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Grandma’s Authentic Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Golumpki)

Close-up of delicious cabbage rolls cut open, showing the savory meat and rice filling, smothered in rich tomato sauce.
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Make classic stuffed cabbage rolls filled with ground beef and rice, baked in a rich tomato sauce. This recipe delivers the comforting flavor of traditional Golumpki for your family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large head of green cabbage
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup uncooked white rice
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup water or beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 bay leaf

Instructions

  1. Prepare the cabbage: Core the cabbage head. Place the whole head in a large pot of boiling water. Boil for 10 to 15 minutes until the outer leaves soften enough to peel away easily. Remove leaves as they become pliable, setting them aside to cool. You will need about 12 large leaves. Trim the thick center vein from each leaf so it rolls flat.
  2. Make the filling: In a bowl, combine the ground beef, uncooked rice, chopped onion, salt, pepper, and thyme. Mix the ingredients thoroughly with your hands until just combined. Do not overmix.
  3. Roll the cabbage: Place about 1/4 cup of the meat mixture near the base of a trimmed cabbage leaf. Fold the sides of the leaf inward over the filling, then roll the leaf tightly away from you to form a compact roll. Repeat with the remaining filling and leaves.
  4. Prepare the sauce: In a large, oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, mix the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, water or broth, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Stir well.
  5. Arrange the rolls: Place the stuffed cabbage rolls seam-side down in the pot over the sauce. You can layer them if necessary. Pour any remaining sauce over the top of the rolls. Add the bay leaf to the sauce.
  6. Cook the rolls: Cover the pot tightly with a lid. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the meat is fully cooked and the cabbage is very tender.
  7. Serve: Remove the bay leaf before serving. Spoon the rich tomato sauce over the savory baked rolls. This is a classic comfort food dinner idea.

Notes

  • If you prefer a quicker method, you can simmer the rolls on the stovetop over low heat for about 1.5 hours instead of baking.
  • For an even richer flavor, substitute half of the ground beef with ground pork.
  • This recipe is excellent for meal prep; the flavor deepens overnight.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://yumdrizzle.com/cabbage-rolls-grandmas-authentic-stuffed/