Turkish-Style Cabbage Rolls
A comforting and flavorful dish that warms the heart, featuring cabbage leaves stuffed with a savory mixture of rice, ground meat, and spices.
Ingredients
For the Cabbage Rolls
- 1 medium head green cabbage Blanched to make leaves pliable.
- 1 lb ground beef or lamb Can use a mix of both.
- 1 cup long-grain rice, rinsed
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika (sweet or smoked)
- 1 tsp dried mint
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ¼ cup olive oil For the filling and cooking.
- 2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup water
- optional: plain yogurt for serving For garnishing.
- optional: fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Cabbage
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Carefully remove the core from the cabbage and submerge the whole head in the boiling water. Blanch the cabbage for about 5 minutes until the outer leaves are tender. Remove and let cool before peeling off the leaves.
Make the Filling
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, rinsed rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, paprika, dried mint, and cumin. Mix well until all ingredients are incorporated.
Stuff the Cabbage Leaves
- Lay a cabbage leaf flat on a clean surface. Place a generous spoonful of the filling at the base of the leaf. Carefully fold in the sides and roll it up tightly. Repeat this process with the remaining leaves and filling.
Bake the Cabbage Rolls
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large baking dish, spread a layer of tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes on the bottom. Arrange the cabbage rolls seam-side down in the dish, packing them snugly together.
- Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the rolls and add water to the dish. Drizzle with olive oil. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to keep the steam in. Bake for about 45 minutes until the cabbage is tender and the filling is cooked through.
Serve
- Once cooked, let the cabbage rolls sit for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm with a dollop of yogurt and a sprinkle of fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
For a deeper flavor, consider adding a splash of lemon juice to the filling mixture. Leftover cabbage can be chopped and added to the filling for extra moisture and flavor. These cabbage rolls are great for meal prep and freeze well.