Best 7 Czech Cabbage Rolls Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

**Discover the Culinary Delights of Czech Cabbage Rolls: A Journey Through Taste and Tradition**

In the heart of Europe, where culinary traditions intertwine, lies a dish that embodies the essence of Czech cuisine: cabbage rolls. These delectable parcels of comfort food, also known as zelné závitky, are a testament to the region's rich history and love for hearty, flavorful dishes. Cabbage rolls are a symphony of textures and flavors, featuring tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory filling of ground meat, rice, and aromatic spices. Simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce, these rolls soak up the vibrant flavors of the broth, creating a dish that is both satisfying and heartwarming.

This comprehensive guide to Czech cabbage rolls takes you on a culinary journey through various recipes, each offering a unique twist on this classic dish. Whether you prefer the classic pork and beef filling or are looking for vegetarian alternatives, this article has something for every palate. With detailed instructions and helpful tips, you'll be able to recreate these culinary masterpieces in your own kitchen. So, prepare to indulge in the flavors of Czech cabbage rolls and embark on a taste adventure that will leave you craving for more.

**Recipes Included:**

1. **Traditional Czech Cabbage Rolls:** Experience the authentic taste of Czech cabbage rolls with this classic recipe. Learn how to prepare the cabbage leaves, create the flavorful filling, and simmer the rolls in a rich tomato sauce.

2. **Vegetarian Cabbage Rolls:** Embark on a plant-based journey with this vegetarian version of cabbage rolls. Discover how to craft a savory filling using a combination of lentils, mushrooms, and aromatic spices, all wrapped in tender cabbage leaves.

3. **Cabbage Rolls with Smoked Sausage:** Add a smoky, savory twist to your cabbage rolls by incorporating smoked sausage into the filling. This recipe guides you through the process of creating a harmonious blend of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.

4. **Cabbage Rolls with Creamy Mushroom Sauce:** Take your cabbage rolls to a new level of indulgence with a creamy mushroom sauce. This recipe reveals the secrets of preparing a velvety sauce that complements the hearty cabbage rolls perfectly.

5. **Cabbage Rolls with Sour Cream and Dill:** Embark on a culinary adventure to Eastern Europe with this recipe. Learn how to create a vibrant sour cream and dill sauce that adds a refreshing touch to the cabbage rolls, creating a dish that is both flavorful and visually appealing.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

SLOVAK STUFFED CABBAGE (HOLUBKY OR HALUPKI)



Slovak Stuffed Cabbage (Holubky or Halupki) image

Try this delicious for Slovak stuffed cabbage (also known as holubky or halupki). It's made with ground beef and pork, sauerkraut, paprika, and tomato sauce.

Provided by Barbara Rolek

Categories     Dinner     Entree     Lunch

Time 4h45m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 (4-pound) head cabbage
1/2 cup raw white rice
1/2 cup water
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 ounces (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck
1/2 pound lean ground pork
1 large egg
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon sweet or hot paprika
1 pound canned sauerkraut , drained, juices reserved, and optionally rinsed
1 (14-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

Steps:

  • Remove large outer leaves from cabbage and set aside. Remove core from cabbage. Place head in a large pot filled with boiling salted water . Cover and cook three minutes or until softened enough to pull off individual leaves. You will need 18 leaves.
  • When leaves are cool enough to handle, use a paring knife to cut away the thick center stem from each leaf, without cutting all the way through.
  • Chop the remaining cabbage, still reserving large outer leaves, and place it in the bottom of a large greased casserole dish or Dutch oven.
  • Rinse rice and cook it in 1/2 cup water until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let cool. Meanwhile, sauté chopped onion in butter in a medium skillet until tender and let cool.
  • In a large bowl, mix cooked and cooled rice, cooled onions, beef, pork, salt and pepper to taste, egg, garlic, paprika, reserved sauerkraut juices, and 1/3 cup of the tomato sauce; blend ingredients thoroughly. Don't overmix or the meat will become tough.
  • Place about 1/2 cup of meat on each cabbage leaf. Roll away from you to encase the meat. Flip the right side of the leaf to the middle, then flip the left side. You will have something that looks like an envelope. Roll the leaf into a small tube.
  • Add some tomato sauce in between the layers in the casserole dish or Dutch oven. Place the cabbage rolls on top of the chopped cabbage with sauerkraut and top with all the crushed tomatoes, remaining sauerkraut, tomato sauce, and a few of the reserved whole cabbage leaves.
  • Add enough water to cover completely. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to very low, cover and simmer three to four hours. Watch carefully so stuffed cabbages don't burn.
  • Serve with pan juices and a drizzle of sour cream if desired, mashed potatoes , and crusty bread.
  • Cabbage rolls freeze well before or after cooking and can be made in a slow cooker (see your manufacturer's instructions).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 625 kcal, Carbohydrate 44 g, Cholesterol 175 mg, Fiber 11 g, Protein 48 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, Sodium 1129 mg, Sugar 16 g, Fat 31 g, ServingSize 18 rolls (6 servings), UnsaturatedFat 0 g

CZECH CABBAGE ROLLS



Czech Cabbage Rolls image

Got this recipe from my cousin's wife. She made them for a family get together and they were amazing.

Provided by Belinda Loucks

Categories     Other Main Dishes

Time 3h30m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 lb sausage
1 lb lean ground beef
1 large diced onion
3 small cans saurkraut
1 large head of cabbage
1/2 c long grain rice, uncooked
1/2 c broth (any kind or water)
4 clove diced garlic (to taste)
salt & pepper to taste
1 Tbsp allspice, ground (my own personal addition)

Steps:

  • 1. Core head of cabbage and put in a stock pot with water (core side down) and steam. While steaming prepare meat mixture. Watch and once it is steamed removed and drain water off and let sit with lid on to keep moist.
  • 2. This can be made ahead of time so the flavors will do their thing. I made it the day before and let it set all night in the refrigerator. Combine both meats, onion, rice, garlic & salt and pepper and mix well. Spape your meat mixture into rolls about as long as your index finger and 3/4" in diameter. Wrap your rolled meat mixture in one leaf of your steamed cabbage.
  • 3. Start by putting down a layer of saurkraut on the bottom of your stew kettle/dutch oven, then place a layer of cabbage rolls and continue to do this (2-3 layers is what I had) and you should end up at the top with a layer for saurkraut.
  • 4. Pour your broth (or water) over the top and season more if desired with salt & pepper. Once you are done place on your back burner, cover with lid, and bring to a boil. Once it's boiling lower to simmer, continue with lid still on, and continue for 2-1/2 hours.
  • 5. It is okay to let it sit in the juice as it just give it more flavor. I have thought about adding a can of diced tomatoes but that is not part of this recipe. But it sounds like a great addition to me!

CZECH CABBAGE DISH



Czech Cabbage Dish image

I can only attempt to spell the real name of this dish; Cabushka or something like that! My mother's father was from Czechoslovakia, and he has three sisters who are excellent cooks. I have learned to cook this dish quite happily. At our last reunion, there were three separate bowls with different versions of this same dish; they were all scraped clean!

Provided by dlynn11

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Eastern European     Czech

Time 30m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 large head cabbage, shredded
¼ pound bacon, chopped
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
¼ cup chopped green bell pepper
3 tablespoons white vinegar
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Blanche cabbage briefly in boiling water, remove and drain immediately.
  • In a large skillet, brown bacon over medium heat until opaque; remove and drain on paper toweling.
  • Remove all but 1 tablespoon of bacon grease from the skillet; add the 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and heat over medium heat. Add onion, celery and bell pepper and saute until crisp-tender.
  • In a large bowl combine the prepared cabbage, bacon, sauteed vegetable mix (with oil), vinegar, salt and pepper. Mix well and serve warm, or chill and serve later.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 94.6 calories, Carbohydrate 7.3 g, Cholesterol 7.7 mg, Fat 6.6 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 2.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 231.8 mg, Sugar 3.7 g

SLOVAK STUFFED CABBAGE



Slovak Stuffed Cabbage image

I received this recipe from my grandmother. It was passed down to her from her grandmother. This can be made ahead of time and frozen for a few days prior to cooking. Enjoy!

Provided by Kelly Berenger

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Stuffed Main Dish Recipes     Stuffed Cabbage

Time 2h

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
1 onion, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
black pepper to taste
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
½ cup cooked brown rice
1 ¼ teaspoons garlic salt
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed tomato soup
27 ounces sauerkraut, drained
1 (29 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 medium head cabbage
5 slices bacon
2 tablespoons white sugar
3 cups water

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a pot of water to a boil.
  • Mix beef and pork together. Stir in onion, cooked rice, parsley, salt, pepper, garlic salt and 1/2 can of tomato soup. Mix well.
  • Core head of cabbage, place in boiling water and boil until partly cooked. Separate leaves and trim stems. Reserve about 24 to 32 whole leaves. Cut remaining leaves and line the bottom of large roasting pan.
  • Lightly pack a small handful of the meat mixture and place in the center of a cabbage leaf. Fold top part of leaf over mixture, then fold in the sides and roll until mixture is completely encased. Lay rolls on top of torn cabbage leaves in pan. Place sauerkraut evenly over rolls. Lay bacon on top of sauerkraut. Sprinkle with 1 to 2 tablespoons of sugar. Mix chopped tomatoes and soup with water and pour over rolls. Add additional water to reach top of cabbage rolls.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 1/2 hours or until cooked through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 556 calories, Carbohydrate 31.6 g, Cholesterol 101 mg, Fat 36.5 g, Fiber 6.9 g, Protein 25.9 g, SaturatedFat 13.5 g, Sodium 2095.7 mg, Sugar 16.7 g

OLD-FASHIONED CABBAGE ROLLS



Old-Fashioned Cabbage Rolls image

It was an abundance of dill in my garden that led me to try this. My family liked the taste so much that, from then on, I made my old-fashioned cabbage rolls recipe with dill. This is how to make easy cabbage rolls. - Florence Krantz, Bismarck, North Dakota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h55m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 medium head cabbage (3 pounds)
1/2 pound uncooked ground beef
1/2 pound uncooked ground pork
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce, divided
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon snipped fresh dill or dill weed
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 teaspoon sugar

Steps:

  • Cook cabbage in boiling water just until outer leaves pull away easily from head. Set aside 12 large leaves for rolls. In a small bowl, combine the beef, pork, 1/2 cup tomato sauce, onion, rice, parsley, salt, dill and cayenne; mix well., Cut out the thick vein from the bottom of each leaf, making a V-shaped cut. Place about 1/4 cup meat mixture on a cabbage leaf; overlap cut ends of leaf. Fold in sides. Beginning from the cut end, roll up. Repeat., Slice the remaining cabbage; place in a Dutch oven. Arrange the cabbage rolls seam side down over sliced cabbage. Combine the tomatoes, sugar and remaining tomato sauce; pour over the rolls. Cover and bake at 350° until cabbage rolls are tender, 1-1/2 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 260 calories, Fat 10g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 50mg cholesterol, Sodium 694mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 18g protein.

HOLUBKY (SLOVAK STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS)



Holubky (Slovak Stuffed Cabbage Rolls) image

Make and share this Holubky (Slovak Stuffed Cabbage Rolls) recipe from Food.com.

Provided by littleturtle

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 3h20m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 19

16 large cabbage leaves (from a 2-3 lb head of cabbage)
2 onions, chopped
2 teaspoons butter
10 garlic cloves, pressed
2 cups rice (washed, then cooked halfway with 3 tablespoons butter)
1 lb extra lean ground beef
1 lb ground pork or 1 lb ground turkey
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon sweet basil
1 tablespoon oil or 1 tablespoon lard
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon water
2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
30 ounces water (3 3/4 cups)
4 tablespoons sugar

Steps:

  • Cover cabbage leaves with boiling water, let stand until leaves are limp (2-3 minutes); then drain.
  • Fry onions in butter until translucent, then mix with garlic, rice, meat, egg, milk, and seasonings; mix well.
  • In a large dutch oven, prepare zapraška (similar to roux) by melting shortening over medium heat.
  • Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, until it reaches desired brownness (usually light brown or beige).
  • Add a tablespoon of water and stir until smooth.
  • Be very careful when making zapraška as it is very hot and can cause severe burns if it comes in contact with the skin, also avoid the steam that rises when you add the water.
  • Add the tomato sauce, water, and sugar.
  • Mix well and bring to a boil; allow to boil for several minutes.
  • Place 2-3 tablespoons (depending on size of leaf) of meat mixture in center of each cabbage leaf; tuck in sides and roll to cover meat.
  • Place, seam side down in pot with sauce.
  • Cook, covered, over low heat for 2-3 hours.

CZECH RED CABBAGE



Czech Red Cabbage image

Provided by Joan Nathan

Categories     easy, weekday, side dish

Time 50m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 large onion, chopped (about 1 1/4 cups)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 head red cabbage, shredded (3 pounds)
1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
1 large Granny Smith apple, grated
1/3 cup apple vinegar
3 tablespoons sugar or to taste
1 teaspoon caraway seeds

Steps:

  • In a pot, saute the onion in the vegetable oil until soft. Add the cabbage and salt, and cover. Steam over medium heat for 10 minutes.
  • Remove the cover, and add the apples.
  • In a small bowl, mix the vinegar and sugar, and pour over the cabbage. Sprinkle with the caraway seeds, mix and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes or until the cabbage is soft. Adjust the seasonings to taste.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 131, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams, Carbohydrate 24 grams, Fat 4 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 193 milligrams, Sugar 15 grams, TransFat 0 grams

Tips:

  • Use firm cabbage leaves for easy rolling.
  • Blanch cabbage leaves in boiling water for a few minutes to soften them.
  • To make the filling, use a combination of ground beef, pork, and rice.
  • Season the filling generously with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  • Add some sautéed onions and garlic to the filling for extra flavor.
  • Roll the cabbage leaves tightly around the filling to prevent them from unrolling during cooking.
  • Place the cabbage rolls in a large pot or Dutch oven and cover them with tomato sauce.
  • Bake the cabbage rolls in a preheated oven at 350°F for 1-2 hours, or until the cabbage is tender and the filling is cooked through.

Conclusion:

Czech cabbage rolls are a delicious and hearty meal that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are perfect for a cold winter day or a special occasion. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make this dish at home. So, next time you're looking for a new and exciting recipe to try, give Czech cabbage rolls a try. You won't be disappointed!

Related Topics