Keto Beef Cabbage Soup Recipe: A Hearty and Healthy Winter Staple

This keto cabbage soup is a hearty and flavorful meal, packed with stewed beef and vegetables, perfect for staying warm and satisfied. Soups are a great way to incorporate various combinations of vegetables and proteins like beef or chicken, making them a satisfying and nutritious option. This particular keto cabbage soup not only tastes delicious but also offers various health benefits due to the vitamins and minerals found in the vegetables.

Why This Keto Cabbage Soup?

This recipe is an easy way to enjoy the rich, hearty flavor of cabbage rolls without the fuss of wrapping them. It's simpler than it looks, tastes excellent, and provides plenty of leftovers. Cabbage is naturally low in carbohydrates and high in fiber, making it an ideal ingredient for a keto diet.

One serving of this keto cabbage soup contains only 3 grams of carbohydrates and 1 gram of fiber, resulting in just 2 net carbs. This makes it a perfect, guilt-free way to fill up.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here's what you'll need to make this delicious soup:

• Stew beef chunks: These are beef chunks, usually cut into cubes, that become soft and tender when cooked. Ground beef or ground turkey can also be used as a substitute.
• Cabbage: Aim for one medium-sized head of cabbage. Green cabbage, savoy cabbage, or even red cabbage can be used. Note that red cabbage will slightly alter the color of the soup.
• Olive oil: Used for browning the beef.
• Beef broth: You can use stock, broth, water, or a combination of these. Bone broth, diluted beef bouillon cubes, beef bouillon paste, chicken broth, or even vegetable stock are all viable options. For a LOW HISTAMINE version, use homemade pressure-cooked bone broth or veggie stock.
• Spices: Cayenne pepper, bouillon powder, thyme, salt, and ground crayfish are used for flavoring.
• Ground crayfish: This West African ingredient adds a unique, earthy, traditional flavor.
• Dairy-free cream cheese (optional): To add creaminess to the soup, consider using dairy-free cream cheese made from nuts, such as Miyoko’s Creamery Cream Cheese or Kite Hill Cream Cheese. Homemade cashew or cauliflower cream can also be used as a nut-free alternative.
• Other vegetables: Onions, carrots, celery, red bell pepper, and diced tomatoes enhance the flavor and nutritional value of the soup. You can also add extra veggies like zucchini or bell peppers.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here are a couple of ways to make it.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Instant Pot Method

1. Pour olive oil into the Instant Pot and add the beef. Season with salt and black pepper. Brown the meat on high heat for a few minutes until browned.
2. Add the red bell pepper, tomato paste, and spices.
3. Press the manual mode on the Instant Pot and set it to 45 minutes. Allow 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure.
4. After the Instant Pot counts down 45 minutes, do a quick release. Use a wooden spoon to carefully move the vent at the top from the sealing to the venting position.
5. Open the Instant Pot and switch to sauté mode. Adjust salt and spices to taste.
6. Add the cabbage and simmer for 5-10 minutes, until softened. The Instant Pot will automatically switch to the warming function, which provides enough heat to soften the cabbage.

Slow Cooker Method

1. Use the sauté function and lightly spray the bottom of the pan. Brown the meat and drain off any grease, turn the sauté function off.
2. Add remaining ingredients, stir well.
3. Secure the lid to the instant pot and make sure the steam valve is CLOSED.
4. Set the pressure cooker cycle for 15 minutes. It will take the machine 15-20 minutes to get up to pressure before the 15 minute cook cycle begins.

Stovetop Method

1. Brown the beef: In a large cast iron Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat olive oil. Season beef cubes with salt and pepper and brown the meat on all sides. It's important not to skip browning the meat, as this adds depth of flavor to the soup. You don’t have to dredge in flour to do this.
2. Prepare vegetables for braising: Cut 1/2 onion, 1 carrot, and 1 piece of celery into large chunks. Add these to the meat along with the beef broth.
3. Braise the meat: Cook on low heat for one hour. Remove and discard the braising vegetables.
4. Add tomatoes and seasonings: Add a can of San Marzano tomatoes (cutting up the tomatoes first, but including the juice). Add bay leaves and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Simmer: Cook for 30 minutes on low heat.
6. Prepare vegetables for the final process: Cut the cabbage into two-inch pieces. Dice the remaining onion and slice the remaining celery and carrots.
7. Final part of the soup: Add the carrots, celery, and onion to the beef soup after removing the first set of vegetables. Cook for twenty minutes.
8. Add cabbage: Add the cabbage and continue cooking for 20 to 30 minutes more, until the cabbage is just softened. Be careful not to overcook the cabbage, as you don't want it to become mushy.
9. Season: Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Ground Beef Variation

1. In a large soup pot, brown the ground beef. Set aside and drain any excess grease from the pot, leaving approximately 2-3 tablespoons.
2. Over medium/high heat, sauté onion, celery, carrot, and green pepper in the grease. Add more oil if needed.
3. Once the vegetables are tender, add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
4. Return the ground beef to the pot and add brown mustard, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Stir well.
5. Add beef broth, crushed tomatoes, and thyme. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
6. Add cabbage and simmer until cabbage is tender (10-15 minutes).
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Tips for the Best Keto Cabbage Soup

• Don’t skip browning the meat: This step is crucial for developing a rich, deep flavor.
• Use a good-quality broth: The broth forms the base of the soup, so using a high-quality broth will make a big difference in the overall taste.
• Be flexible with broth options: You can use bone broth, beef stock, diluted beef bouillon cubes, beef bouillon paste, chicken broth, or even vegetable stock.
• Use your favorite cabbage variety: This low-carb cabbage soup is excellent with green cabbage, savoy cabbage, or even red cabbage.
• Consider adding a Tex-Mex flair: Add spices and ingredients commonly found in Tex-Mex cuisine for a unique twist.

Serving and Storing

This recipe makes a generous amount of soup, perfect for leftovers.

• Storage: After allowing the soup to cool, store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing: This soup freezes and reheats beautifully, making it ideal for meal prep. Freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Thaw the soup completely before reheating. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring periodically. Individual bowls can be reheated in the microwave in 30-second increments.

Health Benefits of Cabbage Soup

Cabbage soup offers several health benefits:

• Low in carbs and keto-friendly: With only 2 net carbs per serving, this soup is perfect for those following a keto or low-carb diet.
• High in fiber: Cabbage is a good source of fiber, which aids digestion and promotes satiety.
• Rich in vitamins and minerals: The vegetables in the soup provide essential vitamins and minerals, contributing to overall health.
• Gut health: Bone broth, often used in this recipe, improves gut health due to its collagen content.
• Anti-inflammatory: Bone broth also has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Nutrient-dense: Bone broth is rich in collagen, glycine, proline, and glutamine, all of which offer various health benefits.

Is Cabbage Really Keto-Friendly?

Absolutely! Cabbage is naturally low in carbohydrates and high in fiber, making it a perfect vegetable for keto soups and other dishes.

Variations and Additions

• Vegetarian: To make this soup vegetarian, use veggie broth and skip the meat. Add mushrooms or lentils for texture.
• Spicy: Add more cayenne pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicier kick.
• Filling: Add extra veggies like zucchini or bell peppers, or top with shredded cheese or avocado slices.

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

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tags: #keto #beef #cabbage #soup #recipe