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Golabki Recipe

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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

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

  2. Mix until evenly combined.

Step 3 — Roll the Cabbage

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

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

  3. Repeat with remaining leaves.

Step 4 — Prepare Sauce

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

Step 5 — Bake

  1. Spread a little sauce in baking dish.

  2. Arrange cabbage rolls seam-side down.

  3. Pour remaining sauce over top.

  4. 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

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