Discover the warmth and richness of Croatian cuisine with our best ever cabbage rolls recipe, a delightful dish that captures the essence of traditional cooking. This beloved classic, known locally as “Sarma,” is a testament to the comforting and hearty flavors that Croatian food has to offer.
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Made with carefully selected ingredients and wrapped in tender cabbage leaves, this recipe promises a culinary adventure straight from the heart of Croatia. Join us as we explore the steps to creating these savory rolls, perfect for family dinners or special occasions, ensuring a memorable dining experience that will leave everyone asking for more.
Why You Will Love this Recipe
You’ll fall in love with this recipe for its perfect blend of simplicity and taste that brings a piece of Croatian heritage to your dining table. The combination of spiced, ground meat rolled into crunchy, yet tender cabbage leaves creates a harmony of flavors that’s both unique and comforting.
Whether you’re a culinary expert seeking to explore international cuisines or a home cook looking for a satisfying meal that warms the heart, this cabbage roll recipe is versatile, nourishing, and sure to impress. Its ability to be frozen and reheated makes it a practical choice for meal planning, ensuring you have a delicious option ready for those busy nights.
What is Sarma?
Sarma is a cherished dish in Croatian cuisine, embodying the warmth and tradition of the region’s culinary practices. It consists of a filling, often a tantalizing mixture of ground meat, rice, onions, and spices, expertly wrapped in cabbage leaves.
These rolls are then cooked to perfection, simmering in a savory broth until they become tender and flavorful. This dish not only offers a delicious taste experience but also represents the cultural heritage and communal spirit of Croatia, often prepared for family gatherings, holidays, and special celebrations.
Sarma’s unique blend of ingredients and preparation method showcases the depth and richness of Croatian cooking, making it a must-try for anyone looking to diversify their culinary repertoire.
Ingredients Needed
- 4 1/2 cup tomato juice (save 4 cups to cover)
- 8 cups water
- 1 large head cabbage, sour
- 4 medium onion
- 4 garlic cloves
- 3lbs ground pork
- 1/2cup uncooked rice
- 1 cup smoked bacon (cut into small pieces)
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp pepper
- 1 tbsp paprika, sweet
- Shoulder ham, optional
How to Make the Best Ever Cabbage Rolls
Preheat oven to 370F.
Saute onion and bacon in a pan.
Mix ground pork, uncooked rice and seasonings together until well combined. Mix in the saute onion and bacon.
Add 1/2 cup of tomato juice into the mix.
Remove the leaves from the cabbage.
Form the meat mixture into a thick patty.
Place the meat inside a cabbage leaf and tightly roll closed.
Fill the bottom of a roasting pan with cabbage leaves and start placing the cabbage rolls on top.
Continue rolling until the pan is full.
Pour the remaining tomato juice plus 8 cups of water until all the cabbage is fully covered.
Cover the pot and place in oven to cook for 2.5-3 hours.
Heat up 3 tbsps of oil with 3 tbsps of flour in a pan. Add 2 cups of water and stir until combined. Pour into the pot and mix to spread around.
Cover and continue cooking for 1 hour at 350F.
What To Serve with Cabbage Rolls
If you’re wondering what is best served alongside cabbage rolls, here are few of our favorite options:
- homemade bread or dinner rolls
- mashed potatoes
- mixed green salad with an simple oil and vinegar dressing
Can you Freeze Cabbage Rolls?
Absolutely! Cabbage rolls are excellent dish to freeze which is why making a large batch is idea. Simply store the rest in air-tight freezer bags and thaw when ready to eat for another time.
Symbol of Croatian Cuisine
The best ever cabbage rolls recipe, or sarma, stands as a profound symbol of Croatian cuisine, embodying the rich traditions and familial warmth that characterize the culinary landscape of Croatia. This dish, with its hearty filling wrapped in tender cabbage leaves, offers a taste of home and heritage, making it more than just a meal; it’s an experience.
Perfect for any occasion, from casual family dinners to festive gatherings, Sarma invites you to explore the depths of Croatian flavors, bringing people together over a shared love for good food.
Best Ever Cabbage Rolls Croatian Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 1/2 cup tomato juice save 4 cups to cover
- 8 cups water
- 1 large head cabbage sour
- 4 medium onion
- 4 garlic cloves
- 3 lbs ground pork
- 1/2 cup uncooked rice
- 1 cup smoked bacon cut into small pieces
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp pepper
- 1 tbsp paprika sweet
- 1 shoulder ham optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 370F.
- Saute onion and bacon in a frying pan.
- Mix ground pork, uncooked rice and seasonings together until well combined. Mix in the sauted onion and bacon.
- Add 1/2 cup of tomato juice into the mix.
- Remove the leaves from the cabbage.
- Form the meat mixture into a thick patty.
- Place the meat inside a cabbage leaf and tightly roll closed.
- Fill the bottom of a roasting pan with cabbage leaves and start placing the rolled cabbage on top.
- Continue rolling until the pan is full.
- Pour the remaining tomato juice plus 8 cups of water until all the cabbage is fully covered.
- Cover the pot and place in oven to cook for 2.5-3 hours.
- Heat up 3 tbsps of oil with 3 tbsps of flour in a pan. Add 2 cups of water and stir until combined. Pour into the pot and mix to spread around.
- Cover and continue cooking for 1 hour at 350F.
More Croatian Recipes to Try
- Croatian Blitva: Swiss Chard and Potatoes
- Croatian Cottage Cheese Strudel
- Croatian Mlinci Baked Noodles
- Croatian Cevapi (Mini Caseless Sausages)
- Croatian Chicken and Mushroom Quiche
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