Holubtsi Recipe (Ukrainian Cabbage Rolls)

Holubtsi (голубцы) refers to Ukrainian cabbage rolls featuring cabbage leaves wrapped around a savory filling of ground meat and cooked rice. Served with a light tomato sauce, these cabbage rolls offer a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more.

While crafting holubtsi does require a touch of patience, the effort is well worth it. One of the perks of this dish is its suitability for meal prep. You can whip up a generous batch, stash it in the fridge, and savor it throughout the week. Plus, the flavor only enhances as the days go by!

So, read on to see how to make these Ukrainian cabbage rolls!

The Quick Overview of Ukrainian Cabbage Rolls

Holubtsi (Голубцы) truly captures the essence of Ukrainian cuisine. Born from a need for filling meals made from accessible ingredients, these cabbage rolls have evolved from a simple family staple to a celebrated icon. It’s not just a dish; it’s a tradition, a communal experience, a symbol of home and heritage.

These cabbage rolls often grace the tables at festive occasions, from weddings to Easter and Christmas celebrations. The process of preparing holubtsi has become a cherished ritual, bringing generations together to share the joy of cooking and pass on the family recipe.

So, if you’ve been wondering what Ukrainian cuisine is all about, I urge you to try making holubtsi rolls!

Tools to Prepare Holubtsi

Holubtsi recipe doesn’t require any special tools. They include:

Holubtsi Ingredients

Here are the main ingredients to make these delicious cabbage rolls in Ukrainian style.

How to Make Perfect Holubtsi Cabbage Rolls

Now, let’s prepare our cabbage rolls! It might initially seem complicated, but I guarantee it is simple. Just follow me step by step, and you will get the most delicious cabbage rolls.

Step 1: Prepare The Cabbage

Carefully remove the center of the cabbage. Then, in a medium pot with boiling water, boil the cabbage for about 5-7 minutes or until the leaves have softened.

Step 2: Cook The Rice

In a small pot, prepare the rice until it is almost ready. Leave it slightly undercooked.

Step 3: Prepare The Filling

On a cutting board, cut into small cubes the onions and the garlic, and add them to a frying pan. Add the shredded carrots and cook for about 2 minutes, until nice and golden. Finally, add the ground beef, and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Mix Everything Together

In a big bowl, combine the ground beef and the cooked rice, add the seasoning, and combine.

Step 5: Assembling The Cabbage Rolls

Here is the fun part! Making the rolls. Take one cabbage leaf and place a spoonful of the filling in the center. Roll the leaf tightly, folding the sides in as you go. Repeat with the rest of the filling and cabbage leaves.

Step 6: Cook/Fry The Cabbage Rolls

To finish the cabbage rolls, you can either cook them in water for about 5-7 minutes or fry them in a pan with a little bit of olive oil.

Step 7: Make The Sauce

For the sauce, mix tomato paste and sour cream in a small pan, add some salt and pepper, and bring it to a boil.

Step 8: Serve The Dish

Serve the cabbage rolls hot, with tomato sauce and some fresh parsley on top. Enjoy!

Tip And Serving Ideas for Holubtsi Recipe (Ukrainian Cabbage Rolls)

Check out the tips and serving tricks below to enhance the flavor of these cabbage rolls, a cherished delight in Ukraine.

Storage And Reheating Notes for Cabbage Rolls

Hearty cabbage rolls are perfect for meal prep. They retain their flavor and reheat beautifully. So you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

To reheat, use a skillet or frying pan with a bit of oil over medium heat, turning them gently until warmed through and slightly crisped on the edges.

Avoid freezing them, as cabbage’s high water content can make them mushy when thawed. Enjoy them fresh or within a week for the best taste!

FAQs

Try This Unique Take On Cabbage Rolls!

Although this recipe might require some patience and time, once you get familiar with the process, it actually becomes quite simple. And the best part is you can prepare it on the weekend, and enjoy it during the entire week.

If you want to experience a little bit of Ukrainian culture, you can either gather your family and make the cabbage rolls together. Make sure to rate or share this recipe with others. And I would love to hear your feedback in the comments section!