📍 Across Ukraine⏱ 100 min🍽 Serves: 4with meat

Holubtsi — Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Comfort, wrapped in a cabbage leaf.

Where it comes from

All over Ukraine

History

Holubtsi share features with leaf-wrapped dishes in many cuisines. Ukrainian versions vary in size, grain, and cooking method. Both meatless and meat-filled recipes are part of family traditions.

Today

This version uses rice, ground meat, and tomato sauce. Cooked mushrooms are a common meatless alternative.

Ingredients

• 1000 g cabbage
• 400 g ground beef or pork
• 100 g uncooked rice
• 150 g onion
• 100 g carrots
• 300 g canned tomatoes in juice
• 400 ml water
• 30 ml neutral cooking oil

Method

1. Boil the rice for 8 minutes and drain.
2. Core the cabbage; soften the leaves in boiling water and trim thick ribs.
3. Mix half the onion with the rice, ground meat, and salt.
4. Wrap small portions in the leaves.
5. Sauté the remaining onion and carrots in oil.
6. Add tomatoes and water.
7. Arrange the rolls in a pot and add the sauce.
8. Cover and simmer for 50–60 minutes.
9. The filling must reach 160°F (71°C) for ground beef or pork, or 165°F (74°C) for ground poultry.

How to serve

Spoon over the sauce and offer sour cream separately.

Sources

• Cultural background

Check ingredients for allergens. Times and amounts are approximate.