Below is a fully detailed, unique, and beautifully written article about Mom’s Classic Stuffed Polish Cabbage, complete with a step-by-step method that’s easy to follow.

🥬 Mom’s Classic Stuffed Polish Cabbage — A Comfort Dish Steeped in Tradition

When you think of old-fashioned comfort food, few dishes capture the heart like Mom’s Classic Stuffed Polish Cabbage, also known as Gołąbki (pronounced “go-wump-kee”). These tender cabbage rolls filled with seasoned meat and rice, then baked in a rich tomato sauce, are the kind of meal that turns an ordinary evening into a nostalgic celebration.

Prepared for holidays, family gatherings, or quiet Sundays, stuffed cabbage is more than just food—it’s a tradition lovingly passed from one generation to the next.

Below is a complete guide that walks you through every step, from prepping the cabbage to creating a perfect tangy-sweet tomato sauce.

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cabbage Rolls

• 1 large green cabbage
• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• ½ lb (225 g) ground pork (optional but traditional)
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp dried thyme or marjoram (traditional Polish seasoning)

For the Tomato Sauce

• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1½ cups beef broth (or water)
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1–2 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice (to balance acidity)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: 1 bay leaf

🥣 Step-by-Step Directions to Make Stuffed Polish Cabbage

Step 1: Prepare the Cabbage Leaves

The success of stuffed cabbage begins with soft, flexible leaves.

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Cut around the core of the cabbage to loosen the leaves.
3. Carefully place the whole cabbage into the boiling water.
4. As leaves soften, gently pull them off with tongs and set aside.
5. Repeat until you have about 12–14 large, pliable leaves.

Tip:
If the thick rib in the center is too stiff, slice off a thin layer to make the leaf easier to roll.

Step 2: Mix the Filling

This hearty filling is the soul of the dish.

1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, cooked rice, onion, garlic, egg, salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme/marjoram.
2. Use your hands or a wooden spoon to blend everything thoroughly.
3. The mixture should feel moist but firm enough to shape.

Step 3: Form the Rolls

Now the fun part—shaping the cabbage into neat little bundles.

1. Lay one cabbage leaf flat on a board.
2. Add 2–3 tablespoons of filling near the base of the leaf.
3. Fold the sides inward, like a burrito.
4. Roll tightly from bottom to top.
5. Set each finished roll seam-side down on a plate.

Please Head On keep  on Reading  (>)