Hungarian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Töltött Káposzta) 🇭🇺

Ingredients:

• 1 large cabbage (or 12–14 cabbage leaves)
• 500 g ground pork (or pork and beef mix)
• 150 g uncooked rice
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp Hungarian sweet paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the sauce:

• 2 tbsp lard or oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp Hungarian sweet paprika
• 400 g tomato sauce
• 1 L water or broth
• 2 bay leaves
• 200 g sauerkraut (optional, for traditional flavor)

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Instructions:

1. Carefully boil the cabbage leaves for 2–3 minutes until softened. Drain and let cool.
2. In a bowl, mix the ground meat, rice, onion, garlic, egg, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Place a spoonful of filling onto each cabbage leaf and roll tightly, folding in the sides.
4. Heat lard or oil in a large pot and sauté the chopped onion until soft.
5. Remove from heat and stir in paprika.
6. Add tomato sauce, broth, bay leaves, and sauerkraut if using.
7. Arrange the cabbage rolls in layers in the pot.
8. Cover and simmer gently for 1½–2 hours until the rice and meat are fully cooked.
9. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.