Authentic Cabbage Rolls Recipe ll Romanian Cabbage Rolls II Cabbage Rolls Recipe

ground pork

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground beef

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground beef is often more affordable.

sour cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Greek yogurt offers a healthier option with similar creaminess.

smoked bacon

🥗Healthier: turkey bacon

💰Cheaper: pork belly

Turkey bacon is lower in fat, while pork belly is often less expensive.

tomato paste

🥗Healthier: crushed tomatoes

💰Cheaper: ketchup

Crushed tomatoes provide a fresh taste, while ketchup is a budget-friendly alternative.

Grind the pork and beef together if not using pre-ground meat.

Add shallots into the grinder with the meat.

Mix the ground meat with 2 large eggs using a wooden spoon.

Add black pepper to the meat mixture and mix well.

Prepare tomato paste by adding water and mixing it into the meat mixture.

Add rice to the meat mixture and continue to mix.

Use thyme instead of dill in the mixture.

Remove the plastic wrap from the cabbage and drain the sour cabbage juice, reserving it.

Remove the stem from the cabbage leaf and cut it in half, keeping the stem for cooking later.

Place the stems into the pot for cooking.

Place about one tablespoon of the meat mixture onto each cabbage leaf and roll tightly.

Repeat with remaining meat mixture and cabbage leaves, doubling up smaller leaves if necessary.

Prepare more tomato paste with water and cooking oil, and pour it over the cabbage rolls.

Chop leftover cabbage leaves and sprinkle them on top of the rolls.

Pour reserved sour cabbage juice and additional water into the pot to cover the rolls.

Cook in an Instant Pot, ensuring the juice covers the cabbage rolls entirely, using the 'meat' program.

After cooking, broil the rolls in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes until golden brown.

Meanwhile, boil water with salt for polenta and stir in the polenta slowly until creamy, adding butter before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: