Ingredients
For the Cabbage Rolls:
- 1 large green cabbage
- 1 pound ground beef or a meat mixture
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper
- Fresh herbs if desired
For the Sauce:
- Tomato sauce
- Crushed tomatoes
- Garlic
- Onion
- Seasonings
Ingredient Tips
Choosing the Cabbage
Choose a cabbage that feels firm and has fresh green leaves. Larger cabbages usually provide more leaves for rolling.
Meat Options
Ground beef is traditional, but you can also use:
- Ground turkey
- Pork
- A combination of meats
Rice
Cooked rice helps create a tender filling and stretches the meat mixture.
How to Prepare Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Step 1: Prepare the Cabbage Leaves
Remove the outer leaves from the cabbage.
Carefully soften the leaves by boiling the cabbage briefly until they become flexible.
Allow them to cool before handling.
Step 2: Make the Filling
Combine:
- Ground meat
- Cooked rice
- Onion
- Garlic
- Seasonings
Mix until everything is evenly combined.
Avoid overmixing because it can make the filling dense.
Step 3: Roll the Cabbage Leaves
Place a portion of filling in the center of each leaf.
Fold the sides inward and roll tightly.
Continue until all filling is used.