Gołąbki (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)

🇵🇱 Authentic Polish Gołąbki (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)

Gołąbki (pronounced go-womp-kee) are classic Polish comfort food—tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory pork and rice filling, baked gently in tomato sauce.

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📝 Ingredients (Serves 6–8)

For the cabbage:

• 1 large green cabbage (about 3–4 lbs / 1.5–2 kg)

For the filling:

• 1 lb (450 g) ground pork

• ½ lb (225 g) ground beef (optional but traditional in many homes)

• 1 cup cooked white rice (cooled)

• 1 small onion, very finely chopped

• 1 egg

• 2 tbsp milk

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

For the sauce:

• 2 cups tomato passata or crushed tomatoes

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 cup beef or chicken broth

• 1 tsp sugar (optional)

• Salt & pepper to taste

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Cabbage

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

2. Core the cabbage.

3. Place whole cabbage in boiling water and cook 2–3 minutes.

4. Gently peel off softened leaves one by one.

5. Trim the thick center rib from each leaf so it rolls easily.

(You’ll need about 12–16 good leaves.)

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2️⃣ Make the Filling

In a bowl, mix:

• Ground meat

• Cooked rice

• Onion

• Egg

• Milk

• Salt & pepper

Mix gently (don’t overwork).

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3️⃣ Roll the Gołąbki

1. Place about ¼ cup filling near the base of a cabbage leaf.

2. Fold sides inward.

3. Roll tightly like a burrito.

4. Repeat with remaining leaves.

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4️⃣ Assemble & Bake

1. Spread a little sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.

2. Arrange rolls seam-side down in layers.

3. Mix sauce ingredients and pour over rolls.

4. Cover tightly with foil.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1½ hours.

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🍽️ How It’s Traditionally Served

• With mashed potatoes or rye bread

• Often topped with extra tomato sauce

• Even better the next day (very Polish tradition 😉)

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🇵🇱 Traditional Variations in Poland

• Some regions skip tomato sauce and serve with mushroom gravy.

• Some families use only pork + rice.

• In eastern Poland, buckwheat replaces rice.

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If you’d like, I can also give you:

• A Christmas Eve (meatless) gołąbki version

• A slow cooker version

• Or my Polish grandma-style extra juicy secret tips** 😊