Stuffed cabbage leaves are a hearty and comforting dish enjoyed by many cultures around the world. The combination of savory filling wrapped in tender, slightly chewy cabbage leaves makes this a satisfying meal. Whether you prefer a traditional Eastern European version with ground beef, rice, and vegetables, or a Mediterranean-inspired filling with lamb, pine nuts, and herbs, there is a stuffed cabbage leaf recipe out there to suit every taste. This article will provide you with helpful tips and guidance to create the perfect stuffed cabbage leaves, including how to choose the right cabbage, prepare the filling and the leaves, and cooking techniques to ensure your dish turns out tender, flavorful, and packed with goodness. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and impress your family and friends with this classic culinary delight!
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
SARMA - BOSNIAN STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES
There are different versions of this recipe from all over the Balkans. You may be able to get sour cabbage from an Eastern European market; if not, you can boil the cabbage heads until soft enough to work with (the dish will taste slightly different - maybe add some vinegar to the broth). It is a very filling dish! Don't worry about leftovers, they taste just fine reheated (use the stove, not the microwave)!
Provided by IronChefZahra
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 3h30m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Separate the cabbage leaves, being careful not to tear them.
- Mix meat, rice, onion, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Place about a tablespoon or more (use your own judgment based on the size of the leaves) of the meat mixture into each cabbage leaf, near its base.
- Begin rolling the leaf from the base into a thick cylinder, tucking in the sides after the first "roll."
- Layer the cylinders tightly into a medium-sized or large pot.
- Cover the sarma with beef stock or water (I find that if you use water, it makes its own broth anyways with the meat as it cooks).
- Cover the pot, bring to a boil, and simmer for at least three hours.
- Serve with butter and sour cream, with or without some of the cooking liquids according to your preference.
- *Boiled potatoes are often eaten with sarma, and they go quite well together.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 226.5, Fat 5.2, SaturatedFat 2, Cholesterol 58.1, Sodium 100, Carbohydrate 28.3, Fiber 5.8, Sugar 9.3, Protein 18.3
SARMALE (STUFFED CABBAGE OR VINE LEAVES)
This recipe is a very traditional Moldovan recipe. My mother and my grandmother used to cook it at almost every Moldovan holy day and sometimes on a casual day. I love it! If you cannot find parsley root, you may substitute parsnip or turnip.
Provided by RodicaG
Categories Main Dish Recipes Stuffed Main Dish Recipes Stuffed Cabbage
Time 1h45m
Yield 5
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Place rice in a medium bowl, and pour boiling water over it. Let soak for 15 minutes, then drain.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, parsley roots, onions and tomato paste. Cook and stir until the vegetables are tender. Transfer the vegetables to the bowl with the rice.
- Heat 2 more tablespoons of oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork, and cook for about 2 minutes, just until browned on the outside. Transfer to the bowl with the rice and vegetables; season with dill and black pepper. Stir until everything is well blended. Set the mixture aside to cool.
- Carefully remove the leaves from the head of cabbage, and place them in a large pot with about 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, until tender and flexible.
- Remove the cabbage leaves from the pot, but leave enough in the bottom to cover. On each of the remaining leaves, place about 2 tablespoons of the pork and rice mixture in the center, and wrap the leaf around to cover. Place the stuffed cabbage leaves into the pot.
- When the pot is full, place a few boiled cabbage leaves over the top. Pour boiling water into the pot to cover the cabbage rolls, and place over medium-low heat. Cover, and simmer for about 30 minutes, until the rice is tender.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 917.4 calories, Carbohydrate 126.5 g, Cholesterol 104.4 mg, Fat 21.3 g, Fiber 11 g, Protein 54 g, SaturatedFat 4.4 g, Sodium 275.4 mg, Sugar 15.3 g
SARMA, STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES FROM DALMATIA
This is from Saveurs de Croatie and is highly recommended by my dear friend in Serbia who says "We always want to take big pot home" when her mother in law makes it and invites the family.
Provided by Annacia
Categories Pork
Time 2h30m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Remove any wilted or bruised leaves from the cabbage and cut out the center core.
- Pour boiling water over the cabbages to soften.
- Meanwhile, in the oil, sauté the bacon and onion until the bacon is cooked.
- Add minced garlic.
- Beat the egg and add the salt, pepper, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, ground beef, pork or ham and half the tomatoes.
- Add the bacon mixture and rice and combine thoroughly.
- Separate the cabbage leaves and drain.
- Place a heaping tablespoon of stuffing at the core end of each cabbage leaf and roll up carefully, tucking in the ends.
- Layer the rolls in a Dutch oven or heavy kettle.
- Chop up the small unused leaves and place on top.
- Pour the remaining tomatoes and juice over top and add enough water to cover the rolls.
- Cover and simmer for 2 to 2-1/2 hours.
STUFFED RED CABBAGE LEAVES (ROTKOHLROULADEN)
Make and share this Stuffed Red Cabbage Leaves (rotkohlrouladen) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Connie K
Categories Pork
Time 1h5m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Clean cabbage, removing the main stem; Plunge cabbage in a large saucepan of boiling salted water.
- After 4 or 5 minutes, carefully remove outer leaves; Repeat 2 or 3 times or until all leaves have been removed.
- Melt margarine in a small skillet; add half the onion; saute until transparent.
- In a medium bowl, combine breadcrumbs, ground meats, sauteed onion, egg, salt and pepper.
- Divide stuffing into 8 portions.
- Taking 2 cabbage leaves at a time, roll or pound gently to soften ribs; Place leaves one inside the other.
- Spread one portion of stuffing over surface, stopping well short of edges.
- Roll leaves up neatly into a little package; Repeat with remaining leaves and stuffing.
- Heat fat or shortening in a large skillet; Add cabbage rolls; saute gently.
- Add remaining onion and mushrooms, if desired.
- Dissolve flour in stock; add to skillet.
- Cover and cook gently over low heat 40 minutes, stirring occasionally; Season with salt and pepper; Add half and half; stir to blend.
- Place on a warm serving dish; spoon sauce over cabbage rolls.
- Serve with creamed potatoes and a salad.
STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES (KAALDOLMER)
Stuffed cabbage leaves are popular all over the world, and in Scandinavia cabbage leaves are filled with well-seasoned tidbits. This recipe can be prepared in advance and reheated in their sauce just before serving. This recipe is from Scandia's in Los Angeles, and the recipe is from "A Treasury of Great Recipes" by Mary & Vincent Price. This is great served with mashed potatoes and buttered green beans as a main dish, or it can be used as an appetizer serving the individual rolls.
Provided by breezermom
Categories Pork
Time 2h15m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Cut the core from a large cabbage and cook in salted water for 15 minutes. Drain, cool slightly, and remove 24 large outer leaves.
- Simmer 2 tbsp rice in 2 cups milk for 40 minutes. Cool.
- Mix 1/2 lb ground pork, 1/2 lb ground veal or sirloin, and 1 tsp salt. Gradually beat in 5 eggwhites, one at a time, beating vigorously after each addition. Slowly add the rice mixture to make a smooth creamy filling. Stir in 1/4 tsp ground white pepper and 1 medium onion, minced.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Cut the heavy thick part of the stalks from the cabbage leaves. Take one leaf at a time and overlap slightly to close up the opening left by removing the stalk. Put a tablespoon of the meat filling on each leaf. Roll leaf over once, turn sides over filling, then roll to the end of leaf, completely enclosing the filling.
- Arrange the rolls in a buttered baking pan (9x12 1/2 inches). Add 1 10 1/2 oz can of beef consomme and spread each roll with 1/2 tsp molasses. Bake in the moderately hot oven for 30 minutes. Turn each roll and bake for 30 minutes longer.
- Arrange the cabbage rolls side by side in a warm serving casserole.
- For the sauce:.
- Stir into liquid remaining in pan: 1/2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water. Cook over direct heat, stirring, for 2 minutes. Pour the sauce over the cabbage rolls.
STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES
I used the large outside leaves of my huge cabbage for these Greek-inspired rice-and-herb-filled cabbage rolls. Those leaves are too tough for many other preparations, but they're perfect for stuffing.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and blanch the cabbage leaves, a few at a time, for 2 to 3 minutes, until they are flexible. Transfer from the pot to a bowl of cold water, then drain and set aside. Cut out the thickest part of the base of the center rib by notching a 1- to 1 1/2-inch V at the base. This will make the leaves easier to roll up.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large nonstick skillet and add the onion and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until it is tender but not browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the pine nuts and garlic, stir together and add the drained rinsed rice. Stir for a minute or two, until you hear the rice begin to crackle, then remove from the heat. Toss with the herbs, salt and pepper and 1 tablespoon olive oil. To gauge how much salt you will need, use the amount that you would use when cooking 1 1/4 cups of rice.
- Lightly oil a heavy flame-proof or lidded skillet. Place a leaf on your work surface in front of you, with the wide ribbed bottom closest to you. Place 2 rounded tablespoons of the rice mixture on top of the leaf. Roll the leaf over once, and tuck in the sides. Continue to roll the leaf into a tight package. Place in the pan. Fill and roll the remaining leaves and pack them into the pan. You will probably need to stack two layers of the filled leaves.
- Whisk together the lemon juice, remaining oil and tomato paste with 2 tablespoons water. Season to taste with salt. Pour over the cabbage rolls. Add enough water to barely cover the rolls and top with a layer of lemon slices. Invert a plate and place it on top of the rolls to keep them wrapped and in position. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, cover the pan, turn the heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, at which point the cabbage leaves will be tender and the rice cooked. Remove from the heat and carefully remove the stuffed leaves from the water to a platter or to plates with a slotted spoon or tongs. Taste the liquid left in the pot and adjust the seasoning. Serve the rolls warm with the liquid from the pot as a sauce.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 314, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 47 grams, Fat 13 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 6 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 624 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams
STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES
Provided by Bryan Miller
Categories dinner, main course
Time 30m
Yield About 15 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Boil the cabbage whole in a large pot of water for three to five minutes, or until the leaves turn bright green. Remove from water.
- When the cabbage has cooled, separate the leaves carefully. Place each leaf flat on a table and divide the scallops, shrimp and crab claws among them. Brush with melted butter and vermouth. Sprinkle with fresh herbs, and salt and pepper.
- Fold the leaves and tie with string or long scallion ends.
- Place on hot grill and cook for five to seven minutes on each side. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 185, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 2 grams, Fat 13 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 13 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 381 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams, TransFat 1 gram
STUFFED CABBAGE LEAVES
Certain smells evoke warm happy memories thats what today was for me. Got up this morning and while my hubby made coffee I began the Banana Muffins which were done 20 minutes after the coffee was made! mmm delicious. I was going to make stuffed acorn squash today but had picked up the wrong ingredients so I thought well.I have...
Provided by Mary Merth
Categories Beef
Time 1h30m
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- 1. Pour 2-1/2 cups of chicken broth in a pot bring to a boil and add 1 cup brown rice and cook on medium for 45 minutes till liquid is absorbed. In a seperate skillet brown your ground sirloin (or ground turkey) as you are smashing it to smaller pieces and browning add your diced onion, diced garlic, Montreal Steak Seasonings. Brown then add 2 fresh diced Basil & 3 diced Oregano, add the totally cooked rice & 1/2 of the can of tomato sauce into skillet stir together.
- 2. In another pot bring water to a boil and place your cabbage leaves in one at a time for about 2-3 minutes till they are slightly soft/pliable drain water off and set on your cutting board, one by one doing this with all your cabbage leaves.
- 3. Now empty your pot of water rinse it out and pour in the other half of the can of tomato sauce and the can of cooked peeled roma tomatoes I smush the tomatoes between my fingers till they are in pieces (wash your hands first) rinse your cans with about a 1/4 of a can of water in each to get all the sauce out. Rinse your hands and add 12 fresh washed small to medium leaves of oregano and another diced basil leaf a tsp of dried Parsley and a tsp of garlic powder, 1/8 tsp ground pepper, 1/8 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp hungarian paparika to the pot of simmering tomatoes & sauce.
- 4. Next pick up one cabbage leaf and put a good sized scoop of the meat and rice mix in the middle of the leaf.Then take one side of the leave and fold it over on both sides then close each end and stick a toothpick through.It might take 2 or 3 toothpicks,place the toothpick through by sides to keep it from opening in the pot.Use 1-3 toothpicks so it doesn't pop open in your sauce as it simmers. When its nice and tight put in your simmering sauce gently don't burn your fingers.
- 5. Your pot should now have all the stuffed cabbage leaves in.Bring sauce to a simmer & Turn burner on low (if electric low or corning stove to 3) and cook covered 45 minutes to make sure all the flavors disperse and mingle with each other.
- 6. When I serve it I add a little of the tomatoes drizzle some sauce over it.Take the toothpicks out before you eat! You can add a salad or a vegetable if you like. Enjoy!
Tips:
- For the best flavor, use a variety of ground meats, such as beef, pork, and lamb.
- Add some chopped vegetables to the meat filling, such as onions, carrots, and celery.
- Season the meat filling generously with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices.
- Use large, firm cabbage leaves for wrapping the stuffed cabbage rolls.
- Blanch the cabbage leaves in boiling water for a few minutes to make them more pliable.
- Place the stuffed cabbage rolls in a baking dish and top with tomato sauce or broth.
- Bake the stuffed cabbage rolls in a preheated oven for 1-2 hours, or until the cabbage is tender and the meat filling is cooked through.
- Serve the stuffed cabbage rolls with sour cream, yogurt, or your favorite sauce.
Conclusion:
Stuffed cabbage rolls are a delicious and hearty dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are a great way to use up leftover meat and vegetables, and they can be made ahead of time and frozen for later. With a little planning and effort, you can make stuffed cabbage rolls that are sure to impress your family and friends.
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