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Recipes
Classic Cabbage Rolls

Braising/Simmering/Pot Roasting

Classic Cabbage Rolls

45 min prep

135 min cooking

Serves 6

Difficulty 2/5

Although not difficult to make, cabbage rolls do take some time to prepare and assemble but are well worth the effort. Although not traditional, you can substitute basmati rice for the long-grain rice. Serve with simple boiled potatoes, steamed green beans and a dollop of sour cream for a decadent and cool finish.

Ingredients

1 green cabbage, about 4 lb (2 kg) 2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced ½ cup (125 mL) uncooked long-grain white rice 1 tsp (5 mL) sweet paprika 1 lb (500 g) Extra Lean Ground Beef 1 egg, beaten 1 tsp (5 mL) EACH salt and fresh ground pepper 4 bay leaves 1 jar (680 mL) strained puréed tomatoes (passata) 2 cups (500 mL) reduced-sodium beef broth (approx)

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Directions

1. Place cabbage on a cutting board with the bottom pointing up. Firmly push a fork into the core of the cabbage and grip the fork to hold the cabbage in place. Using the tip of a thin sharp knife, insert point-down just outside the core on an angle, then cut around the core to remove (the core should be a cone shape once removed). 2. Bring 3 inches (8 cm) of water to a boil in a large, deep pot over medium-high heat. Place cabbage, core-side down, in water. Cook cabbage, covered, for 3 to 5 minutes or until outer leaves are wilted and pliable. Leaving cabbage in the pot, use tongs to carefully pull outer leaves from cabbage and transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. If leaves do not release easily, cover pot again and steam cabbage for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, continuing process until there are 18 to 20 large leaves. Drain remaining head of cabbage and set aside. Let leaves cool completely. 3. Meanwhile, heat oil over medium heat in a medium nonstick skillet. Cook onions and garlic, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes or until starting to soften. Add rice and paprika; cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes or until well coated. Transfer to a large bowl; let cool completely. Gently mix in ground beef, egg, salt and pepper with a fork (careful not to over-mix). 4. Thinly slice remaining cabbage on the head and arrange 2 cups (500 mL) in bottom of a greased large roasting pan. Set aside remaining sliced cabbage to cover rolls once assembled. Trim hard veins from center of each large cabbage leaf; discard. 5. Working with one leaf at a time, place 2 tbsp (30 mL) beef filling on core end of the leaf, fold in sides over filling and roll up tightly from core-end to tip of leaf to enclose. Place rolls, seam side down, in prepared roasting pan. Top with bay leaves. 6. Pour passata and broth over cabbage rolls to cover. Add a splash of broth or water to the passata jar, cap with lid and shake to rinse jar; pour into the pan. (If cabbage rolls are not covered, add some water or additional broth). Top with reserved sliced cabbage. 7. Cover and bake in preheated 350°F oven for 1½ hours or until cabbage is tender. Uncover and add up to 2 cups (500 mL) water or additional broth if cabbage rolls look dry. Bake, uncovered, for an additional 30 to 45 minutes or until sauce has thickened. Discard bay leaves. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Tip

For big and bold flavours, layer sauerkraut and a few strips of lightly cooked bacon strips over the cabbage rolls before baking. A savoy cabbage will work just as well for this recipe but the cabbage rolls may bake slightly faster due to the thinner, more tender leaves.

How to Cook It

Braising/Simmering/Pot Roasting

Cuts Used in This Recipe

Ground Beef

Extra Lean Ground Beef (10% Max. fat)

Beef Trimmings

Beef Trimmings 90% Lean

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The comments, recommendations and other information on this site are general information and are not intended be relied upon with respect to any particular circumstances. The advice of a doctor or other qualified medical professional should be obtained before reliance upon any of the information on this site that relates to diet, allergies and other health matters. Nutrition information regarding recipes and other food items (including the presence of allergens and quantities of nutrients) is only an estimate, may contain inaccuracies, and is derived from various sources which may include nutrient analysis software and information from suppliers. Actual amounts may also vary based on factors such as the origins of ingredients, accuracy of measurements, and method of preparation and cooking. The Gateway is brought to you by Canadian Beef producers. It is our intent to provide information in support of local beef production, but we cannot guarantee that all beef cuts are sourced and sold by retailers are Canadian.