~My Mom's Sublime Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Holubki)~

My mom's stuffed cabbage rolls are more than just a family favorite.  They are the best rendition of this Eastern European, ethnic classic that I can provide to you.  Her holubki (pronounced ho-loob-kee) are requested by our family and get served for almost all holidays.  Whenever my husband Joe and I are visiting my parents she makes a pot of them just for Joe (who would live on holubki if he could or I would let him).  Mom learned how to make stuffed cabbage "on the job" from her mother (my Coaldale Baba who lived in Coaldale, PA), just as I have learned to make them from my mom... which makes me a third generation stuffed cabbage cooker.  

Back in the 1980's and 90's, when she and my dad tailgated with us for all Penn State home games, each year our tailgate group planned an entire Slavic menu around mom's holubki.  Mom would pack up her pots and come to State College and she and I would have a holupki cooking marathon the day before that game.  This is no lie, when mom was making her legendary cabbage rolls, everyone in our group invited guests and we always fed over 60 tailgaters that week. 

I am well aware of how many variations of cabbage rolls exist.  I just finished doing a search on the internet and my head is spinning out of cabbage roll control.  Most cuisines have some sort of cabbage roll in their repertoire, just like they have their own version of crepes, dumplings, flatbread, etc.  Each cuisine makes use of ingredients and resources they have on hand.  For instance:  if they lived in an area suited for raising sheep, you'll find lamb in their cabbage rolls, or, if they lived in climate where vegetables grow year round, you'll find things like bell peppers and chunky tomatoes in theirs.  I will, however, go out on a limb and state:  when I say "cabbage roll", you should say "Eastern European", because that is the cuisine they are most commonly associated with.  While my Eastern European family refers to them as holubki, here are some other names you'll run into as per Wikipedia: golubtsy (Russia); golabki (Poland); halubcy (Belarus); holubtsi (Ukraine); kohlroulade (Germany & Austria); sarma (Balkans & Turkey).  My mother tells me the literal translation of the word holubki is:  "little doves" or "little pigeons".

What all stuffed cabbage rolls have in common is:  They consist of cooked cabbage that has been wrapped around a meat-based filling (traditionally beef, lamb or pork) which has been seasoned with onion, sometimes garlic and spices common to the culture.  A grain of some sort is used to bind the mixture together, with rice or barley being the two most common. Cabbage rolls are rustic, peasant-food and this dish originated as a way to use leftover food. Because of this, you'll sometimes come across versions using ingredients like hard-cooked eggs, sauteed mushrooms and/or pickled cabbage (sauerkraut).  Once the cabbage leaves are stuffed, they can be baked, simmered or steamed in a covered vessel and are eaten warm accompanied by a sauce.  Eastern Europeans top theirs with very simple tomato-based sauces and occasionally a dollop of sour cream. This is a one-dish meal, so don't worry about serving anything else.

If you have hesitated to make stuffed cabbage because you don't have the time to do them justice, that is justified.  On the other hand, if you've hesitated to make stuffed cabbage because you think they're too difficult, once you've visually seen how it is done (first hand or via step-by-step pictures), you'll wonder why you've waited so long.  Each step in itself is really easy... trust me.  And, like most somewhat time-consuming, slow-cooked comfort food made with lots of love, they actually taste better if made a day or two ahead of time.  I have more good news for you: they can be frozen, so if you can make the time, do what I do and make a triple batch:

Part One:  Choosing, Coring and Cooking the Cabbage

~ Step 1.  Choosing cabbage.  My mom pretty much made stuffed cabbage whenever she found really nice cabbage at The Hometown Farmers' Market or in the Tamaqua A&P, usually in the Fall and Winter months.  I remember her saying to me, "look for 3, young, tender, medium-sized, pretty green-colored heads that do not have any splits or tears in them".  I have nothing to add to these instructions.

My husband grows his own cabbage (pictured here) and for some reason the heads seem to be much larger than what I see in the store.  The size of the head does not affect how many leaves you will get, but it does indeed affect how many stuffed cabbage rolls your are going to get, which affects how much filling you need to make.  Here is my estimation of what to expect:

1 large head of cabbage will yield:  14-16 large-sized stuffed cabbage rolls requiring 1/2 cup of filling each (Note:  When my mom is faced with large heads of cabbage, she cuts these large steamed leaves in half, so she ends up with 28-32 medium-sized cabbage rolls requiring 1/4 cups of filling each.  She prefers smaller rolls.  I happen to like larger ones, so I do not do this.)

1 medium head of cabbage will yield:  14-16 medium-sized stuffed cabbage rolls requiring 1/4 cup of filling each.

Yesterday, I steamed one large head of cabbage and 1 medium head of cabbage and ended up with 16 large cabbage rolls, 16 medium-sized cabbage rolls and just 1/2 cup of meat filling leftover, so I know the recipe I am sharing with you today is as accurate as humanly possible.

~ Step 2.  Coring cabbage.  The core is what holds the cabbage leaves to the head.  In order for the leaves to separate easily during the steaming process it is necessary to remove the core.

With a sharp knife, cut around the core to a depth of about 1 1/2"-2", or enough to start a separation of the outer leaves.  

~ Step 3.  Cooking Cabbage.  In a wide-bottomed 12-quart stockpot, bring 8 quarts of water to a rolling boil over high heat.  Gently lower the first head of cabbage into the water.  The cabbage is going to want to float, so, using a long-handled fork, hold it underwater for a minute or two to allow the boiling water to begin flowing through the cracks and crevices between the leaves.

Do not force or pry the leaves loose. Each leaf is ready to pull away from the head when the fork can easily lift it away.  Once each cabbage leaf is free of the head, depending upon its thickness, it will require 15-45 seconds more in the water bath. Each leaf should be just tender enough to fold in half without cracking, yet still firm enough to form a container for the meat filling without tearing.  Pay attention.  The large outer leaves will cook more quickly than the small inner leaves.

~ Step 4.  For each head of cabbage I am cooking I line one 17 1/2" x 12 1/2" baking pan with plastic wrap.  As I take the cabbage leaves out of the pot, I fold them in half and arrange them on the pan. 

It's ok to layer leaves, but my rule is:  one pan per head of cabbage.  

~ Step 5.  RESERVE 3-QUARTS OF THIS FLAVORFUL WATER FROM THE CABBAGE STEAMING PROCESS!  WE'LL BE USING IT AS THE BASE TO MAKE OUR TOMATO SAUCE!  I am so happy my grandmother taught mom and I this "trick", because it is so much better than using water, stock or broth to simmer/cook stuffed cabbage in.

Part Two:  Making the Meat Filling

The following recipe makes enough filling for 3 medium-sized heads of cabbage or one large head and one medium head (like I made yesterday).  I always make enough stuffed cabbage so I can freeze one or two 13" x 9" x 2" baking dishes of it and I highly recommend you do too.  But, in the event you are only cooking one medium-sized head of cabbage (for about 16 medium-sized stuffed cabbage rolls), you'll want to make one-third of the following recipe, which is easy to do and I've included those calculations for you too.

6  pounds freshly ground sirloin (95/5), or 2 pounds per head of cabbage (Note:  Sirloin is my preference, but this recipe can be prepared using extra-lean (90/10) or lean (85/15) without compromise.)

1  pound uncooked, long-grain white rice, or 3/4 cup per head of cabbage

3  cups finely diced yellow or sweet onion, or 1 cup per head of cabbage

4  ounces butter (1 stick), or 1/3 stick per head of cabbage

2  seasoning packets from 1  box of G.Washington's Rich Brown Seasoning and Broth Mix, or 1/2 teaspoon G.W's seasoning mix per head of cabbage (Note:  This WWII-era dehydrated spice mixture was created by Paul J. Campbell in 1937 to replace instant broth/bouillon.  It was a well-known family secret of my grandmother's and I keep it on-hand in my pantry so I can duplicate her recipes without fail.  It's readily available to me at my local grocery store and on-line as well.)

1 1/2  tablespoons salt, or 2 1/2 teaspoons per head of cabbage

2  teaspoons black pepper, or a generous 1/2 teaspoon per head of cabbage

6  extra-large eggs, preferably at room temperature, or 2 eggs per head of cabbage

~ Step 1.  Place the ground sirloin in a large mixing bowl and set aside.

~ Step 2.  Place rice in rice cooker with 3 cups of water (use a standard measuring cup for the water, NOT the measuring cup from the rice cooker). Turn on, to steam.  When the rice cooker shuts off, the rice will be firm and slightly undercooked.  If you're cooking rice on the stovetop, be sure to slightly undercook it!

~ Step 3.  While the rice is steaming:  Prep the onion as directed.  

~ Step 4.  In a 3 1/2-quart chef's pan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in the seasoning packets, salt and pepper.  Add the onion and increase heat to saute, until it is soft and translucent, about 6-8 minutes. Do not allow onions to brown. Remove from heat.

~ Step 5.  In a medium-large mixing bowl combine the steamed rice with the butter and onion mixture.

Set the mixture aside, stirring occasionally (to avoid clumping) until the mixture is cool enough to handle with your hands, about 1 hour.  In the meantime:

 

 

~  Step 6.  Add the eggs to the ground sirloin and, using your hands, thoroughly combine.

Add the cooled rice mixture to the meat mixture and thoroughly combine.  Once again the best way to do this is with your hands.  Trust me on this point, no spoon or spatula please.

Part Three:  Making the Sauce

This incredibly-simple, brothlike-sauce is truly what sets my family's stuffed cabbage apart from the rest. Each and every time someone asks mom or I, "what is in this wonderful sauce", I sooooo enjoy the look on their face when one of us says, "Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup".  Yes folks, I just revealed another one of the best kept secrets of the WWII generation. Stop rolling your eyes and put that fancy can of San Marzano tomatoes back in your pantry.  

For three heads of steamed cabbage, in a 6-8-quart stockpot, place:

3  quarts "cabbage water", reserved from above

4  10 3/4-ounce cans Campbell's condensed tomato soup

1  6-ounce can tomato paste

1  teaspoon sugar

1  tablespoon salt

1  tablespoon black pepper, more or less, to YOUR taste

Note:  My family likes our sauce slightly spicy because it balances out the not-very-spicy cabbage rolls.  If you're in doubt about how much to use on your "maiden cabbage roll voyage", start with half as much pepper.

~ Step 1. Bring sauce mixture to a steady simmer over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Continue to simmer about 5-6 minutes or until smooth.  Taste.  If you decide to add more pepper, continue to cook another minute and taste again.  Remove from heat, cover the pot and set aside.

Part Four:  Assembling and Cooking 

Assembling stuffed cabbage is fun and it goes quite quickly.  As for cooking, like I mentioned above, they can be baked, simmered or steamed.  My grandmother and mother always layered them in a huge pot and simmered them in the sauce... and they are oh so wonderful cooked in that manner.  That being said, after all of this work, no matter how hard they or I tried, cabbage rolls cooked in this fashion tend to break down or fall apart, especially if your eating them on the second day.  I wanted to achieve the same flavor my family does, with a better texture and a premiere presentation.  I decided to change things up a bit.  I've never looked back:

~ Step 1.  Spray one to three 13" x 9" x 2" glass or ceramic baking dishes with no-stick cooking spray, depending upon how many cabbage rolls you are preparing.

~ Step 2.   On a flat work surface, place one cabbage leaf, concave side down, and using a paring knife, trim the thick core vein from the center of it.  Depending upon the size and thickness of each cabbage leaf, this core vein can/will be large or  quite small.  

Note:  This step should not be omitted because it makes the rolling process a lot easier and the finished product more user friendly.

~ Step 2.  Flip the cabbage leaf over, concave side up.  Using a 2 1/2" ice-cream scoop as a measure, place one or two scoops of filling in the center of each leaf.  

Note:  Leaves from a large head of cabbage will require two scoops (or 1/2 cup of filling) while medium-sized leaves will need just one scoop (or 1/4 cup of filling).

~ Step 3.  Lift and wrap the left and right sides of the cabbage leaf around the meat filling.

Lift and fold/wrap the core end up over the filling...

... "roll the roll over", until seam side down.

Continue the process until all cabbage leaves are stuffed, arranging them, seam-sides-down in the prepared pans as you work. Eight large rolls or 16 medium rolls will fit nicely into each pan.

Preheat oven to 300-325 degrees.

~ Step 4.  This picture shows you how to arrange the 16 medium-sized cabbage rolls in each pan. No matter how many stuffed cabbage rolls are in each pan, ladle sauce to within 1/2"-3/4" of the top of the dish, about 3 cups in each. Cover and seal each with aluminum foil. Leaving this headspace at the top is important as steam will build up during the cooking process.

~ Step 5.  Bake on center rack of preheated oven for 2 1/2-3 hours, or until starting to lightly brown on the top.  This is referred to as:   braising.

Remove from oven.  Uncover and ladle 1-1 1/2 additional cups of warm sauce into each dish. Recover with the foil and let rest about 30 minutes prior to serving...

... as is/family-style or portioned into individual warmed serving bowls.

Eastern European family-style comfort food at its best:

My Mom's Sublime Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Holubki):  Recipe yields 16 large cabbage rolls and 13 medium-sized cabbage rolls, or an amount calculated in the above recipe.

Special Equipment List:  cutting board; chef's knife and/or paring knife; 12-quart stockpot; long-handled fork; 1-3, 17 1/2" x 12 1/2" baking pans; plastic wrap; electric rice steamer (optional); 3 1/2-quart chef's pan w/straight, deep sides; large spoon; 6-8 quart stockpot w/lid; 1-3, 13" x 9" x 2" baking dishes (preferably glass or ceramic); 2 1/2" ice-cream scoop; soup ladle; aluminum foil

Cook's Note:  Do not be intimidated by this crazy-long post.  I merely wanted to give everyone a birds-eye view of what to do when making cabbage rolls.  That being said, each and every step, steaming the cabbage, mixing the meat, and making the sauce can be done one day ahead of assembling and cooking without any compromise in flavor or texture!

"We are all in this food world together." ~ Melanie Preschutti

(Recipe, Commentary and Photos courtesy of Melanie's Kitchen/Copyright 2011)

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Comments

[KitchenEncounters]

Jennifer -- My mom would be so pleased! Thank-you so much for sharing -- happy holidays to you and yours! ~ Mel.

[Jennifer kim]

Since 2014 I have made your amazing recipe for Christmas. I’ve made it in homes from Germany to Southern Illinois to Michigan. Everyone absolutely loves it and looks so forward to it! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!!!!!!

Jennifer Kim

[KitchenEncounters]

Joanne -- You made my day. Thank-you for the kind feedback. ~ Melanie

[Joanne Miller]

Thank you sooo much!My grandmother made these, but I could not get the recipe quite right! This is so much like I remembered!

[KitchenEncounters]

Joni - When my mother or I make them this is what we do: Once assembled and cooked, they will keep nicely in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. That said, I recommend reheating them in the microwave, as cabbage does break down a bit upon reheat in the oven or the stovetop. While cooked holubki can be frozen, the freezer will break the cabbage down a bit too.

When making holupki for the freezer, we fully assemble them (roll them up) and freeze them uncooked -- arranging them in packages that will fit in the stockport or casserole we plan to cook them in. We remove them from the freezer, place them, frozen, in the pot or casserole, pour the sauce over them and allow them to thaw as they cook.

Hope this makes sense. If you have any more questions -- just ask. I'm happy to answer them. ~ Melanie

[Joni]

Hi...can anyone tell me how far in advance you can make these? Would they keep for two days if I cook them first?

[KitchenEncounters]

Phil -- I do not have a video of this one You Tube, but I thank you for the idea. I'm going to work on getting that accomplished!

[Phil LaMarche]

Hi thank you for your awesome cabbage roll recipe. Do you have a video of this recipe on You Tube. Thanks again very much...Phil

[KitchenEncounters]

Pleased to meat you Paulette -- I'm so glad you found "my" recipe. Yes, the difference in taste between tomato sauce and tomato soup is distinctive -- both are good, but the latter is the version that my mother and everyone at our Coaldale church used. Enjoy your Lithuanian Day celebration (we used to go to Lakewood Park to celebrate too)!!! Keep in touch. ~ Melanie

[Paulette Vabrinskas]

Thank you for posting your mother's recipe for Holupkis. My father's Lithuanian family is from Shamokin, Tamaqua, New Philadelphia and surrounding areas. We always went to Lithuanian Day at Lakewood Park. My aunt would make Holupkis and when I was staying with her, I noticed she used tomato soup as well. My mother, who is Italian used tomato sauce. My brother is having a Lithuanian Day celebration next week and he asked that I make Holupkis. I found your receipt and plan to use it. Since we are from the same area, this recipe may be very similar to my Aunt's recipe

[KitchenEncounters]

Dani -- You made my day! I can't wait to show my mom your message when I visit her this weekend!!! ~ Melanie

[Dani R]

I have never in my life made cabbage rolls. My grandmother did on occasion but it's not something my husband likes.
Well, I volunteer to cook for a fraternal organization and I chose your recipe. NAILED it.
I have since made these 3 additional times for people that can't seem to get enough. THANK YOU!

[Kitchen Encounters]

Denise -- I'm so glad you came across it. It's a keeper -- no one who's tried it hasn't liked it a lot, and, lots of folks I know use a combination of beef and pork. My PA Deutsch Chicken and Dumplings recipe is perhaps one that might interest you, and, I have an easier version of these holubki posted too, Deconstructed Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, which uses the same ingredients only is made in the crockpot!

[Denise Lucas]

Thank you for sharing your recipe, it is SO much like the recipe my mom used, I do think she used ground beef and pork. She also called them Holubki's and I am sad to say I did not get a chance to write this recipe down before my mom passed away. I have made them with her many times with her and she never measured anything...all from memory. I will be trying these for sure. I also wish I had wrote down her recipe for her chicken n dumplings and her chicken n rice recipes....there is nothing like mom's cooking.

[Kitchen Encounters]

Thank YOU for saying that Susan. When I started writing Kitchen Encounters back in 2010, I was intent on writing the way I feel recipes should all be written -- cookbooks with cryptic instructions make me crazy! Happy Holidays!!! ~ Mel.

[Susan]

Thank you for all the details- you cover all the things I would have wondered about (holding cabbage down with fork, etc) if a recipe didn't cover it. Few people think to write the way you do. I appreciate this!

Great post!

[Kitchen Encounters]

Deb! Thank-you for the nice comment!

[Kitchen Encounters]

Deb -- if you are cooking 4, 13" x 9" x 2" pans, the time and temperature will remain the same. In the event your oven is not large enough to cook them all on one oven rack, half way through the cooking process, take the ones from the top rack and put them on the bottom, and, take the ones from the bottom rack and put them on the top. I can smell them cooking now!!!

[Deborah Webb]

My recipe is a little different but cooking wise should be the same. Love your recipe, going to try it the next time.

[Deborah Webb]

I am cooking my daughters favorite but I am cooking 4 pans at once, what would be the right temp. and for how long ?

[Kitchen Encounters]

Loueita -- you just did!

[Loueita]

They are now resting comfortably under a layer of plastic. It wasn't too late. I can't thank you enough. :-)

[Kitchen Encounters]

Loueita -- the rolled, refrigerated and unsauced cabbed rolls will be just fine until Sunday morning. I suggest covering them with plastic wrap, as, sometimes foil has a "graying" reaction due to the acidity of the cabbage -- it is NOT harmful, it just discolors the top of the cabbage a bit.

FYI: The point you are at right now, rolled and refrigerated, is where my mother and I freeze cabbage rolls. We package them in portions of 6-8 and freeze them uncooked and unsauced. When we take a package out of the refrigerator, we place them unthawed in pot, sauce and cook them.

Keep me posted -- I am here for you!

[Loueita]

Next question: I did roll up the leaves with the meat mixture last night (Thursday). I have two dishes with 16 in each. I covered them tightly with foil and put them in the fridge. Should I have put the sauce on them? I need them for Sunday at 10 a.m. so I will get up early Sunday and bake. Will this be OK do you think? P.S. I cooked a little of the meat mixture and ate it; it is yummy. Thank you so much.

[Kitchen Encounters]

Loueita! I am so happy this was helpful to you -- and, thank-you for letting me know it was -- I really appreciate nice feedback!

[Kitchen Encounters]

Great Stone Face! Here is how I always did it for tailgate: place them in a large pot with a tight-fitting lid. Sometimes it required getting up early, but I reheated them gently, at home, on the stovetop before I left for the stadium. I would wrap the hot pot in a big blanket, for insulation, for the trip to. Upon arrival, I used my campstove, at a low setting, to maintain the temperature. Have fun my friend!

[Great Stone Face]

How would (or did) you reheat the cabbage rolls at the tailgate?

I have a propane camp stove. If I put the rolls & sauce into a covered enameled cast iron Dutch oven on my camp stove, what temperature should I use and for how long would I need to reheat them?

[Loueita]

I googled Make ahead cabbage rolls and found this. I had promised 30 rolls for my church on Sunday by 10 a.m. and then found out I was going to be busy all evening Friday and all day Saturday helping with food for a funeral celebration for a truly great and well known man. This is so nicely detailed. I will make these ahead tonight and get up early Sunday to bake. I already practiced making the sauce. Mine is more like a tomato basil soup. Very tasty.

[Kitchen Encounters]

Thank-you for your nice comments Tammy. As we all know, there are as many versions of this beloved dish as there are cooks who prepare it. I really appreciate your acknowledging the step-by-step photographs, because, when it comes to this recipe, from one stuffed cabbage maker to another: It's more about the method than the actual recipe!

[Tammy C - West Warwick, RI]

Melanie,

This is phenomenal - thank you. I make golobki (my French memere mastered the recipe from my Polish prababcia) and my recipe is very close to yours. I use half ground pork and half ground beef, Uncle Ben's long-grain rice, Campbell's tomato soup, and Hunt's Tomato sauce (instead of the paste). I now use dehydrated minced onions due to an unfortunate incident of not having them in my grocery bag when I got home from the store. I don't add any seasonings but fresh cracked black pepper as I find the soup and sauce have enough salt to my taste. My husband always adds a little salt and pepper when the golobki is on his plate, and we add a few pats of fresh butter to the golobki, smother with the delicious sauce and enjoy. Thanks for taking the time to present your recipe in so much detail and with the pictures. So helpful!

[Kitchen Encounters]

Leslie! Your comment made my day. My mom and dad still live in Tamaqua (Hometown). She will be thrilled when I tell her this! ~ Mel.

[Leslie]

Thank you for this. My mom passed away and we didnt have her recipe. She was a Lithuanian origanally from Shmokin Pa.This is how she made her stuffed cabbage.

[Kitchen Encounters]

PSUinBOSSTON! I am THRILLED to hear that you're following Kitchen Encounters and trying my recipes! I too occasionally grind my own beef in the Cuisinart, but two days ago I simply asked my butcher to grind a sirloin tip roast for me. That being said, TRUST ME, this recipe works just fine with extra-lean (90/10) or lean ground beef (85/15) as well, so don't give my 95/5 standard even a second thought!

As for turkey meatloaf, I use the same mixture to make turkey meatloaf that I use to make my Thai Turkey Burgers. The meatloaf is moist, succulent and full of flavor! So, if you like Asian flavor you might consider giving that a whirl... click into Category 2 or 13 to find that recipe! ~ Mel.

PS... There is no one place to post a question and this is a great one. I'll be using it for this week's Friday Q&A, which will go up on Saturday as I have a WHVL-TV shoot tomorrow!

[PSUinBOSSton]

Hey Mel- I want you to know I am extra special excited to make this. I know I don't always post feedback, but I (at least try to) make almost every recipe you post (my sister and I have found your bacon cooking tip from last year to save loads of time and effort and are very grateful). This one has me especially excited. I have had to travel a lot for work lately, and have had to have countless uninspired hotel and airport meals. This looks like the antidote!

One question. I typically prefer to grind my own beef, but 95/5 looks leaner than I could accomplish. Which is more important? It's probably a placebo effect that grinding my own beef tastes that much better, but would you give that up to get 95/5?

Also, I don't know where to submit a question for the week, so I will attach it here. Turkey meatloaf. Love ground turkey as a substitute, like meatloaf. Can't get my turkey meatloaf to be anything other than boring. What key ingredients will "excite" my turkey meatloaf?!?!?!