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    Home » Our latest posts » Beef and Lamb

    Hungarian Stuffed Cabbage: an Old World Tradition

    January 17, 2017 Filed Under: Beef and Lamb, Main Courses with Meat

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Hungarian Stuffed Cabbage (Toltott Kaposzta is a traditional dish of cabbage leaves stuffed with meat and rice and cooked in a savory tomato sauce.

    Stuffed Cabbage is a traditional Hungarian dish of meat and rice, wrapped in cabbage leaves simmered in a savory tomato sauce.

    cabbage rolls on a plate with bread and text overrlay "Hungarian stuffed cabbage"

    Every year around Christmas time my mother-in-law makes a huge batch of Hungarian Stuffed Cabbage for Christmas Eve just like her mother before her.

    They are really easy to make, but I must warn you. The day they are cooked the entire house will smell like cooked cabbage.

    If you like that smell, great! If you are like her children, you will want to open some windows.

    These are good when made, but are even better reheated. She usually makes them a few days ahead of time then reheats them for Christmas Eve or whenever anyone wants some.

    Hungarian Stuffed Cabbage

    cabbage rolls on a plate with bread and text overrlay "Hungarian stuffed cabbage"
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Ingredients
     

    ROLLS

    • 1 head green cabbage
    • 1 pound ground beef
    • 1 pound ground pork
    • ½ cup uncooked rice
    • 1 medium onion (chopped)
    • 1 clove garlic (minced)
    • 1 egg
    • 2 tablespoons paprika (preferably Hungarian)
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme

    SAUCE

    • 29 ounce tomato sauce (large can)
    • 1 can tomato soup
    • 2 tablespoons paprika (preferably Hungarian)
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme

    Instructions
     

    • Bring a stock pot about half full of water to a boil. Add the cabbage and boil for a few minutes. Drain the water and rinse with cold water. Peel leaves off the head and set aside.
    • Mix meats, rice, onion, garlic, egg, 2 tablespoons paprika and 1 teaspoon thyme with a few tablespoons of tomato sauce together.
    • In a large pot combine tomato sauce, tomato soup and remaining spices with a little bit of water.
    • Scoop a palmful of meat mixture onto a cabbage leaf and roll like a burrito, place in pot with tomato mixture.
    • Simmer for 1 to 2 hours. Serve immediately, or let cool and refrigerate then reheat before serving.

    Sound tasty? Share it with other!

    317 shares

    Other Hungarian Recipes

    poppy seed roll on a plate with text overlay "traditional Hungarian Kolache"
    Poppy Seed or Almond Kolache
    Hungarian pork sausage on a plate
    Kolbasz (Hungarian Sausage)
    Peppery Pickled Red Cabbage - quick red cabbage salad or condiment in a sweet and peppery vinaigrette.
    Peppery Pickled Red Cabbage

    Until next time, happy eating.
    ~Audrey

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sammi Ricke

      January 17, 2017 at 10:39 am

      Great recipe! My mom is full Hungarian and I always want to make her more meals that remind her of her heritage. Thanks for sharing this one, Audrey!

      Reply
      • Audrey

        January 17, 2017 at 11:57 am

        I hope she likes it. I have a few other Hungarian recipes like Kolbasz (sausage) and red cabbage salad.

    2. Mrs Shoes

      January 22, 2017 at 12:51 pm

      A tip from my Grandma... freeze the whole head of cabbage for a few days, then thaw it in cold water, peeling the leaves away gently. This makes separating the leaves without breakage much easier & no need for blanching at all, they will roll up very easily.

      Reply
      • Audrey

        January 23, 2017 at 9:37 am

        Great tip! Sorry I had to edit the second part of your comment, but it wouldn't get approved with the links.

    3. Marilyn Lesniak

      January 23, 2017 at 4:30 pm

      Thank you for sharing your delicious recipe at the #RecipeSharingParty. I look forward to what you will share next week! We hope you’ll come back again next Thursday when we open our doors at 9:00 AM EST. Pinned, Yummed, Tweeted!

      Reply
      • Audrey

        January 24, 2017 at 9:25 am

        Thanks Marilyn, I look forward to the party every week.

    4. Sarah Eliza @ devastateboredom

      February 07, 2017 at 1:15 pm

      Intrigued! I don't know if these are up my ally or not cuz I've never had anything like them before... totally inviting myself over next time you make them!

      Reply
      • Audrey

        February 10, 2017 at 3:32 pm

        Think meatball wrapped in cooked cabbage. Many cultures have similar recipes (stuffed grape leaves, etc.)

    5. Amy (Savory Moments)

      December 06, 2020 at 1:00 pm

      These look amazing! We always make galumpki cabbage rolls, but these ones look a little different and I'll have to try them.

      Reply

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