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Two cabbage rolls on a white place. One is topped with a dollop of sour cream. The second roll is cut in half and facing the cut side up to show the meat and rice filling. The rolls are sprinkled with fresh chopped green dill on top and there are few shreds of carrot on the plate.

Ukrainian Cabbage Rolls (Holubtsi)

Nataliia
These hearty Ukrainian cabbage rolls are made with tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a filling of seasoned ground beef, rice, and vegetables, then simmered in a creamy tomato sauce until the rice is fully cooked. What a perfect comfort food for a chilly night.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Holiday dish, Main Course
Cuisine Eastern European, Ukrainian
Servings 5
Calories 297 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Measuring Cup
  • 1 mixing bowl
  • 1 large pot
  • 1 grater box

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ea large cabbage, whole
  • 1 pound ground beef, 15%
  • ½ cup uncooked white rice, rinsed
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 ea medium carrots
  • ½ ea yellow onion
  • 1 cup plain tomato sauce
  • 3 Tablespoons sour cream, plus more for serving
  • 6 cups water or as needed
  • ½ teaspoon salt or more by taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill, for serving

Instructions
 

  • Add about a gallon of water to a large pot. Bring it to boil. Meanwhile, remove the cabbage core using a sharp knife. Place a whole cabbage carefully in a pot with boiling water and let it cook for about 5 minutes. Flip the cabbage on the other side and cook for another 5 minute. Carefully remove the cabbage, let it cool down and separate it by leaves.
  • Shred the carrots and dice the onion. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add diced onion and cook for about 4 minutes stirring often. Add shredded carrots and saute for another 4-5 minutes or until the carrots are soft. Reserve half of the carrots and onions on the side, while keeping the rest in the skillet keeping the heat on low. Add 1 cup of tomato sauce and 3 Tablespoons of sour cream to the skillet. Stir and bring it to a gentle boil. Remove from heat.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add 1 lb ground beef, ½ cup uncooked rinsed rice, reserved carrots and onions, ½ teaspoon salt, dried parsley, garlic powder, black pepper. Mix well to combine.
  • Lay the cabbage leaf flat on a cutting board facing the stem down. Take a spoonful of your meat filling and place it near the bottom of the cabbage leaf, leaving a bit of space at the edges. Roll the bottom edge of the cabbage leaf up and over the filling, tucking it tightly. Now fold in the sides over the feeling. While keeping the sides folded, roll the cabbage roll all the way up. Place it in the pot with the seam facing down. Repeat with the rest of the meat filling and cabbage, arranging the rolls in layers.
  • Spread the creamy tomato sauce on top of the rolls. Add few bay leaves. Pour enough water to cover the rolls. Cover the pot with a tight lid and bring it to boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 1 hour or until the rice is fully cooked. Serve with chopped dill and a dollop of sour cream.

Notes

  • you can soften up the cabbage by placing a whole head in the freezer for about 1 week.
  • use beef, pork or turkey to make the rolls.
  • cabbage freeze well for up to 3 months.
  • use uncooked rice to make the filling.
  • the nutrition facts are for informational purposes only.

Nutrition

Serving: 2eaCalories: 297kcalCarbohydrates: 24.2gProtein: 20.7gFat: 11.2gSodium: 554mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6.3g
Keyword ukrainian cabbage rolls, ukrainian holubtsi
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