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Polish Cabbage Rolls (Golabki) Recipe


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3.9 from 14 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 servings

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Chop remaining cabbage: Finely chop the leftover cabbage core into ~5mm pieces, squeeze out excess water, and set aside.
  4. 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.
  5. Portion filling: Divide the filling into 10 equal portions, about 1 heaped 1/2 cup each, and set aside.
  6. 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.
  7. 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).
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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