Russian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Golubtsi)

Name: Authentic Russian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Golubtsi) Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 14
Ingredients: 1 small head cabbage (about 700 gr); 125 gr (4 1/2 oz) minced beef; 125 gr (4 1/2 oz) minced pork; 50 gr (1 3/4 oz) dried (basmati) rice; 100 gr (3 1/2 oz) carrots, finely grated; 1 medium onion, finely diced; 3 garlic cloves, finely minced; 3 tbsp mayonnaise; 1/3 tsp smoked paprika; Salt/pepper; 1 small onion, finely diced; 400 gr (14 oz) canned tomatoes; 60 ml (2 fl oz) heavy cream; 200 ml (6 3/4 fl oz) water; Salt/pepper; Fresh dill, chopped; Sour cream (optional)

by Lazy Home Cook

14 Rolls

1 hr 5 min

Cabbage leaves stuffed with a delicious combination of ground beef, pork, rice and vegetables.

I know golubtsi as a dish that’s very popular in Russia and is being served in almost every Russian fast food chain or restaurant. Whenever I am in Moscow, I never miss a chance to eat these tasty rolls. It's a true comfort food, that I consider quite healthy too!

The cabbage leaves are stuffed with a delicious combination of ground beef, pork, rice and vegetables. The Russian cabbage rolls (a.k.a golubtsi) are cooked together in a creamy tomato sauce, using only a deep skillet.

Although it usually takes a long time to prepare these rolls, I found a trick, freezing the head of cabbage, that turns it into a quicker recipe. Making homemade stuffed Russian cabbage rolls has never been that easy!

For more information check the original Stuffed cabbage rolls recipe on my website www.lazyhomecook.com

Did you make this recipe? I’d love to see pictures of your creations on Instagram!

Tag @lazyhomecookk and hashtag it

Russian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Golubtsi)

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Recipe details

Yield 14 Rolls
Time spent: Prep time: 15 Minutes Cook time: 50 Minutes Total time: 1 hr 5 min

Show Nutrition Info

Per serving

% Daily value

Ingredients

The Rolls:

1 small head cabbage (about 700 gr)
125 gr (4 1/2 oz) minced beef
125 gr (4 1/2 oz) minced pork
50 gr (1 3/4 oz) dried (basmati) rice
100 gr (3 1/2 oz) carrots, finely grated
1 medium onion, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
3 tbsp mayonnaise
1/3 tsp smoked paprika
Salt/pepper

Sauce:

1 small onion, finely diced
400 gr (14 oz) canned tomatoes
60 ml (2 fl oz) heavy cream
200 ml (6 3/4 fl oz) water
Salt/pepper

For serving:

Fresh dill, chopped
Sour cream (optional)

Instructions

Cut out the core from the center of the cabbage and freeze the cabbage 1 or 2 days before you need it. The night before, defrost the cabbage and keep it in the fridge until you are ready to start cooking.
Cook rice in plenty of water until al dente (the rice should not be completely cooked through yet). This would approximately be between 5-10 minutes after the water starts boiling. Drain and set aside.
Sauté onion and garlic until golden brown, and set aside.
To a medium bowl add: meat, mayonnaise, carrot, rice, onion mixture, smoked paprika and mix until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
Begin making the rolls by carefully peeling (about 14) cabbage leaves off, starting from the core, pushing it gently upwards. Cut out the stem at the bottom of the leaf where it is the toughest in a V shape.
Place approximately 1 to 2 full tablespoons of meat mixture onto the wide end of the leaf. Fold sides over meat mixture, then fold the bottom of the leaf over the meat mixture and tuck underneath. Roll to seal.
Repeat this step with all the leaves and meat mixture, and set aside.
Now, sauté onion in a deep skillet until golden brown, add canned tomatoes, water and cook for 4 minutes.
Whisk in cream and season with salt and pepper.
Carefully place the rolled cabbage rolls seam side down in the skillet, and bring to a simmer.
Put the lid on the skillet and let it simmer for about 40 minutes, until soft and cooked through. Check from time to time and lower heat if sauce thickens too quick or add a bit of water if needed.
Cook the last 5-10 minutes without lid to thicken the sauce.
Serve with dill on top and a scoop of sour cream.

Comments

Eleanor on May 11, 2021

Would love to try it, but can't - measurements are different here in the US.

4 Reply
- See 6 previous
- Lazy Home Cook on May 12, 2021
  
  Hi Eleanor,
  
  Thanks for your message. The measurements indeed differ from the European measurements. But you gave me something to think about!
  
  Cheers,
  Jeanette
  
  1
- Eleanor on May 12, 2021
  
  Thank you for replying. You have such an interesting site, even though I cannot understand the recipes. Do you do your own photography? Some of the photos make me want to head for the kitchen - especially when it's a dish I've never tasted.
  
  2
- Lazy Home Cook on May 14, 2021
  
  Hi Eleanor,
  
  Thank you so much for your compliment! I indeed do my own photography. Did you know i take all the photos with my mobile phone, so no professional cameras :)
  
  I am happy that you like my food, best compliment ever!
  
  Have a wonderful day,
  Jeanette
  
  1
- Grace E. Pary on May 14, 2021
  
  go on line and you can get conversion from metric - be sure to weigh all ingredients as required, do not use measuring cups for bulk items.
  
  2
- Eleanor on May 14, 2021
  
  Tried that, but math totally escapes this lady, and has for 86 years, but you do have recipes that I can use, and I love them. Your photos make me hungry, they're so well done, so I HAVE to try to duplicate. My 2 youngest sons (with whom I've lived for 10 yrs) like when I cook. Yes, they spoil me terribly, but I love it.
  
  1
- Eleanor on May 17, 2021
  
  I'm 86 and just learning the ins and outs of a computer. I don't understand some of the answers I get, but I did find a recipe similar that I can compare and adjust. I'm learning to use the printer, too. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
  
  3
- Diane S. Vine on Jul 26, 2022
  
  Eleanor if you check the recipe it does give you the measurements you need. e.g. fluid oz (ounces), tablespoon of mix & 700 grams is just a small head of cabbage. Hope this helps you.
  
  Like
SusieHmMkr on May 17, 2021

It'd be nice if there was a button to convert the recipe to U.S. measurements.
Many recipe sites have that option.

2 Reply
- Eleanor on May 17, 2021
  
  I know, but this page doesn't have one. But the photos of the food are fabulous, aren't they?? Better than on other sites, anyway.
  
  2
- Lazy Home Cook on May 24, 2021
  
  Thank you, Eleanor!
  
  Like