German Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Kohlrouladen)

Written by
Jennifer McGavin
Jennifer McGavin learned to cook German food while living in Germany for 11 years and has worked in the food industry for many years.
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Jennifer McGavin
Updated 10/30/20
German Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
SilviaJansen/Getty Images
Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 60 mins
Total: 90 mins
Servings: 10 servings
Yields: 10 cabbage rolls
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
159 Calories
8g Fat
8g Carbs
14g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
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.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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 marjoram 
  • 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

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Peel any old or discolored leaves from the outside of the head of cabbage.

  3. Using a sharp knife, cut the strunk or stem out of the cabbage, leaving a cone-shaped hole.

  4. 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.

  5. Bring the pot to a boil, remove from heat and let the cabbage sit for several minutes.

  6. 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.

​Make the Filling and Form the Rolls

  1. 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.

  2. Form 10 to 12 meat rolls that are 2 inches long, using about 1/4 cup meat mixture for each roll.

  3. 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.

  4. Place a meat roll in the thinner, cupped portion of the leaf.

  5. Fold the roll on three sides, then roll to the thickest part (like a burrito).

  6. 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.

Cook the Cabbage Rolls

  1. 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.

  2. Brown the cabbage rolls on two sides in the bacon fat.

  3. 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.

Make the Sauce and Serve

  1. Transfer the cabbage rolls to a warm serving dish and snip off the string.

  2. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch into 1/4 cup of water.

  3. Add the cornstarch slurry to the juices in the pot and bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until thickened.

  4. Pour the sauce over the cabbage rolls. Top with reserved bacon bits if desired.

  5. Serve and enjoy.

Recipe Variation

  • Use dried oregano as a substitute for the marjoram.

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