Golabki Recipe

Gołąbki (pronounced gaw-WOMP-kee) are traditional Polish cabbage rolls filled with seasoned ground meat and rice, wrapped in tender cabbage leaves, and slowly baked in a rich tomato sauce. This comforting Eastern European classic is perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or hearty food-blog recipes that attract international traffic.

⏱ Prep Time

• Prep: 30 minutes

• Cook: 1 hour 15 minutes

• Total: about 1 hour 45 minutes

🍴 Equipment

• Large pot

• Baking dish

• Mixing bowl

• Knife

• Tongs

🧾 Ingredients

For the Rolls

• 1 large green cabbage

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or beef + pork mix)

• 1 cup cooked rice

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 egg

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon paprika

For the Tomato Sauce

• 2 cups tomato sauce

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice

• Salt & pepper to taste

📝 Ingredient Notes

• Savoy cabbage is softer and easier to roll if available.

• Mixing pork with beef gives juicier filling.

• Rice should be cooked and cooled before mixing.

• Slight sweetness in the sauce balances cabbage flavor.

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1 — Prepare the Cabbage

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

2. Remove cabbage core.

3. Carefully place cabbage in boiling water.

4. Peel off softened leaves one by one as they loosen.

5. Trim thick stems from leaves.

Step 2 — Make Filling

6. In a bowl combine ground meat, cooked rice, onion, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and paprika.

7. Mix until evenly combined.

Step 3 — Roll the Cabbage

8. Place 2–3 tablespoons filling near the base of a leaf.

9. Fold sides inward and roll tightly like a burrito.

10. Repeat with remaining leaves.

Step 4 — Prepare Sauce

11. Mix tomato sauce, tomato paste, brown sugar, vinegar, salt, and pepper.

Step 5 — Bake

12. Spread a little sauce in baking dish.

13. Arrange cabbage rolls seam-side down.

14. Pour remaining sauce over top.

15. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour 15 minutes.

Rest 10 minutes before serving.

🥗 Nutrition Facts (Approx per roll)

• Calories: 210

• Carbohydrates: 18g

• Fat: 10g

• Protein: 14g

• Fiber: 3g

⭐ Pro Tips

✔ Freeze cabbage overnight instead of boiling — leaves soften naturally
✔ Pack rolls tightly in dish so they don’t open
✔ Cook slowly for the most tender cabbage
✔ Taste sauce before baking and adjust sweetness