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Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

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We start this week with one of my husband’s favourite dishes, the best stuffed cabbage rolls recipe, with tomatoes, thyme and dill. It’s a summer meal, which I made starting to cook with the first harvest of cabbage. In this period we were also doing the stuffed collard greens with spinach also the delicious Hungarian stuffed peppers.

For this recipe, I use cabbage leaves, from early cabbage varieties, not from autumn ones. There are those greens that have a deep green colour, not those of light colours.

Table of Contents

Ingredients Used in Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

I used in this recipe a medium-sized cabbage, from which I could detach about 12 leaves to fill.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Cabbage Leaves

For the filling, I used about 750 g of minced pork. You can also use a minced meat mixture, two parts pork and one part minced beef.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Pork Mince Meat

We also need a large onion and a cup of rice, which I washed previously.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Large Size Onion

And let’s not forget the tomatoes! I used two canned chopped tomatoes.

Well, let’s get to work!

In the beginning, we prepare the filling. For this, we clean and chop the onion.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Chopped Onion

In a small saucepan or pan, heat two tablespoons of oil and put the chopped onion to fry.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Frying Chopped Onion

I seasoned it with salt, freshly ground pepper and a tablespoon of sweet paprika powder.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Fried Onion With Sweet Paprika Powder.

Pull the pan aside to cool slightly, during which time we can wash the rice in a sieve, under a stream of cold water.

After the rice is well-drained, we put it over the minced meat.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Mince Meat and Washed Rice

Season with a teaspoon of sea salt, a teaspoon of freshly ground pepper and a tablespoon of sweet paprika powder.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Mince Meat, Rice and Sweet Paprika Powder

After that, I put the fried onion on top, without the frying oil.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Mince Meat, Rice and Fried Onion.

I put another teaspoon of chopped dill, then mixed everything by hand, until I obtained a homogeneous paste.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Mixed Cabbage Stuffing

Leave the filling aside, and start with the cabbage.

Preparing and Stuffing the Cabbage Leaves

In a larger pot, I put the water to a boil, with a spoonful of salt. When the water is boiling, put the cabbage leaves in the water, and boil them for about 10 minutes.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Boiling Cabbage Leaves

I boiled the leaves in two turns because they did not fit all at once. Remove the leaves from the water, put them in a large strainer, drain the water and cool it a little.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Boiled Cabbage Leaves

After they have cooled down enough to get hold of, we start filling the cabbage leaves.

You will see that after you have boiled the cabbage leaves a little, they can be filled and rolled much easier because they are soft and delicate.

First, we cut the thick part of the leaf tail, to make it easier to roll.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Cutted Tails of Leaves

On a cabbage leaf put a spoon of filling and roll it.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Filling the Cabbage Leaves

I roll the whole leaf, but you can if you want to get smaller rolls, cut the leaf in half and fill half the leaf.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Stuffed Cabbage Roll

Continue until you fill all the leaves.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Because I have some filling left, I’ll make some meatballs.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Stuffed Leftover

Setting in the pot

For this dish, I used a soup pot, on the bottom of which I placed some branches of thyme.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Thyme of the Bottom of the Pot

Over this, I sprinkled a handful of strips of cabbage, from the small unused leaves, which we cut in the strips and the leaves’ tails.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Sliced Leaves Tails and Cabbage Leaves

We pour the first canned tomatoes over these strips of cabbage.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Chopped Tomatoes on the Sliced Cabbage Leaves

After that, we are going to place the stuffed cabbage rolls next to each other.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Stuffed Cabbage Rolls in the Pot

Over the cabbage rolls, I put again a little thyme.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Thyme on the Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Next is the second can of chopped tomatoes.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Chopped Tomatoes on the Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

From the remaining filling, we make some meatballs and place them in the pot, next to stuffed cabbage rolls.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Meatballs on Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Pour the water into the pot, to cover all the stuffed cabbage well.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Fill the Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Pot With Water

I seasoned with 2 teaspoons of salt, a tablespoon of dried vegetable, a tablespoon of sugar and a tablespoon of chopped dill. Let boiling everything!

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Chopped Dill on Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Now I have used one of the techniques learned from my mother, namely placing a plate over the rolls. This has the role of keeping the rollers pressed and fixed, as not to break during boiling.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Plate on the Boiling Stuffed Cabbage Rolls.

You can use instead of a plate, a smaller lid.

Finishing and Serving

Boil everything for about an hour, over medium heat, until the cabbage and rice are boiled.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Ready to Serve

That it! The best stuffed cabbage rolls recipe is ready!

I carefully transferred the stuffed cabbage rolls into a glass bowl that I placed in the middle of the table.

Everything looks very appetizing!

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Served in Glass Bowl

It is served hot and with a little sour cream or Greek yoghurt on top.

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Served on Plate With Sour Cream on the Top

There are people, like my husband, who put a little more sugar on top.

You also try different variants. How do you like it?

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe-Served on Plate With Sour Cream on the Top

If you liked the best stuffed cabbage rolls recipe, I suggest you try it too the cabbage casserole recipe with rice and pork mince.

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best stuffed cabbage rolls with sour cream

Best Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Timea
We start this week with one of my husband's favorite dishes, the best-stuffed cabbage rolls recipe, with tomatoes, thyme, and dill. It's a summer meal, which I made starting to cook with the first harvest of cabbage.
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Hungarian, International
Servings 6 people
Calories 544 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 piece cabbage medium size
  • 1 piece onion large size
  • 750 g pork mince
  • 2 pieces canned chopped tomatoes
  • 1 cup rice
  • 3 teaspoons sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground pepper
  • 2 tbsp sweet paprika powder
  • 1 tbsp dried vegetable mix
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 bunch thyme
  • 2 tbsp chopped dill
  • 2 tbsp sunflower oil

Instructions
 

  • In a small saucepan or pan, heat two tablespoons of oil and put the chopped onion to fry. Seasoned with salt, freshly ground pepper and a tablespoon of sweet paprika powder.
  • Pull the pan aside to cool slightly, during which time we can wash the rice in a sieve, under a stream of cold water. After the rice is well-drained, we put it over the minced meat. Season with a teaspoon of sea salt, a teaspoon of freshly ground pepper and a tablespoon of sweet paprika powder. Put the fried onion on top, without the frying oil, and another teaspoon of chopped dill, then mixed everything by hand, until I obtained a homogeneous paste.
  • In a larger pot, I put the water to a boil, with a spoonful of salt. When the water is boiling, put the cabbage leaves in the water, and boil them for about 10 minutes. Remove the leaves from the water, and put them in a large strainer, drain the water and cool it a little.
  • On a cabbage leaf put a spoon of filling and roll it. Continue until you fill all the leaves.
  • For this dish, I used a soup pot, on the bottom of which I placed some branches of thyme. Over this, I sprinkled a handful of strips of cabbage, from the small unused leaves, which we cut in the strips and the leaves tails. We pour the first canned tomatoes over these strips of cabbage. After that, we are going to place the stuffed cabbage rolls next to each other. Over the cabbage rolls, I put again a little thyme and the second can of chopped tomatoes. From the remaining filling, we make some meatballs and place them in the pot, next to stuffed cabbage rolls.
  • Pour the water into the pot, to cover all the stuffed cabbage well. I seasoned with a tablespoon of salt and a tablespoon of chopped dill and boiled everything. Boil everything for about an hour, over medium heat, until the cabbage and rice are boiled.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gramsCalories: 544kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 26gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 1831mgFiber: 6gSugar: 8g
Keyword best stuffed cabbage rolls, best stuffed cabbage rolls recipe, stuffed cabbage rolls, stuffed cabbage rolls recipe
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Recipe Rating




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Dane

Wednesday 11th of September 2019

This is a really nice recipe you have given here. I have only started a vegan diet some days back and its going really cool with me because im already feeling some of the changes in my body system bit by bit and that why i am in search for more meals to add to my diet. I don't really have an serious guide book to my diet yet, although i wish to get one soon, would you suggest I take this meal you have given here?

Timea

Wednesday 11th of September 2019

An alternative would be to replace the meat with mushrooms.

Steve

Wednesday 11th of September 2019

My mother is of Hungarian descent and her grandmother taught her how to make stuffed cabbage rolls and it has always been a favorite of mine. Even though it takes a bit of time, I think it is totally worth it and the flavors that develop are amazing. Thanks for sharing this recipe as it looks like it is a nice spin on what I am used to. I'd love to give it a try and compare the two recipes!

Timea

Wednesday 11th of September 2019

Yes, Steve, I invite you to try the recipe.

Nate MC

Wednesday 11th of September 2019

Some good stuff. I've never been a big fan of eating cabbage by itself, but I love eating it when it's part of a recipe, if that makes sense? I'm going to give this a try and see how I like it. Looks good though. Thanks for writing this recipe up

Timea

Wednesday 11th of September 2019

Thanks, Nate!

Stella

Monday 9th of September 2019

My mouth is already salivating for this delicious meal. This is a long yet amazing recipes. Stuffed cabbage roll is a tongue bitting food when prepared by an expert. I haven't try cooking it on my own before because of time. I will find time to make it this coming weekend and see how it looks like compare to one I do get from restaurant. This step by step guides are easy to follow and am sure it will be able to guide me through the preparation.

Timea

Monday 9th of September 2019

Thanks, Stella, I recommend you try the dishes, I'm sure it will be delicious.

gr8megawinner

Monday 9th of September 2019

Food like this covered with vegetables is very famous in Egypt and Lebanon where I was for a while. The food with green leaves is especially delicious and nutritious. There is some food especially this one here is specially prepare due to choice ingredients which are not common all year round. A special dish that needs choice cabbage of a certain season and meticulous preparation is rather tedious, must have been a labor of life. I remember the food I have eaten in Oman where Arabic food looked like more of this type. They are quite exotic and dainty in every way a good thing to learn for some occasions with friends.

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