Stuffed Polish Cabbage (Gołąbki)
🧾 Ingredients
🥬 Cabbage:
1 large green cabbage
🥩 Filling:
500 g ground beef (or beef + pork mix for best flavor)
1/2 cup uncooked rice (or 1 cup cooked rice)
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 egg
2 tbsp parsley, chopped
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
🍅 Tomato Sauce:
2 cups (480 ml) tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp sugar (balances acidity)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tbsp olive oil
👩🍳 Instructions
- Prepare the cabbage
Bring a large pot of water to a boil
Carefully remove the core of the cabbage
Place whole cabbage in boiling water
As leaves soften, gently peel them off
Set aside 10–12 large leaves - Prepare the filling
In a bowl, mix:
Ground meat
Rice
Onion & garlic
Egg
Parsley
Salt & pepper - Fill and roll
Place a portion of filling on each cabbage leaf
Fold sides inward, then roll tightly like a wrap - Assemble
Spread a little sauce on the bottom of a pot or baking dish
Arrange cabbage rolls seam-side down
Pour remaining sauce over the top - Cook
Option A – Stovetop:
Cover and simmer on low heat for 45–60 minutes
Option B – Oven:
Cover with foil and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 60–75 minutes - Serve
Serve hot with extra sauce
Optional: add a spoon of sour cream on top
✨ Tips:
Freeze cabbage overnight first → easier peeling
Mix pork + beef for juicier filling
Add cooked bacon to sauce for extra flavor 🥓
Use leftover rice for faster prep