Stuffed cabbage

The history of stuffed cabbage recipes is a long and varied one, with many different cultures putting their own unique spin on the dish. The earliest known stuffed cabbage dish comes from ancient Rome, where it was called involtini di verza. This dish consisted of cabbage leaves stuffed with a mixture of meat, bread crumbs, and herbs, then boiled in broth.

Over the centuries, stuffed cabbage recipes spread to other parts of Europe and beyond, with each culture adding its own twist. In Poland, for example, the dish is called gołąbki and is typically made with beef or pork, rice, and a sweet-and-sour tomato sauce. In Germany, meanwhile, the dish is called Krautwickel and is usually made with pork, bacon, and sauerkraut.

No matter its origin, stuffed cabbage is a delicious and hearty dish that is sure to please. So why not give it a try the next time you’re looking for something new and different to make for dinner?

Advice

If you're looking to make stuffed cabbage, the most important advice I can give is to take your time. This is a dish that requires patience and attention to detail. Start by making sure all of your ingredients are prepped and ready. Then, take the time to properly prepare the cabbage leaves. Carefully separate them from the head, cut off the hard cores, and blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes. Once your ingredients are ready, stuff the leaves with the filling of your choice and roll them up to make the stuffed cabbage. Finally, bake in the oven or simmer on the stove for about an hour and a half for a delicious meal!

Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights

Recipes

  /public/thespruceeats-logo.svg

Old-Fashioned Stuffed Cabbage

  • tomato
  • tomato puree
  • brown rice
  • green cabbage
  • egg
  • ground beef
  • mustard
  • olive oil
  • onion
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • garlic
  • bay leaf
  /public/thespruceeats-logo.svg

Romanian Stuffed Cabbage (Sarmale)

  • sauerkraut juice
  • onion
  • white bread
  • red pepper
  • thyme
  • black pepper
  • cabbage
  • black peppercorn
  • ground pork
  • garlic
  • tomato
  • salt
  • rice
  • water
  • sauerkraut
  • bay leaf
  • dill
  • bacon
  • olive oil
  /public/bonappetit-logo.svg

BA's Best Stuffed Cabbage

  • black pepper
  • salt
  • sour cream
  • ground beef
  • hungarian paprika
  • tomato
  • tomato
  • egg
  • savoy cabbage
  • onion
  • grain white rice
  • red pepper flake
  • light brown sugar
  • red wine vinegar
  • salt
  • worcestershire sauce
  • bay leaf
  • celery
  • currant
  • butter
  • parsley
  • garlic
  /public/saveur-logo.webp

Stuffed Cabbage

  • salt
  • olive oil
  • parsley
  • grain rice
  • lamb
  • sage
  • egg
  • green cabbage
  • chicken stock
  • cumin
  • garlic

Ingredient Breakdown

 
salt
onion
cabbage
black pepper
garlic
egg
rice
ground pork
tomato
ground beef
sour cream
olive oil
butter
parsley
sauerkraut
paprika
water
lemon juice
celery
tomato puree
green cabbage
bay leaf
tomato juice
tomato sauce
chuck
ground
bacon
sugar
sumac
grain white rice
chicken stock
tomato soup
dehydrated onion soup
smoked rib
buckwheat
potato
beef stock
white rice
marjoram
bell pepper
brown rice
mustard
smoked pork butt
all purpose flour
lard
white vinegar
cinnamon
nutmeg
veal
sauerkraut juice
white bread
red pepper
thyme
black peppercorn
dill
herb
pine nut
brown raisin
raisin
matzoh meal
citric acid
granny smith apple
chuck beef
green onion
broth
yogurt
carrot
mint
cheddar cheese
condensed tomato soup
hungarian paprika
savoy cabbage
red pepper flake
light brown sugar
red wine vinegar
worcestershire sauce
currant
hungarian hot paprika
hungarian sweet paprika
tomato paste
italian frying pepper
yellow cornmeal
smoked ham steak
grain rice
lamb
sage
cumin

Insights

Correlated with Higher Ratings

  • rice

Staple Ingredients

  • onion 73%
  • salt 73%
  • black pepper 67%
  • cabbage 67%

Common Ingredients

  • egg 53%

Usual Ingredients

  • garlic 47%
  • rice 47%
  • ground beef 40%
  • ground pork 40%

Rarey Ingredients

  • butter 33%
  • sour cream 33%
  • tomato 33%