Serbian stuffed cabbage rolls / Quick and easy cabbage rolls

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner and healthier, while ground pork is often less expensive.

smoked bacon

🥗Healthier: turkey bacon

💰Cheaper: pancetta

Turkey bacon is lower in fat, while pancetta is a more affordable alternative.

white rice

🥗Healthier: quinoa

💰Cheaper: brown rice

Quinoa is a protein-rich alternative, while brown rice is often cheaper and healthier.

vegetable oil

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Olive oil is healthier, while canola oil is often less expensive.

Cut the core out of the cabbage head to remove the leaves more easily.

Remove the outside layers of the cabbage that are dirty.

Steam the cabbage in a pot with about 2 inches of water covered with tin foil until softened.

Let the cabbage cool after steaming.

Dice half a yellow onion, half a red pepper, one stalk of celery, and one carrot into small pieces.

In a pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat and add the diced onion, red pepper, celery, and carrot, cooking until soft.

Add 3 minced cloves of garlic and cook for another minute.

Add 4 strips of diced smoked bacon and 1/2 pound of ground beef to the pan, cooking until the meat is crumbled and cooked through.

Stir in 1 tablespoon of paprika, salt, and pepper to taste.

Remove from heat and mix in 1/2 cup of sauerkraut, 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley, and 1/8 cup of rinsed long grain white rice.

Take a spoonful of the meat mixture and roll it in a cabbage leaf, tucking in the sides, and place seam-side down in a stock pot.

Add 2 cups of chicken broth and any unused cabbage parts to the pot.

Cover and cook for a minimum of 3 hours.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: