Romanian Cabbage Rolls - Sarmale

ground pork

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground beef

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground beef is often less expensive.

sour cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess.

smoked bacon

🥗Healthier: turkey bacon

💰Cheaper: pork belly

Turkey bacon is lower in fat, while pork belly adds rich flavor.

tomato paste

🥗Healthier: pureed tomatoes

💰Cheaper: canned tomatoes

Pureed tomatoes are lower in sodium, while canned tomatoes are often less expensive.

Chop bacon into small pieces and cook until crispy in a skillet over medium heat.

Boil water and scald the cabbage to make the leaves flexible, then remove them carefully.

Chop onion finely and sauté in 0.5 cup sunflower oil until golden brown, then add 2 teaspoons paprika and stir.

Remove sautéed onion from heat and let cool.

Chop fresh parsley and dill, discarding stems.

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, cooked bacon (drained), sautéed onion, rice, chopped herbs, 2 whole eggs, 1 teaspoon pepper, 2 teaspoons salt, and 2 teaspoons vegetable seasoning salt. Mix well.

Chop leftover cabbage scraps into small pieces and line the bottom of a large cast iron Dutch oven with them.

Add sauerkraut on top of the chopped cabbage in the Dutch oven.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: