Sweet And Sour Beef Cabbage Soup
A hearty sweet and sour beef cabbage soup with tender vegetables and savory flavors, perfect for comforting family dinners or gatherings needing a flavorful, satisfying dish.
Ingredients
- 2 qt. water ⓘ
- 3/4 c. diced cooked roast beef ⓘ
- 1 c. chopped onion ⓘ
- 1 c. chopped tomato ⓘ
- 1/2 c. shredded cabbage ⓘ
- 1/2 c. sliced celery ⓘ
- 1/3 c. chopped carrot ⓘ
- 1 c. sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 c. cider vinegar ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. browning sauce ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp. tomato sauce ⓘ
- 6 beef bouillon cubes ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. dried thyme ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour ⓘ
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven, combine water, diced cooked roast beef, chopped onion, chopped tomato, shredded cabbage, sliced celery, chopped carrot, sugar, cider vinegar, browning sauce, Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, beef bouillon cubes, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until vegetables are tender.
- In a small bowl, combine flour and oil until well blended.
- Stir the flour mixture into the soup.
- Simmer until the soup is slightly thickened.
- Serve hot.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of soy sauce or a dash more Worcestershire sauce. If you don’t have beef bouillon cubes, you can use a beef broth instead. To enhance the sweetness, try adding diced apples or a touch of honey. Also, feel free to substitute vegetables based on what you have on hand, such as adding bell peppers or green beans.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this hearty soup with a slice of crusty bread or over a bed of rice for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Aunt Georgie'S Stew as a side dish. You can also garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro to brighten the flavors. For a delightful contrast, consider serving a simple green salad on the side.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover Sweet and Sour Beef Cabbage Soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove over medium heat until hot, or microwave in short intervals, stirring in between. If the soup thickens too much, add a splash of water or broth to reach your desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sweet And Sour Beef Cabbage Soup contains roughly 291 calories, with 11g protein, 55g carbohydrates, and 3g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (96% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (64% of the Daily Value), and iron (34% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1642mg per serving (71% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use raw beef instead of cooked roast beef?
Yes, you can use raw beef, but you will need to adjust the cooking time. Brown the beef in the Dutch oven before adding the other ingredients, and ensure it cooks through before serving. This will add a deeper flavor to the soup.
Is there a vegetarian version of this soup?
Absolutely! You can replace the beef with hearty vegetables like mushrooms or tempeh, and use vegetable broth instead of water. Additionally, swap out the sugar with maple syrup or agave nectar for sweetness without the animal products.
How can I make this soup spicier?
To add some heat, consider incorporating red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce. You can also add diced jalapeños or a splash of sriracha for a more pronounced kick. Adjust to your taste to find the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).