Cabbage rolls are one of those timeless comfort foods—hearty, flavourful, and perfect for a cozy meal. For the juiciest cabbage rolls, we love using a mix of ground beef and pork. The beef adds deep, meaty flavour, while the pork brings just the right amount of fat to keep the filling tender.
Ingredients
For the Cabbage Rolls
- 1 large green cabbage
- 1 lb ground beef or pork (or a mix of both - cooked)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cooked white rice (or brown rice for a heartier option)
- 1 egg
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 can whole tomatoes
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp maple syrup or cane sugar (to cut the acidity)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
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Prepare the cabbage:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Carefully remove the core of the cabbage and place the whole head in the boiling water. Let it cook for about 5 minutes, then peel away the softened outer leaves with tongs. Continue until you have 12-14 leaves.
- Drain and let the leaves cool. Trim the thick center vein from each leaf for easier rolling.
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Make the filling:
- In a large bowl, mix the cooked ground meat, chopped onion, garlic, cooked rice, egg, salt, pepper, oregano, and paprika.
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Assemble the cabbage rolls:
- Lay a cabbage leaf flat and place about 2-3 tablespoons of filling near the base.
- Fold in the sides and roll up tightly like a burrito. Repeat with remaining leaves.
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Prepare the sauce:
- Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the tomato paste, canned tomatoes, broth, maple syrup (or cane sugar), oregano, salt and pepper. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, crushing the tomatoes as you stir. Optional: Use a hand blender to blend the sauce to a thinner consistency.
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Cook the cabbage rolls:
- Spread a little sauce on the bottom of a large baking dish or Dutch oven.
- Arrange the cabbage rolls, seam-side down, in a single layer. Pour the remaining sauce over the top.
- Cover and bake at 350°F for 1 hour or until the rolls are tender.
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Serve & enjoy!
- Let rest for a few minutes before serving. These taste even better the next day!
