Description
A heartwarming and comforting dish perfect for cozy nights, this Unstuffed Sweet and Sour Cabbage with Meatballs features tender meatballs and softened cabbage in a rich, tangy tomato broth. It’s a simple, one-pot meal that balances sweetness and acidity.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Soup:
- 1 large Diced Onion
- 2 lbs Green Cabbage, chopped
- 15 oz Tomato Sauce
- 28 oz Canned Tomatoes, with juice
- 1 cup Water (or broth)
- ¼ cup Honey
- ¼ cup Lemon Juice
- ⅓ cup Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp Hungarian Paprika
- Raisins (optional)
- For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb Ground Beef or Turkey
- 2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 Egg
- ½ cup Grated Onion
- ½ cup Uncooked White Rice
Instructions
- In a large stock pot, combine diced onion, chopped cabbage, tomato sauce, canned tomatoes with juice, water, honey, lemon juice, brown sugar, paprika, and optional raisins.
- Heat the mixture over medium-high heat until it boils.
- In a separate bowl, mix ground meat, Worcestershire sauce, salt, egg, grated onion, and uncooked rice.
- Form the meat mixture into walnut-sized balls and drop them into the boiling soup.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2 hours.
- Remove the lid, add raisins if desired, and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
- Serve hot with freshly ground black pepper and crusty bread.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- This dish can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Reheat on the stove over medium heat, adding a splash of water if needed.
- Thaw frozen portions overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Prepare the soup base up to 24 hours in advance.
- Meatballs can be mixed and shaped up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Soup
- Method: One-pot cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg