Description
Polish Cabbage Rolls, known as Golabki, are tender cabbage leaves stuffed with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, breadcrumbs, and herbs, then simmered in a rich tomato sauce. This comforting traditional dish is perfect for a hearty family meal and showcases classic Eastern European flavors.
Ingredients
Cabbage and Broth
- 1 head savoy cabbage or green cabbage (~1.5kg / 3lbs)
- 1 tbsp cooking salt / kosher salt (for cooking water; half for table salt, +50% for flakes)
- 4 cups chicken stock / broth
Filling
- 700g / 25oz beef mince (preferably not lean)
- 1 large brown onion, peeled and kept whole
- 1 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (substitute regular breadcrumbs)
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 2 large eggs (~55g/2oz shell-on weight)
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed using garlic press
- 1 tbsp dried marjoram (or half the amount of dried oregano)
- 2 1/2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt (half for table salt, +50% for flakes)
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley
- ~300g / 10oz finely chopped cooked cabbage (reserved from head)
Tomato Sauce
- 700g / 24oz tomato passata (or pureed tomato)
- 1 1/2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt (half for table salt, +50% for flakes)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp white sugar
- 30g / 2 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1/2 tbsp finely chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the cabbage: Remove 3-4 outer leaves from the cabbage and discard. Core the cabbage by cutting a cone around the stem carefully. Boil 5 litres of salted water, add the cabbage core side down, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove cabbage and cool for 10 minutes until manageable.
- Peel and trim leaves: Gently peel off 10 large cabbage leaves without holes. Pat leaves dry and trim thick central ribs so leaves are easier to roll.
- Chop remaining cabbage: Finely chop the leftover cabbage core into ~5mm pieces, squeeze out excess water, and set aside.
- Make the filling: Grate the whole onion into a bowl, add breadcrumbs and let soak for 1 minute. Add ground beef, cooked rice, eggs, crushed garlic, marjoram, salt, pepper, parsley, and 3 cups of the chopped cabbage. Mix thoroughly by hand until combined.
- Portion filling: Divide the filling into 10 equal portions, about 1 heaped 1/2 cup each, and set aside.
- Roll the cabbage rolls: Place a cabbage leaf stem side down on a surface, form one portion of filling into a cylinder (~8.5cm long), place at bottom third of leaf. Fold sides over filling and roll up tightly with seam side down. Repeat with remaining leaves and filling.
- Cook the rolls: Pour 1 cup chicken stock into a deep pan (about 30cm diameter). Arrange rolls seam side down tightly in pan, pour remaining chicken stock over. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat, then lower to medium, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes (internal temp at least 71°C / 160°F).
- Remove rolls and reduce stock: Carefully remove rolls with a slotted spoon and set aside. Increase heat to high and reduce the stock to approximately 1 1/2 cups, about 7 minutes.
- Prepare tomato sauce: Stir in tomato passata, tomato paste, salt, pepper, and sugar into reduced stock. Simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens to a thin pasta sauce consistency. Stir in butter until melted.
- Reheat rolls in sauce: Return cabbage rolls, seam side down, to the pan with sauce. Brush a thin coating of sauce on top of each roll. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and warm rolls for 5 minutes until sauce simmers around edges.
- Serve: Remove lid, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
- Use savoy cabbage for a more tender leaf, but green cabbage works well too.
- Choose ground beef with some fat for juicier filling; very lean can be dry.
- Panko breadcrumbs add lightness; regular breadcrumbs are an acceptable substitute.
- Be careful when coring cabbage to preserve layers for easier rolling.
- If any cabbage leaves are tough or have uncooked patches, quickly dip them back into boiling water to soften before rolling.
- Internal temperature of cooked rolls should reach at least 71°C (160°F) to ensure safety.
- Leftover rolls can be frozen after cooking; thaw fully and reheat gently in sauce.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Polish