Stuffed Cabbage may not sound terribly exciting, but is one of those meals, that when done well, is damned delicious and filled with man fueling ingredients.
Is Stuffed Cabbage Healthy? Is it Outdated? What even is stuffed cabbage?
Some say stuffed cabbage is a complicated tiresome meal to make. They call it lazy or boring. Some even whispered it’s an outdated recipe and that only grandma’s from Pittsburgh recall the actual ingredients. Most of the time, these people would be right.
But I’m here to prove them wrong. Sure, stuffed cabbage is one of those dinner recipes that no one is going to jump for joy at. I mean, it doesn’t start and end with steak right? But it is one of those meals, that when done well, is damned delicious and filled with man fueling ingredients. Healthy? It is, when made with lean unprocessed ingredients. It can also be fat and happy if that’s what you’re looking for. So forget whoever those people are saying stuffed cabbage is a old folk’s home Wednesday night special, and show them who’s boss in this kitchen.
One up everyone.
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Cabbage isn’t the only vegetable we can stuff with meaty goodness. Check these recipes out!
Enchilada Stuffed Smoked Poblanos
Smoked Sausage Stuffed Artichokes
Smoked Pulled Pork Stuffed Peppers
Slow Cooker Stuffed Cabbage
Ingredients
- 2 lbs green cabbage. cored and cut into 1" pieces
- 3 tbs vegetable oil
- salt and pepper
- 2 onions minced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 3 tbsp flour
- 28 oz tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 slices white sandwich bread torn into quarters (use good bread, it has to hold up into a paste, not just dissolve)
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 lbs ground beef
- 1 lbs bratwurst removed from casing
- 2 cups cooked rice
Instructions
- Line your slow cooker with several layers of folded aluminum foil to prevent the back side from over cooking. (Trust me, this goes a long way at serving time). Spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Heat the cabbage with 1 tbs oil and 1/2 teas salt in a large bowl in the microwave for 15 to 20 minutes, until softened. Drain the cabbage.
- Heat the remaining 2 tbs oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, and cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Cook. stirring often, until onions are beginning to brown, about 10 minutes.
- Place half of the onion mix in a large bowl.
- Add the flour to the skillet with the remaining onion mixture and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, sugar, and vinegar. Scrap up any browned bits if needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste and let sit for a few minutes on low while you prepare the rest of the recipe.
- When cool enough to handle, add bread and milk to the bowl with the onions.
- Mash with a fork to form a paste. Mix in the beef, bratwurst, and rice. Season with salt and pepper.
- Spread 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce over the bottom of the foil lined slow cooker. Add 1/3 of the meat mix and top with 1/3 of the cabbage. Repeat 2 more times.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
- Remove the foil and allow to cool for 20 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Feel the fuel! Because this stuffed cabbage had me ramped up all week. I know that you made too much. Not to worry. Freeze your leftovers and reheat when you are ready for round two.
Christiane ~ Taking On Magazines says
I’ve never made stuffed cabbage, can you believe that? I think it’s a remnant of my mom making stuffed grape leaves and I wasn’t much fond of that. This casserole, however, it looks amazing. Maybe I’ll start with that and work my way up to rolling. 🙂
mimi says
Very interesting! I never would have thought of this!!
RavieNomNoms says
I love stuffed cabbage. Reminds me of my polish grandmother! She used to make stuffed cabbage every Sunday with kielbasa.