Authentic Hungarian Cabbage Rolls with Savory Tomato Sauce
Indulge in the rich, comforting flavors of Authentic Hungarian Cabbage Rolls, a cherished dish that has delighted families for generations. These delectable rolls feature a savory filling of succulent ground beef and pork, blended with perfectly cooked rice and aromatic spices, all enveloped in tender cabbage leaves. Simmered in a luscious tomato sauce with a touch of herbs, this one-dish meal is perfect for gatherings and can be enjoyed warm or as leftovers. Serve alongside hearty bread or a refreshing salad for a fulfilling culinary experience.
6
Servings
200
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground Beef
1/2 lb (raw)
Ground Pork
1/2 lb (raw)
Salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
Dried Thyme
1/4 teaspoon (dried)
Black Pepper
1 dash (to taste)
Cooked Rice
1 cup (cooked)
Onions
2 large (chopped)
Egg
1 (beaten)
Cabbage Leaves
8-10 (outer leaves)
Tomato Juice
1 cup (liquid)
Meat Paste or Bouillon Powder
1 tablespoon (or 3 bouillon cubes)
Shortening
1 tablespoon (for cooking)
Fresh Parsley
2 tablespoons (chopped)
Flour
1 1/2 tablespoons (to thicken sauce)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef and ground pork. Season the mixture with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, thyme, and pepper.
2
Add the cooked rice, one chopped onion, and the beaten egg to the meat mixture. Blend all the ingredients thoroughly until well combined.
3
Shape the mixture into 8-10 small cylindrical rolls.
4
Prepare the cabbage leaves by parboiling them in a large pot of boiling water for about 5 minutes until softened. Drain and let cool slightly.
5
Carefully wrap each roll in a cabbage leaf and secure them with kitchen twine. Set aside.
6
In a large skillet, add tomato juice and 1 cup of water. Stir in the meat paste (or bouillon) and the remaining chopped onion.
7
Place the cabbage rolls into the skillet and add shortening, parsley, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir gently to ensure the rolls are covered.
8
Cover the skillet and simmer on low heat for about 1 hour, turning the rolls occasionally to prevent sticking.
9
After an hour, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. To thicken the sauce, blend flour with a small amount of cold water to form a smooth paste, then mix it into the sauce.
10
Remove the rolls from the pot, discard the twine, and serve the cabbage rolls hot, with gravy poured over them.
Nutrition Information
8g
Fat
20g
Carbs
13g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Authentic Hungarian Cabbage Rolls?
They are a traditional Hungarian dish featuring cabbage leaves stuffed with a savory filling of ground beef, pork, and rice, simmered in a seasoned tomato sauce.
What types of meat are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for a combination of 1/2 pound of raw ground beef and 1/2 pound of raw ground pork.
Do I need to cook the rice before mixing it with the meat?
Yes, you should use 1 cup of already cooked rice for the filling mixture.
How many onions does this recipe require?
You will need 2 large chopped onions: one for the meat filling and one for the tomato sauce.
How do I prepare the cabbage leaves for rolling?
Parboil the cabbage leaves in a large pot of boiling water for about 5 minutes until they are softened, then drain and cool.
How many cabbage rolls does this recipe make?
The meat mixture should be shaped into approximately 8 to 10 small cylindrical rolls.
How do I keep the cabbage rolls from opening during cooking?
Carefully wrap the meat mixture in the cabbage leaves and secure each roll with kitchen twine.
What ingredients are in the savory tomato sauce?
The sauce is made from tomato juice, water, meat paste or bouillon, onion, shortening, salt, and fresh parsley.
How long should the cabbage rolls simmer?
The rolls should simmer on low heat for about 1 hour.
How do I thicken the tomato sauce?
Blend 1.5 tablespoons of flour with a small amount of cold water to form a smooth paste, then stir it into the sauce at the end of cooking.
Can I use bouillon cubes instead of meat paste?
Yes, you can substitute 3 bouillon cubes for the 1 tablespoon of meat paste.
Is there an egg in the recipe?
Yes, one beaten egg is included in the meat mixture to help bind the ingredients together.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields approximately 6 servings.
What are the nutritional facts for one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 200 calories, 8g of fat, 20g of carbohydrates, and 13g of protein.
What seasonings are used in the meat mixture?
The meat is seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme, and a dash of black pepper.
What is the category of this meal?
This dish is categorized as a One Dish Meal.
When should I remove the kitchen twine?
Discard the twine after the rolls are fully cooked and just before serving them hot.
What should I serve with Hungarian Cabbage Rolls?
It is recommended to serve the rolls alongside hearty bread or a refreshing salad.
Can this dish be made ahead of time?
Yes, it can be enjoyed warm immediately or stored and eaten as leftovers, as the flavors often improve over time.
Is shortening necessary for the sauce?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of shortening to be added to the skillet while the rolls simmer.
What kind of parsley should I use?
The recipe suggests using 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley.
Do I need to turn the rolls while they cook?
Yes, you should turn the rolls occasionally while they simmer to prevent them from sticking to the skillet.
What temperature should I cook the cabbage rolls at?
The rolls should be cooked on low heat in a covered skillet.
How much tomato juice is used in the sauce?
The sauce requires 1 cup of tomato juice.
Is this a traditional recipe?
Yes, it is described as a cherished, authentic Hungarian recipe that has delighted families for generations.
How much total salt is in the recipe?
A total of 1 teaspoon of salt is used, divided between the meat filling and the sauce.
What part of the cabbage should be used?
The recipe specifies using the outer cabbage leaves for wrapping the rolls.
How much water is added to the skillet?
You should add 1 cup of water to the skillet along with the tomato juice.
What is the preparation for the beef and pork?
The beef and pork should be ground and raw when starting the mixture.
How should the final dish be served?
Serve the cabbage rolls hot with the thickened tomato gravy poured over them.