Ukrainian Cabbage Rolls (Holubtsi) recipe

ground meat

🥗Healthier: lean turkey

💰Cheaper: ground chicken

Lean turkey reduces fat content while ground chicken is often less expensive.

sour cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Greek yogurt offers a healthier alternative with similar creaminess.

tomato sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade tomato puree

💰Cheaper: canned tomatoes

Homemade puree can be fresher, while canned tomatoes are budget-friendly.

rice

🥗Healthier: quinoa

💰Cheaper: barley

Quinoa is a nutritious substitute, while barley is often less expensive.

Prepare cabbage by blanching leaves in boiling water until pliable, about 2-3 minutes.

Mix ground meat, cooked rice, chopped onion, grated carrot, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl until combined.

Place a spoonful of filling onto each cabbage leaf, fold sides over, and roll tightly to enclose filling.

Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).

Spread a layer of tomato sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.

Arrange cabbage rolls seam-side down in the dish, packing them snugly together.

Pour remaining tomato sauce over the rolls and add broth to cover them halfway.

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes.

Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until heated through.

Serve hot, drizzled with sour cream and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Cooking Techniques

Spice Level: