Here’s a classic stuffed cabbage roll recipe — tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory, seasoned meat-and-rice filling, simmered in a rich tomato sauce. I’ll also include a keto/low-carb option if you want to skip the rice. 🥬🍅
🥘 Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Golubtsi / Holubtsi Style)
Ingredients
For the cabbage:
- 1 large head green cabbage
- Salt (for boiling water)
For the filling:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- ½ cup cooked rice (or use riced cauliflower for keto)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried parsley or dill (optional)
For the sauce:
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth (or water)
- 1 tsp sweetener (or sugar if not keto — balances acidity)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- ½ tsp paprika or smoked paprika (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the cabbage:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Core the cabbage and gently remove outer leaves.
- Submerge the whole head in boiling water for about 2 minutes.
- Peel off softened leaves and repeat until you have 10–12 leaves. Pat dry and cool slightly.
- Trim the thick vein from each leaf so they roll easily.
- Make the filling:
- In a large bowl, mix ground beef, rice (or cauliflower rice), onion, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and seasonings until combined.
- Assemble the rolls:
- Place about ¼ cup of filling in the center of each cabbage leaf.
- Fold sides over the filling, then roll up tightly from the stem end.
- Prepare the sauce:
- In a large skillet or saucepan, heat olive oil and sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
- Stir in tomato sauce, paste, broth, and seasonings. Simmer for 5–10 minutes.
- Cook the rolls:
- Layer cabbage rolls seam-side down in a large pot or baking dish.
- Pour sauce over the rolls until covered.
- Stovetop: Simmer covered on low for 60–75 minutes.
- Oven: Bake covered at 350°F (175°C) for 1½ hours.
- Serve:
Spoon extra sauce over the rolls and garnish with fresh parsley or sour cream.
Tips & Variations
- 🧄 Add a pinch of cinnamon or allspice for a Balkan flavor twist.
- 🍖 Swap in ground turkey or pork if you prefer lighter meat.
- 🧀 Add a bit of mozzarella or Parmesan to the filling for richness.
- 🥬 Keto version: Use cauliflower rice and low-sugar tomato sauce.
Would you like me to write a slow cooker or instant pot version next?
