Best 7 Nebraska Runza Recipes

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In the heartland of America, where the vast plains stretch for miles and the wind whispers through the fields, there lies a culinary gem that embodies the spirit of Nebraska: the Runza. This savory delicacy is a testament to the state's rich agricultural heritage and the ingenuity of its people. It's a unique sandwich that has captured the hearts of Nebraska and is bound to tantalize your taste buds. Discover the secrets behind this iconic dish and embark on a culinary journey to savor the flavors of Nebraska. This article presents a delightful collection of Runza recipes, each with its own distinct twist, inviting you to explore the diverse culinary interpretations of this beloved sandwich.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

HOMEMADE RUNZAS



Homemade Runzas image

Make Nebraska's famous Runza Sandwich at home! A bread dough pocket, filled with cabbage, onion, and seasoned ground beef, baked until golden brown. This recipe makes one dozen sandwiches but is easily cut in half. OR you can make them and freeze them!

Provided by Michaela Kenkel

Categories     Sandwiches

Time 4h

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 1/2 pounds of lean ground beef
1 small head of cabbage, shredded (about 4 cups)
1 small onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
24 Frozen Bread Dough Dinner Rolls
salt and pepper
melted butter

Steps:

  • Place frozen dinner roll dough on a sheet pan and rise according to package instructions. It will use 2 rolls for each sandwich.
  • While dough rises, begin browning your ground beef and onion in a large skillet. When the meat is about halfway done, add in the shredded cabbage and cover with a lid. Cook until meat and cabbage are done. Drain off any excess grease or liquid. Set aside.
  • When rolls have risen completely, lightly flour your surface. Remove two rolls and form a ball. Roll the ball out into a rectangle approximately 5"x7".
  • Place approximately 1/3 cup of the filling in the center of the dough and spread out from top to bottom.
  • Fold the bottom up and the top of the dough down and press to seal. Fold the left side over, pinching to seal. Then do the right side, gently stretching to cover the left. Pinch closed.
  • Place each sandwich on a greased cookie sheet, seam side down.
  • Let rise again for another 30-45 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Brush the tops with melted butter.
  • Bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until bread dough is golden brown.
  • Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 530 calories, Carbohydrate 67g grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 40g milligrams cholesterol, Fat 20 g grams fat, Fiber 4g grams fiber, Protein 20g grams protein, SaturatedFat 6g grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1 sandwich, Sodium 1370g milligrams sodium, Sugar 10g grams sugar, TransFat 3g grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 0 grams unsaturated fat

NEBRASKA'S HOMEMADE RUNZA



Nebraska's Homemade Runza image

Provided by My Farmhouse Table

Categories     Main Course

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
1/4 cup Sugar
2 pkgs (1/4 oz) Yeast
1 tsp Salt
3/4 cup Milk
1/2 cup Water
1/2 cup Butter
2 Eggs
2 lbs Ground Beef
1 Small Onion, diced
4 cups Cabbage, chopped
2 tsp Seasoned Salt
1 tsp Pepper

Steps:

  • Start by placing 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and salt into a large mixing bowl.
  • Either in a small saucepan over medium heat or a microwave safe bowl, heat the milk, water, and butter to 120-130 degrees F.
  • Pour heated wet ingredients into flour mixture. Stir slightly before adding beaten eggs.
  • Continue by adding the remaining flour, one cup at a time, until when kneaded the dough comes together and is smooth and elastic.
  • Place dough in a greased bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.
  • While dough is rising, cook beef and onion over medium-high heat until meat is no longer pink. Drain.
  • Stir in the chopped cabbage, seasoned salt, and pepper. Stir gently until cabbage is cooked and filling combined.
  • Punch dough down, and divide into 12 equal portions.
  • Working with one piece of dough, roll into a rectangle (approx 6 inches x 8 inches in size).
  • Place a heaping 1/2 cup of filling into the center of each dough piece.
  • Fold dough over filling. Seal and tuck edges.
  • Place onto a greased baking sheet (edges can touch).
  • Bake at 350 degrees F for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.

NEBRASKA'S STUFFED BEEF SANDWICHES



Nebraska's Stuffed Beef Sandwiches image

When I moved to Nebraska, I discovered many ethnic foods that I had never heard of before. A friend introduced me to this runza recipe, a German-Russian beef sandwich, and it quickly became a family favorite. -Dolly Croghan, Mead, Nebraska

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner     Lunch

Time 55m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/4 cup sugar
2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup 2% milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup shortening
2 large eggs, room temperature
FILLING:
2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
2 medium onions, chopped
4 cups chopped cabbage
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Place 1-3/4 cups flour, sugar, yeast and salt in a large bowl. Heat the milk, water and shortening to 120°-130°. Pour over flour mixture; add the eggs. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until blended. Beat 3 additional minutes on high. Stir in the remaining flour; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes., Place dough in a greased bowl; cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onions over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the cabbage, seasoned salt, garlic powder and pepper; cook until cabbage is wilted., Punch dough down; divide into 12 portions and cover. Working with 1 piece at a time, roll into a 6-in. square. Place 3/4 cup meat mixture in the center of each square. Fold dough over filling, forming a rectangle. Pinch edges tightly to seal and place on greased baking sheets., Bake at 350° for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 433 calories, Fat 16g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 84mg cholesterol, Sodium 524mg sodium, Carbohydrate 48g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 23g protein.

RUNZAS



Runzas image

A white roll stuffed with cabbage, beef and onions.

Provided by klinnea

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Pastries

Time 1h50m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 cups ground beef
1 onion, chopped
4 cups shredded cabbage
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
2 cups warm water (100 to 110 degrees F/40 to 45 degrees C)
⅓ cup butter, melted
⅔ cup instant dry milk powder
¼ cup white sugar
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
1 egg, beaten
4 cups all-purpose flour

Steps:

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook and stir ground beef and onion until beef is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. Drain and discard any excess grease. Stir in cabbage and season with 1 teaspoon salt. Continue to cook and stir until cabbage is tender, about 20 more minutes. Set mixture aside to cool.
  • Mix warm water and butter in a large bowl. Combine dry milk powder, sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and yeast in another bowl; stir into butter mixture. Add egg and gradually stir in flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until dough is smooth.
  • Roll dough out to 1/4-inch thick on a lightly floured surface; cut into 4-inch squares. Scoop beef mixture into each dough square. Bring corners of a dough square together at the top and pinch corners together to seal. Place on a baking sheet, seam side down. Repeat with remaining beef mixture and dough. Cover rolls with a damp cloth and allow to rise for 20 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 243.3 calories, Carbohydrate 31.3 g, Cholesterol 41 mg, Fat 8 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 10.9 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 444 mg, Sugar 6.7 g

NEBRASKAN RUNZAS



Nebraskan Runzas image

Provided by Amy Thielen

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h

Yield 8 large runzas

Number Of Ingredients 17

For the dough:
1 1/4-ounce packetactive dry yeast
3 tablespoons sugar, plus a pinch
4 large eggs
3 3/4 cups bread flour,plus more for the counter
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) salted butter, softened, plus more for the bowl
2 teaspoons fine sea salt
For the filling:
1 pound 85 to 90 percent lean ground beef
Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons salted butter
1 large Vidalia onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme (or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried)
1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary (or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried)
1 tablespoon canola oil, plus more for the baking sheets
8 ounces baby spinach

Steps:

  • Make the dough: Combine 3/4 cup warm water (approximately 110 degrees F),the yeast and a pinch of sugar in a large mixing bowl and let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes.
  • Add 3 eggs and whisk to combine. Add half of the bread flour and beat with a wooden spoon until good and thready, about 3 minutes. Add the butter, the remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, the remaining flour and the salt and mix well. The dough will be a little sticky. Let rest 15 minutes.
  • Knead the dough to develop the gluten until it feels tight and smooth, about 5 minutes. Transfer the dough to a lightly buttered bowl, cover and let it rise for 1 hour at room temperature. Then chill in the refrigerator,1 to 2 hours or overnight.
  • Remove the dough from the refrigerator and divide it into 8 even portions. Roll each one into a ball and leave on the counter, covered loosely, to warm up, about 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, make the filling: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef, season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, breaking up the beef, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer it to a bowl.
  • Drain and discard all but a film of the fat from the skillet. Add the butter; when it has melted, add the onion. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until light golden brown, about 15 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme and rosemary and cook 3 minutes. Add the mixture to the bowl containing the beef.
  • Without cleaning the skillet, add 1 tablespoon canola oil. Saute the spinach over high heat until wilted and the excess liquid has evaporated, about 1 minute. Chop the spinach, then add it to the beef mixture and set aside to cool.
  • Roll out the dough: Flatten a dough ball on a heavily floured surface and roll out into a 3-by-5-inch rectangle. Then make wrapping flaps from the four corners of the rectangle by rolling out each corner thinly so you have a thick rectangle with four thinner triangular wings at the corners.
  • Fill the runzas: Spoon 1/2 cup of the beef filling into the center of the dough rectangle and wrap the flaps over it, pinching to close. Flip the bundle over in your hands, gently forming the runza into a fat football shape. Set the runza seam-side down on an oiled baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining filling and dough balls, arranging them on 2 oiled baking sheets. Let the runzas rise about an inch, uncovered, about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Whisk the remaining egg and 2 tablespoons water to make an egg wash and brush it thinly over the tops of the runzas. Bake until golden brown, 25 minutes. Serve hot.

RUNZA SANDWICH - BIEROC



Runza Sandwich - Bieroc image

I learned to make Runzas while working in a Nebraska Deli during high school. This is the recipe that I've used for 30 years - and is by far my favorite recipe. The original recipe was published in a 1979 "Ground Beef Round-Up" Cookbook published by Farm Wife News - and was submitted by Mrs. Voelker, Brownsdale, MN. I have modified it in several ways - including using the bread machine to make the dough.

Provided by p4fb1925

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 2h15m

Yield 10-12 runzas

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 cups shredded raw cabbage (8 oz)
1 lb lean ground beef
1 sweet onion, chopped
1/2-1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper
1 (2 1/2 teaspoon) package yeast
1 cup warm water
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
3 1/2-4 cups all-purpose flour

Steps:

  • Prepare dough in bread machine following steps below. Prepare the meat filling while dough is rising.
  • Filling - Brown beef, onions and seasonings in a large stock pan. Stir the beef often while it is browning - to break it into very small pieces. Drain grease and return beef to pan and add shredded cabbage. Cover and simmer 15 minutes until the cabbage is tender - stirring occasionally. Drain juices and cool.
  • Dough - Place dough ingredients in the bread machine in order according to manufacturer directions. Program for dough mode and remove dough when cycle is complete. Turn out onto floured marble board and divide the dough in half.
  • Roll the dough approximately 3/8 inch thick and cut into 5-6 inch squares. If you prefer, you can instead break off small pieces of dough - approximately the size of a large egg - and roll them out individually.
  • Place 1/4 -1/3 c cooled meat mixture in the center of dough.
  • Bring corners of dough up to the center, pinching to seal the seams. Place seam side down on greased cookie sheet and let rise until doubled.
  • Bake 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.
  • Serve with mustard.
  • Wrap/seal leftover runzas and freeze. Great for sack lunches!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 329.1, Fat 11, SaturatedFat 2.8, Cholesterol 48.1, Sodium 102.9, Carbohydrate 41.6, Fiber 2.4, Sugar 6.5, Protein 15.1

NEBRASKA RUNZAS



Nebraska Runzas image

I was born and raised in NE. All the Runzas I have ever tasted use sauerkraut. So here it is my NE Runza recipe.

Provided by hrlyhny

Categories     Meat

Time 45m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 lb ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup sauerkraut
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon caraway seed
1 loaf frozen bread dough, thawed

Steps:

  • Brown hamburger and onion, drain and add kraut and caraway seed.
  • Cook about 5 minutes.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Divide dough into 8 parts.
  • Roll out each and fill Pinch dough together.
  • Place seam side down on lightly greased baking sheet.
  • Let raise 20 minutes.
  • Bake 15 mins at 350.
  • Brush with soften butter.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ground beef. The better the beef, the better the runza will taste. Look for ground beef that is at least 80% lean.
  • Season the beef well. Use a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to flavor the beef. You can also add other spices, such as paprika or cumin, to taste.
  • Cook the beef thoroughly. The beef should be cooked until it is no longer pink in the center. This will help to prevent foodborne illness.
  • Use a soft bread dough. The bread dough should be soft and pliable so that it can be easily rolled out. You can use a store-bought dough or make your own.
  • Fill the runzas generously. Don't be afraid to add a lot of filling to the runzas. The more filling, the better they will taste.
  • Bake the runzas until they are golden brown. The runzas should be baked until the bread is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. This will take about 20 minutes.

Conclusion:

Runzas are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are perfect for a quick lunch or dinner, and they can also be frozen for later. With a few simple tips, you can make runzas that are sure to impress your family and friends.

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