Here’s a detailed, reliable home-style version.
🥬 Classic Cabbage Rolls (Stuffed Cabbage)
🍽️ Ingredients
For the rolls
- 1 large head of Cabbage
- 500 g ground beef or lamb (or mixed)
- 1 cup cooked Rice
- 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 2–3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 egg (helps bind filling)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika (optional)
- 1 tsp cumin (optional, gives warm flavor)
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
For the sauce
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cups tomato purée or crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups water or broth
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp sugar (balances acidity)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Optional: lemon juice or vinegar splash for brightness
🔪 Step 1: Prepare the cabbage
- Bring a large pot of water to boil.
- Carefully place the whole cabbage head into the water.
- Boil for 5–10 minutes until leaves soften.
- Peel off leaves one by one as they loosen.
- Trim the thick stem at the base of each leaf so they roll easily.
💡 Tip: If leaves are too stiff, boil a bit longer or microwave the cabbage for a few minutes.
🥣 Step 2: Make the filling
In a large bowl, mix:
- ground meat
- cooked rice
- onion, garlic
- egg
- spices and herbs
Mix gently until everything is evenly combined (don’t overmix or it becomes dense).
🌯 Step 3: Roll the cabbage
- Take one cabbage leaf.
- Place 1–2 tablespoons of filling near the base.
- Fold sides inward.
- Roll tightly like a burrito.
Repeat until all filling is used.
🍅 Step 4: Prepare the sauce
- Heat oil in a pan.
- Sauté onions until soft.
- Add tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes.
- Add crushed tomatoes, water/broth, salt, pepper, and sugar.
- Simmer for 10 minutes.
🍲 Step 5: Cook the cabbage rolls
- Place a few unused cabbage leaves at the bottom of a large pot (prevents burning).
- Arrange rolls tightly in layers.
- Pour sauce over the top until mostly covered.
- Cover and simmer on low heat for 45–75 minutes.
💡 Alternative: Bake at 180°C for about 1 hour (covered with foil).
🍽️ Serving suggestions
- Serve with yogurt or sour cream
- Pair with crusty bread or mashed potatoes
- Add extra sauce on top for moisture
⭐ Pro tips
- Adding a bit of lemon juice or vinegar to the sauce brightens flavor.
- Letting cabbage rolls rest 10–15 minutes after cooking improves texture.
- You can freeze them before or after cooking.
If you want, I can also give you:
- vegetarian cabbage rolls
- Pakistani-style spicy version
- slow cooker method
- or a no-rice low-carb version