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The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving) | |
---|---|
159 | Calories |
8g | Fat |
8g | Carbs |
14g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 10 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 159 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 8g | 10% |
Saturated Fat 3g | 13% |
Cholesterol 122mg | 41% |
Sodium 656mg | 29% |
Total Carbohydrate 8g | 3% |
Dietary Fiber 2g | 7% |
Protein 14g | |
Calcium 58mg | 4% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
This simple recipe for German stuffed cabbage rolls or kohlrouladen is the quintessential German comfort food that satisfies in a macaroni and cheese kind of way. They're excellent when served with boiled or mashed potatoes.
If you crave more spice, try caraway, mustard, or tomato sauce in the meat or the sauce. You also can use any variety of chopped meat you prefer or have on hand in this recipe. Ground beef, pork, chicken, or turkey in any combination works well. In Germany, it's usually a mix of half pork and half beef.
Ingredients
- For the Cabbage:
- 1 1/2-pound head cabbage
- 1 to 2 teaspoons salt
- For the Filling:
- 12 ounces ground beef
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoramÂ
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- For the Cabbage Rolls:
- 1 to 2 strips bacon
- 1 cup beef broth (divided)
- For the Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water (cold)
Steps to Make It
Note: while there are multiple steps to this recipe, this cabbage dish is broken down into workable categories to help you better plan for preparation and cooking.
Prepare the Cabbage
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Gather the ingredients.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
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Peel any old or discolored leaves from the outside of the head of cabbage.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
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Using a sharp knife, cut the strunk or stem out of the cabbage, leaving a cone-shaped hole.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
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Place the cabbage head in a large pot and fill the pot with water to cover or almost cover the cabbage. Add a teaspoon or two of salt.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
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Bring the pot to a boil, remove from heat and let the cabbage sit for several minutes.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
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Peel the outer leaves off, one by one, and drain the water from them. If, after you remove several leaves, the rest are sticking together, place the rest of the cabbage back in the hot water for a few minutes and try again.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
​Make the Filling and Form the Rolls
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While the cabbage water is coming to a boil, mix the chopped meat with the egg, breadcrumbs, paprika, salt, marjoram, and pepper until well incorporated. Do not overmix because the meat will toughen and become pasty.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
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Form 10 to 12 meat rolls that are 2 inches long, using about 1/4 cup meat mixture for each roll.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
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Lay out a cabbage leaf and cut out the thickest vein (only 1/3 to 2/3 of the way up the leaf) as necessary so you can roll the leaf.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
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Place a meat roll in the thinner, cupped portion of the leaf.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
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Fold the roll on three sides, then roll to the thickest part (like a burrito).
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
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Tie it like a gift package (in quarters) with kitchen string or, in a pinch, regular thread. This works well if you have another pair of hands to help.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
Cook the Cabbage Rolls
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Cut the bacon into small pieces and brown it in a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels to be used as a garnish.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
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Brown the cabbage rolls on two sides in the bacon fat.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
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Add 1/2 cup beef broth (or enough to cover the pan to a depth of 1/4 inch), cover the pan with a lid, and simmer 40 to 50 minutes. Add more of the remaining beef broth as necessary to keep the cabbage rolls in 1/4 to 1/2 inch of broth.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
Make the Sauce and Serve
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Transfer the cabbage rolls to a warm serving dish and snip off the string.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
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In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch into 1/4 cup of water.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
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Add the cornstarch slurry to the juices in the pot and bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until thickened.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
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Pour the sauce over the cabbage rolls. Top with reserved bacon bits if desired.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
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Serve and enjoy.
Recipe Variation
- Use dried oregano as a substitute for the marjoram.
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