Golubtsi (Голубцы)
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Golubtsi are Eastern European stuffed cabbage rolls made by wrapping a savory filling of minced meat and rice in softened cabbage leaves. The rolls are braised slowly in tomato-based sauce until tender. This dish is deeply associated with family dinners and holiday cooking, and tastes even better the next day.
About This Dish
Golubtsi are cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice, then braised in sauce until tender and deeply flavored.
Prep Time
40 minutes
Cook Time
60 minutes
Servings
6
Region & Occasion
Eastern Europeanfamilyweekendholiday
Ingredients
- •1 large cabbage
- •500 g (1.1 lb) ground beef or pork-beef mix
- •120 g (2/3 cup) uncooked rice
- •1 onion, finely diced
- •1 carrot, grated
- •2 tbsp oil
- •400 ml (1 2/3 cups) tomato sauce
- •250 ml (1 cup) broth or water
- •2 tbsp sour cream (optional)
- •1 tsp paprika
- •Salt and black pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- 1Core cabbage and blanch in boiling water, removing softened leaves one by one.
- 2Cook rice until half-done, then drain.
- 3Sauté onion and carrot in oil until soft.
- 4Mix ground meat, rice, half of sautéed vegetables, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- 5Trim thick leaf ribs, place filling on each leaf, and roll tightly.
- 6Arrange rolls seam-side down in a deep pot or Dutch oven.
- 7Combine tomato sauce, broth, and remaining sautéed vegetables.
- 8Pour sauce over rolls until mostly covered.
- 9Cover and simmer gently for 50-60 minutes until tender.
- 10Stir in sour cream at the end if desired.
- 11Serve hot with extra sauce and dill.
Cooking Tips
- •Blanch cabbage leaves just until pliable, not mushy.
- •Do not overpack filling so rolls stay easy to seal.
- •Braise low and slow so leaves become tender and sauce concentrates.
FAQ
How do I soften cabbage leaves without tearing them?
Blanch the whole cabbage and peel leaves gradually as they soften; trim thick stems before rolling.
Can golubtsi be made ahead?
Yes. Assemble and refrigerate before cooking, or fully cook and reheat the next day.
Can I use different grains instead of rice?
Yes. Buckwheat or bulgur can work, but adjust moisture and cooking time accordingly.
Tags
#cabbage-rolls#braised#family-meal#Eastern-European
