Polish Cabbage Rolls
Does anyone else feel almost like you are time traveling when making traditional family recipes? My hubby has Polish and Hungarian roots, so we like to experiment with recipes his grandparents passed down. Anytime we need a family hug in food form, we turn to meals like Rustic Hungarian Goulash or Hungarian Chicken Paprikash, that are inspired by our ancestors’ recipes. There is something so comforting about making these dishes, as if we are actually connecting to the past as we cook. This classic stuffed Polish Cabbage Rolls recipe offers the same nostalgic comfort from the old country. This recipe also known as Golumpki or Golabki, features savory beef and pork sausage blended and wrapped together in tender cabbage leaves, all smothered with a tangy-sweet homemade tomato sauce. Every bite is warm and satisfying, with incredible layers of both familiar and exciting flavors. And since cabbage rolls need to slowly cook to soften and stay moist, we figured – why not put them in the crockpot!? I think even great-grandma would be proud of our ingenuity that still honors the traditional basics of a beloved stuffed cabbage recipe.
Ingredients For Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls (Golabki Recipe)
For this traditional Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls Recipe you’ll need one large savoy (or green) cabbage. Look for a cabbage that has fresh and perky leaves… Since they will be boiled and cooked for a long time you want sturdy leaves to work with, so try to avoid heads of cabbage that are on the verge of wilting. To make the Savory Meat Filling you need:
Pork sausage Lean Ground Beef Onion Cooked rice Egg Worcestershire sauce Italian seasoning
And for the Golumpki Tomato Sauce the following ingredients are needed:
Canned crushed tomatoes Canned tomato sauce Garlic Brown sugar Worcestershire sauce Red wine vinegar Hot sauce – your choice, depending on whether you like your stuffed cabbage mild or spicy Italian seasoning
I also recommend garnishing the Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls with fresh chopped parsley at the end.
How To Make Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Golumpki)
Making traditional Golumpki Cabbage Rolls is a labor of love, but is so worth every bit of effort. The result is a warm, comforting, zesty and savory dish that is rich with spice and deep earthy flavors. Try this recipe for Sunday dinner or anytime the family is gathering around the table together for a hearty casual meal. Of course, the best stuffed cabbage recipe starts with… Cabbage!
Step #1: Prep the Cabbage
Firstly, set a large pot of salted water over high heat, and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, use a paring knife to remove the core from the cabbage. Once the water is boiling, gently lower the cabbage into the boiling water. Boil for 2-3 minutes to soften the leaves. Then use tongs to carefully pull the cabbage out of the boiling water. Set the cabbage on a cutting board and let it cool for a minute. Gently pull the leaves off the cabbage, being careful to not tear them, and lay each leaf flat on the cutting board.
Step #2: Make the Golabki Recipe Filling
Next, set out a large bowl. Add the pork sausage, ground beef, chopped onion, cooked rice, egg, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning. Use your hands to mix the ingredients together until the meat mixture is very smooth.
Step #3: Make the Sauce
In another medium bowl, mix together the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, garlic, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, red wine vinegar, hot sauce, and Italian seasoning. Taste, then salt and pepper as needed.
Step #4: Assemble the Crockpot Cabbage Rolls
Now, set up your slow cooker and coat the bottom of the crock with 1 cup of tomato sauce. Then, follow these easy steps for stuffing and rolling the perfect Cabbage Rolls every time: Pour the remaining tomato sauce evenly over the golabki recipe. Cover the slow cooker and set on LOW for 7-9 hours, or on HIGH for 4-5 hours. Serve warm, sprinkled with parsley.
What Can I Serve With Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls?
Traditionally Cabbage Rolls are enjoyed over egg noodles or mashed potatoes. For a lower-carb side dish, try serving stuffed cabbage with Creamy Cauliflower “Mashed” Potatoes. However you choose to serve it, I hope that you will love this family recipe as much as we do. Smacznego!
How Long Will Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls Keep Well?
This dish is certainly best when enjoyed fresh and hot. The longer it sits, the yummy flavors will get stronger but the cabbage will not keep very well. Therefore I recommend storing leftovers in an airtight container for only a day or two. To reheat, transfer the stuffed cabbage to an oven-safe dish and bake at 350 degrees F for about 15-20 minutes, until just heated through. Polish Cabbage Rolls do not freeze well.
Looking for More Satisfying Slow Cooker Recipes?
The Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger Soup Best Easy Swedish Meatballs (Crockpot and Instant Pot) Slow Cooker Brunswick Stew Retro Crockpot Roast Beef (Shredded Beef) Slow Cooker Beef Brisket with Potatoes and Onions
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