Craving cozy comfort in a bowl? This Golumpki Soup captures all the hearty, old-world flavors of Polish stuffed cabbage rolls without the fuss. It’s rich, savory, and ready in under an hour—perfect for chilly nights or quick family dinners.
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What Is Golumpki Soup?
Golumpki Soup is the warm, satisfying cousin of traditional Polish stuffed cabbage rolls. Instead of layering and rolling cabbage leaves, everything simmers together in one pot. You’ll taste tender cabbage, juicy Italian turkey sausage, and a tomato-rich broth infused with garlic, paprika, and thyme. The rice softens as it cooks, making the texture thick and comforting. This soup offers the same nostalgic flavors of classic Golumpki, but it’s much faster to make. Plus, it’s even better the next day when the flavors deepen and blend beautifully.
Why You’ll Love This Golumpki Soup
You’ll love this soup because it’s hearty, flavorful, and incredibly easy. There’s no need to roll cabbage leaves or prep fancy layers—just toss everything into one pot and let it simmer. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, yet tastes like it’s been cooking all afternoon. This family-friendly meal freezes well, reheats beautifully, and pairs perfectly with a slice of crusty bread. The tomato base adds a gentle sweetness that balances the smoky sausage and savory cabbage, creating a nostalgic flavor that feels like home.
Key Ingredients for Authentic Flavor
Italian turkey sausage gives this soup its savory punch while keeping it lean. You can easily swap it for pork sausage if you prefer a richer flavor. Chopped green cabbage adds body and heartiness, while the uncooked rice helps thicken the broth and create that classic stuffed-cabbage texture. Tomato paste and diced tomatoes bring depth and natural sweetness. The V8 juice and beef broth blend to form a rich, layered base enhanced by Worcestershire sauce. A mix of thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper ties everything together with a hint of warmth. You can use purple cabbage for a fun twist or low-sodium broth for a lighter version. Every ingredient builds comfort and flavor into every spoonful.
How to Make Golumpki Soup
Brown the Sausage
Start by browning the Italian turkey sausage in a large stock pot over medium heat. This step creates a deep, savory base. Let it cook until it’s nicely browned and a bit crispy around the edges—this adds flavor that carries through the soup.
Sauté the Aromatics
Next, stir in the chopped onion and cook until softened. Then add diced cabbage and let it cook for two to three minutes, just until it starts to wilt. The combination of sausage, onion, and cabbage already smells like comfort.
Develop the Tomato Base
Move the mixture to the sides of the pot and drop the tomato paste in the center. Cook it for one to two minutes until it turns a deep red color. This caramelization builds a rich, sweet tomato flavor. Stir in minced garlic, letting it cook just until fragrant.
Add Liquids and Simmer
Pour in diced tomatoes, V8 juice, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, rice, and seasonings. Give everything a good stir and bring it to a light boil. Then, reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. The rice and cabbage should be tender, and the broth thick and flavorful.
Taste and Adjust
Before serving, taste and adjust the seasoning. Add more salt or pepper as needed. If the soup thickens too much, stir in a splash of warm broth to loosen it.
Cooking Tips and Recipe Notes
For the best flavor, brown the sausage thoroughly before adding the other ingredients. Toast the tomato paste until it darkens—it adds a lovely depth and sweetness. Add the uncooked rice toward the end to keep it from turning mushy. If the soup thickens in the fridge, simply reheat it with a bit of extra broth. The flavors actually get richer overnight, making it ideal for meal prep. This soup freezes beautifully, so consider doubling the batch. For lighter flavor, use low-sodium broth and V8 juice.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
Serve this Golumpki Soup with crusty bread or buttered rolls—it’s perfect for soaking up that tomato-rich broth. A crisp side salad adds a nice fresh contrast. For variations, try purple cabbage for a colorful presentation or parboiled rice if you like a firmer texture. You can even make it in a slow cooker—after browning the sausage, combine everything and let it cook until the cabbage is soft and the flavors blend perfectly. For more cozy ideas, check out my creamy and comforting sausage potato soup or this hearty Italian penicillin soup next.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
- Slow cooker Mexican chicken soup
- The best white bean soup recipe
- Absolutely ultimate potato soup recipe
- Creamy pumpkin soup recipe
Conclusion
Golumpki Soup brings all the cozy charm of traditional Polish stuffed cabbage rolls into a simple, one-pot meal. It’s hearty, comforting, and packed with familiar flavors your family will love. Make a big batch for Sunday dinner or meal prep—it reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day. Follow me on Pinterest for more wholesome soups and family favorites that make cooking easy and enjoyable.
Golumpki Soup
Equipment
- Large stock pot For browning sausage and simmering the soup
- Wooden spoon To stir and prevent sticking
- Ladle For serving
- Cutting board For chopping onions and cabbage
- Chef’s knife To chop vegetables easily
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground Italian turkey sausage
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 small to medium green cabbage, diced
- ½ cup uncooked rice
- 2-3 tablespoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups V8 juice
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Brown the sausage in a large stock pot over medium heat until fully cooked and slightly crisp on the edges.
- Add chopped onion and cook until softened. Stir in diced cabbage and cook for 2–3 minutes until it begins to soften.
- Push ingredients to the sides and cook tomato paste in the center of the pot until it darkens, about 1–2 minutes. Stir in minced garlic.
- Add rice, diced tomatoes, V8 juice, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings. Stir and bring to a light boil.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25–30 minutes until cabbage and rice are tender. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
