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Brown the meat

   • Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.

   • Add ground meat and cook until browned.

   • Drain excess fat if needed.

2. Build flavor

   • Add onion and cook until soft.

   • Stir in garlic; cook 30 seconds.

3. Add cabbage & seasoning

   • Stir in chopped cabbage, paprika, salt, pepper, and bay leaf (if using).

   • Cook 3–5 minutes until cabbage starts to soften.

4. Soup it up

   • Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, and rice.

   • Bring to a gentle boil.

5. Simmer

   • Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender.

6. Finish

   • Stir in lemon juice or vinegar and sugar (if using).

   • Taste and adjust seasoning.

   • Remove bay leaf.

How It Should Taste

Savory, slightly tangy, tomato-rich with tender cabbage and hearty rice — exactly like grandma’s stuffed cabbage, just in a bowl 🥬🍅

Tips & Variations

• More traditional: Use half beef, half pork

• Low-carb: Swap rice for cauliflower rice (add near the end)

• Slow cooker: Brown meat first, then cook on LOW 6–8 hours

• Even better next day — flavors deepen overnight

Serve With

• Crusty bread or rye

• A dollop of sour cream

• Fresh chopped parsley on top