Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large head of green cabbage
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup cooked white or brown rice
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional for balance)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Remove the core of the cabbage with a sharp knife. Carefully place the whole head of cabbage into the boiling water. As the outer leaves soften and turn translucent, peel them off one by one using tongs. Set the softened leaves aside on a plate and trim the thick central vein from the bottom of each leaf to make them easier to roll.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, cooked rice, diced onion, minced garlic, egg, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Use your hands or a sturdy spoon to mix everything until well combined. The egg acts as a binder, ensuring the beef filling stays moist and holds its dumpling-like shape inside the cabbage leaf.
- Lay one cabbage leaf flat on your work surface. Place about two tablespoons of the beef mixture near the stem end of the leaf. Fold the sides of the leaf inward and roll it up tightly, like a small burrito. Repeat this process until all the filling is used, placing each roll seam-side down in a large baking dish or Dutch oven.
- Whisk together the tomato sauce, beef broth, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Pour this mixture evenly over the cabbage rolls. Cover the dish tightly with a lid or aluminum foil. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 60 minutes, or simmer on the stovetop over low heat for the same duration, until the cabbage is tender and the meat is fully cooked.
- Carefully lift the cabbage rolls out of the dish using a slotted spoon. Place two or three rolls on a plate and drizzle with the remaining tomato sauce from the pan. Garnish with fresh parsley or a dollop of sour cream if desired. Serve while hot and enjoy the savory, gut-healthy goodness.
- Cook Time: 90 minutes