This Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe is made with fresh cabbage leaves and is stuffed with rice, ground beef, and tomato sauce seasoned with the best sensational spices.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
Ingredients
- Ground chuck (you can also replace with ground turkey as well for a lighter option)
- Onion
- Bell pepper
- Celery
- Tomatoes
- Rice
- Spices
Want to Save This Recipe, Boo?
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
How To Make Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe
- Preparation is Key: Start by boiling a generous amount of water in a large pot. Once it’s bubbling, add the whole cabbage and let it cook for a solid 5 minutes. This is going to make peeling those leaves off a whole lot easier.
- Leaf Removal: After boiling, carefully remove the cabbage and start peeling off the large leaves. These are what you’ll use to wrap up the tasty filling.
- Mix It Up: In a bowl, combine ground chuck, diced onion, bell pepper, and celery. Throw in the rice, half of your tomatoes and tomato sauce, and season with salt, pepper, and a dash of cayenne for that kick. Mix well.
- Roll ‘Em Up: Take a cabbage leaf, place a rounded tablespoon of your meat mixture in the center, and roll it up tight, tucking in the edges as you go.
- Layer and Cook: Place the rolls seam side down in a large, heavy pot. Pour the remaining tomatoes and tomato sauce over them, sprinkle with more salt (and cayenne if you’re feeling spicy), and cover tightly.
- Steam to Perfection: Let the rolls steam over medium-low heat for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. You’re aiming for tender perfection.
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls – cabbage leaves stuffed with rice and ground beef with a tangy and spicy tomato based sauce seasoned with herbs and spices.
Want to Save This Recipe, Boo?
I’ll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 large cabbage
- 2 lbs lean ground chuck
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 bell pepper chopped
- 4 celery stalks chopped
- 1/2 cup raw rice
- 2 (10 ounce) cans tomatoes with chiles
- 3 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- cayenne to taste
Instructions
- Add lots of water to a large pot over high heat. Once water begins to boil, add cabbage and cook for 5 minutes. Finally remove large leaves and reserve.
- Mix together ground chuck, onion, bell pepper, celery, rice, half of the tomatoes and tomato sauce, and salt, pepper and cayenne to taste.
- Now take your large cabbage leaves and place rounded tablespoons of the beef and rice mixture into each leaf. Each time, roll up the leaf, tucking the edges under as you roll.
- Add the rolls to a large, heavy pot and pour the remaining tomatoes and tomato sauce over rolls. Sprinkle with additional salt (and cayenne pepper if desired).
- Cover pot tightly and steam for about 1- 1 1/2 hours over medium low heat.
Video
Notes
Remove meat from recipe for a vegetarian version of the stuffed cabbage.
Before storing, let the cabbage rolls come to room temperature. Place the rolls in an airtight container. They can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
To freeze, wrap each roll individually in plastic wrap and place them in a zip-lock freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to three months.
Reheating:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cabbage rolls in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and reheat for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. If frozen, extend the reheating time to 30-40 minutes.
For a quick option, place a cabbage roll on a microwave-safe plate, cover it with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, and heat on medium for 1-2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds to avoid overcooking.
Nutrition
Calories: 372kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 116mg | Potassium: 615mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 665IU | Vitamin C: 62.2mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @GrandbabyCakes or tag #grandbabycakes!
pinterest 
facebook 
twitter 
email
Hi Jocelyn,
Love your recipes!! I have a question: could your stuffed cabbage be made using Zataran’s Dirty Rice Mix and ground beef? If so, what spices would you recommend for the tomato sauce?
Thank you! I haven’t actually tried this but from what I remember, Zatarain’s has a higher sodium amount so I would tame the spices and salt for sure. Let me know how it turns out for you.
Is the rice really raw (uncooked) when it goes in to the mix?
Yes it is. It will cook in the rolls. Just make sure there’s enough liquid. I’ve also found when using brown rice it takes a little longer.