Golabki – Polish Stuffed Cabbage Recipe
🕒 Cook Time: 45 minutes
🕒 Prep Time: 45 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
🍽 Servings: 6
Description:
Transport yourself to the heart of Poland with this cherished family recipe passed down from my late Polish grandmother’s kitchen. Hailing from the pages of an old cookbook titled “Polish Favorites,” this rendition of Golabki, or Polish Stuffed Cabbage, holds a special place in my heart. Unlike her other recipe, which calls for rice, this version incorporates bread into the savory meat mixture, adding a delightful texture and depth of flavor.
Recipe Category: One Dish Meal
Keywords: Meat, Polish, European, Potluck, Weeknight, Oven, Stove Top, < 4 Hours
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 308.7
- Fat: 19.6g
- Saturated Fat: 9.8g
- Cholesterol: 99.4mg
- Sodium: 845.3mg
- Carbohydrates: 19.2g
- Fiber: 4.5g
- Sugar: 7.6g
- Protein: 15.8g
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | Cabbage |
| 2 | Ground beef |
| 3/4 | Onion |
| 1 | Butter |
| 2 | Eggs |
| 1 | Salt |
| 1 1/4 | Pepper |
| 1/2 | Beef broth |
| 1 | Flour |
| 3 | Butter (for sauce) |
| 3 | Tomato paste |
| 3 | Salt (for sauce) |
| 3 | Pepper (for sauce) |
| – | Sugar (for sauce) |
| – | Paprika (for sauce) |
Instructions:
-
Prepare Cabbage:
- Boil the cabbage until the leaves separate easily without tearing.
- Select 10 to 12 of the largest leaves and trim off the midribs to make them easier to roll.
-
Prepare Meat Mixture:
- Soak bread in water and then squeeze out excess moisture.
- Combine the bread with ground beef and mix thoroughly.
- In a separate pan, cook chopped onion in butter until golden.
- Add the cooked onion, eggs, salt, and pepper to the meat mixture and mix well.
-
Assemble Golabki:
- Divide the meat mixture into as many portions as there are cabbage leaves.
- Spread the meat mixture evenly onto the cabbage leaves.
- Roll the cabbage leaves firmly, tucking the edges to ensure the stuffing stays inside. If desired, secure with cotton thread.
- If there aren’t enough large leaves, use two small leaves for each roll.
-
Cook Golabki:
- Slice some of the remaining cabbage and place it in the bottom of a large pot.
- Arrange the cabbage rolls tightly on top of the sliced cabbage.
- Pour beef broth over the cabbage rolls.
- Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes or until the cabbage is tender and the meat is cooked through.
-
Prepare Sauce:
- To make the sauce, start by making a roux with flour and butter in a separate saucepan.
- Add tomato paste and beef broth from the stuffed cabbage to the roux, stirring until smooth and bubbly.
- Season the sauce with salt, pepper, sugar, and paprika to taste.
- Simmer the sauce for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
-
Serve:
- Arrange the cooked Golabki on a hot platter.
- Pour the prepared sauce over the top.
- Serve hot with boiled potatoes on the side.
Indulge in the comforting flavors of Poland with these Golabki – Polish Stuffed Cabbage, a true taste of tradition that’s perfect for any occasion, from cozy family dinners to festive gatherings with friends.
