Classic Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Classic stuffed cabbage rolls are one of those comforting, slow-cooked dishes you’ll find across Eastern Europe and the Middle East—hearty, tangy, and deeply satisfying.

🥬 Classic Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Sarma / Golabki-style)

Ingredients

  • 1 large green cabbage
  • 500 g ground beef (or beef + rice mix)
  • ½ cup uncooked rice
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 egg (optional, helps bind)
  • 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika (optional but recommended)

Sauce:

  • 2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar (for tang)
  • 1 tsp sugar (balances acidity)

Instructions

1. Prepare the cabbage

  • Core the cabbage and boil it whole for a few minutes.
  • Gently peel off softened leaves as they loosen.
  • Trim thick stems so they’re easy to roll.

2. Make the filling

  • Mix ground meat, rice, onion, garlic, egg, and spices in a bowl.
  • Don’t overmix—just combine.

3. Roll them up

  • Place a spoonful of filling near the base of each leaf.
  • Fold sides inward, then roll tightly like a burrito.
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