Description
Dive into a heartwarming dish that brings the flavors of Eastern Europe right to your kitchen with this easy Golubtsi Recipe (Russian Stuffed Cabbage). Tender cabbage leaves filled with a savory mixture of meat and rice, simmered in a tangy tomato sauce, make this dish a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cabbage
- 1 large head of cabbage
Filling
- 1 lb ground meat (beef, pork, or turkey)
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Tomato Sauce
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup water
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 pinch of sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Cabbage: Start by removing the core from the cabbage and carefully peeling off the leaves. To soften them, blanch the leaves in boiling water for about 2-3 minutes until pliable. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Make the Filling: In a large bowl, combine your choice of ground meat, cooked rice, finely chopped onion, salt, pepper, and any additional herbs or spices you prefer. Mix until everything is evenly combined.
- Stuff the Cabbage Leaves: Take a cabbage leaf, place a generous spoonful of the filling at the base, and fold the sides over the filling, then roll it up tightly like a burrito. Repeat until all filling is used.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a separate pot, combine tomato sauce with water, and season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
- Cook the Golubtsi: In a large pot, place a few cabbage leaves at the bottom to prevent sticking. Arrange the stuffed cabbage rolls seam-side down, then pour the sauce over them. Cover and simmer for about 40-50 minutes until the cabbage is tender and the filling is cooked through.
Notes
- Use fresh cabbage for better pliability.
- Don’t overfill the cabbage leaves.
- Simmer on low heat for best flavor melding.
- Experiment with different fillings.
- Let the Golubtsi rest for a few minutes after cooking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Golubtsi, Russian Stuffed Cabbage, Eastern European cuisine