Holubtsi (Ukrainian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)
Local name: Голубці
In short: Cabbage leaves wrapped around pork, beef and rice, then simmered in a sweet and savory tomato sauce until meltingly tender. It takes about 2 h 30 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 1 h
- Cook
- 1 h 30 min
- Total
- 2 h 30 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 325 kcal
Holubtsi, meaning little doves, are stuffed cabbage rolls served at weddings, holidays and Sunday lunches. Blanched cabbage leaves wrap a filling of minced meat, rice and sautéed onion and carrot, and the rolls simmer slowly in tomato sauce until the leaves turn silky. They improve after a night in the fridge, so many cooks make them a day ahead. Serve with a spoon of sour cream and fresh dill.
Instructions
- Cut out the core of the cabbage. Lower the whole head into a large pot of boiling salted water for 8 to 10 minutes, peeling off the outer leaves with tongs as they soften. Trim the thick central rib of each of 12 large leaves.
- Cook the chopped onion and carrot for the filling in the oil for 6 minutes until soft. Cool, then mix with the meat, rice, dill, salt, pepper and water until well combined.
- Place about 3 tablespoons of filling near the base of each leaf. Fold in the sides and roll up firmly. Do not overfill, because the rice swells as it cooks.
- Line a wide heavy pot with a few torn cabbage leaves. Pack the rolls in snugly, seam-side down, in one or two layers.
- For the sauce, cook the onion and carrot in the oil for 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, then the passata, water, bay leaf, sugar and salt. Simmer for 5 minutes and pour over the rolls.
- Cover and simmer on very low heat for 1 hour 15 minutes, or bake at 170°C (340°F), until the cabbage is soft and the meat filling reaches 71°C (160°F).
- Rest for 10 minutes and serve hot, with sour cream and dill.
Tips
- If the cabbage leaves are hard to peel, freeze the whole head overnight and thaw it. The leaves come off soft, with no boiling needed.
- Use about 3 tablespoons of filling per leaf. Overfilled rolls burst as the rice swells.
Questions and answers
Can I make holubtsi ahead of time?
Yes, they improve on the second day. Cool them in their sauce, refrigerate for up to 4 days and reheat gently.
Can I freeze holubtsi?
Yes. Freeze cooked rolls with some sauce for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat slowly.
How is holubtsi different from other cabbage rolls?
Ukrainian holubtsi are usually made with fresh cabbage and a tomato sauce, while some neighboring versions use soured cabbage leaves. The meat and rice filling is similar.
How long does it take to make Holubtsi (Ukrainian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)?
About 2 h 30 min in total: 1 h of preparation and 1 h 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Holubtsi (Ukrainian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)?
About 325 kcal per serving, with 16 g of protein, 29 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 325 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 16 g |
| Carbohydrates | 29 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 750 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
